British Gas - 'Tactical' offers

Widget1

I swapped to dual fuel with British Gas in September 2011 in my new home. The operative said they'd give me £75 credit in 12 months time over the phone for swapping. Just rang up today asking where my credit is, and the operative said that as the previous occupant had used British Gas for their gas supplier, that I would not be credited. He admitted that I was promised this last year even though the original operative knew I would not be entitled, and it is British Gas POLICY to give 'tactical' offers - meaning they are allowed by British Gas policy to offer it over the phone even though they know you won't get it. It is British Gas POLICY to LIE. I swapped to Cooperative Gas and Electric today. Saved myself £140 per annum. Be warned everyone.

Wywth

Widget1 wrote: »

I swapped to dual fuel with British Gas in September 2011 in my new home. The operative said they'd give me £75 credit in 12 months time over the phone for swapping. Just rang up today asking where my credit is, and the operative said that as the previous occupant had used British Gas for their gas supplier, that I would not be credited. He admitted that I was promised this last year even though the original operative knew I would not be entitled, and it is British Gas POLICY to give 'tactical' offers - meaning they are allowed by British Gas policy to offer it over the phone even though they know you won't get it. It is British Gas POLICY to LIE. I swapped to Cooperative Gas and Electric today. Saved myself £140 per annum. Be warned everyone.

First of all, well done on seeking out a better deal elsewhere. :T
Presumably you followed the MSE advice on how to do that?
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

As for broken promises, I think I would be inclined to make a formal complaint if I were you
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/contactus-personal-details/complaints/gas-electricity.html

I'm sure, if it ends up that way, that the ombudsman will force the supplier to abide by the terms they previously agreed with you.

backfoot

I started a thread concerning this worrying misselling tactic.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57455031#Comment_57455031

Definately make a written formal complaint. Let us know how you get on.

ollski

The credits are a payment when changing supplier. If you are new to the property I cannot see how you are not entitled, in fact by not getting it would there not be data protection issues re the previous occupant?

backfoot

ollski wrote: »

The credits are a payment when changing supplier. If you are new to the property I cannot see how you are not entitled, in fact by not getting it would there not be data protection issues re the previous occupant?

I am confused by the above.

What credits? Are you saying BG 'promise' anyone switching this credit? Is it always £75 or a negotiable amount. Does it apply via comparison sites?

What has data protection got to do with it?

They have either promised and recorded the promise or they haven't and the OP is making it up. It could of course be misselling but presumably there will be a record of the call taker if the OP makes a complaint.

backfoot

Any more information ollski?

dogshome

Don't just moan, you are in a position of srength so get angry to a positive effect.

Though BG now claim that they don't give cash inducements to inherited customers moving from their Standard expensive tariff to a cheaper BG tariff, the fact is that they did so to persuade you to stay with them and made a 'verbal' contract at that time to the tune of a £75 rebate

Don't under estimate 'Verbal' contracts - BG Business use the ploy all the time to sign up commercial customers over the phone

They great thing is that at the present time, you owe BG money - Their Final Bll
WRITE to BG heading the letter Complaint setting out your conversations when you Switched between their tariffs.
They in the first instance are likely to deny the conversation, so you then go back and ask for copy of the recording, they will then probably say it's either missing or one wasn't made - At this point you go to the Ombudsam, or even before if BG haven't given a satisfactory answer 8 weeks from the date of your Complaint letter

Your strength is that this conversation was about a customer changeing tariff, on which depends BG's right to bill you - Not to record this type of conversation is not in BG's interests and niether is that they should lose it - It's unavailability would speak volumes for your position

Get the letter out a.s.a.p, and include in it that you will not pay the Final Bill till the matter is settled, and by the way if you haven't done so already, cancel your D/Debit to BG