National grid rip off!!!!!!!!

ultraman90

We have been living in our house for close to 10 years now and we have always used electricity and not gas.Originally the cul de sac we live at only had a electricity supply and then later on the national grid put their main gas supply pipe into the close.
About two years ago we were deciding whether or not to put central heating in to replace the electric storage heating system, so we had a gas point or meter connected to the main supply pipe near our close but in the end we didn't fit the central heating system and left things as they were without connecting to the supply pipe.
Today we got a GAS BILL off our electricity supplier ( E-ON )for £3.98??
WE DON'T USE GAS BUT A GAS BILL??
Phoned the suppliers up and after getting sent through to different departments (billing then disconnections etc etc...) they say it's E-ON'S standing charge for having a meter even though we don't use gas?? and it's going to cost me £81.?? to have the meter removed:eek::mad:.
The phone operator was as baffled as i was to why i have to pay this charge, but she says from April 2012 there is a standing charge that E-ON charges for their meters or equipment even without the connection.
What is the solution to not paying the charges or without paying £81.?? to have the meter removed???
Talk about rip of britain this is another lets screw the public exercise just like petrol/diesel prices at the pumps.
So a lesson for the people out there DON'T FIT A METER UNTIL IT'S NECESSARY.

jd87

You have been severely misinformed or you have misunderstood what you have been told. National Grid do not charge consumers any sort of standing charge, ever. You should remove your slanderous accusations.

Perhaps the charge relates to an Independent Gas Transporter? Or perhaps ever since you had your gas meter connected you have been on a no-standing charge tariff, but now your supplier has put you on a different tariff where they (the supplier) now charge you a standing charge?

Either way it is impossible that this charge relates in anyway to National Grid.

spursdebs

"You have been severely misinformed or you have misunderstood what you have been told. National Grid do not charge consumers any sort of standing charge, ever. You should remove your slanderous accusations"

The written word is libel the spoken word is slander.

maninthestreet

I wouldn't call £3.98 a rip-off - did you pay NG anything for fitting the meter??

ultraman90

I stand corrected ,but there are people out there willing to pay for something for nothing and that's not a rip off??no wonder this country is in trouble with finances, National Grid workers should not be allowed to comment on this post.Get a life.
There is Not enough control on these energy companies and they can change and charge whatever they like at any time.
I still think that charging me £81.?? is a RIP OFF for removing a meter that is easily accessible and all there is is a couple of nuts and then it's out.

dude89

ultraman90 wrote: »

I stand corrected ,but there are people out there willing to pay for something for nothing and that's not a rip off??no wonder this country is in trouble with finances, National Grid workers should not be allowed to comment on this post.Get a life.
There is Not enough control on these energy companies and they can change and charge whatever they like at any time.

If you don't like it switch your gas supplier to ebico who don't charge any standing charges. People complained that tariffs with two tiers (presumably what you were on) were confusing and would prefer tariffs with a set standing charge and then a set price per kwh so that is what your energy company did. And now your complaining, so presumably you would prefer a different tariff which fits your needs. And then if energy companies started to create tariffs to suit everyone's needs, people would complain that there are too many tariffs which makes the market more complicated. Looks like a never ending circle of complaints and resolutions which others don't like.

Standing charges cover the upkeep of the network which would deliver the gas to your property. Just because your not using gas doesn't mean that the pipes aren't being maintained etc

So how much do you think they should charge to remove a meter? You have to consider the labour charge, insurance, training, office overheads, transportation costs, storage or disposal of meter etc

Nada666

Unfortunately there are lots of foolish (or heartless far right) people campaigning to forcibly reintroduce standing charges. There are plenty of idiotic consumer groups also on their side. £4 is cheap - some tariffs charge £18 per month for just gas. You should direct your ire towards Richard Lloyd of Which?, Ed Davey, Ofgem et al rather than National Grid.

dude89

Nada666 wrote: »

Unfortunately there are lots of foolish (or heartless far right) people campaigning to forcibly reintroduce standing charges. There are plenty of idiotic consumer groups also on their side. £4 is cheap - some tariffs charge £18 per month for just gas. You should direct your ire towards Richard Lloyd of Which?, Ed Davey, Ofgem et al rather than National Grid.

I believe eon introduced standing charges when their price increases took effect mid jan. so depending on when to bill was produced this could cover just a few days upto 3 weeks.

Though I maybe mistaken when they introduced the standing charge

vuvuzela

ultraman90 wrote: »

I still think that charging me £81.?? is a RIP OFF for removing a meter that is easily accessible and all there is is a couple of nuts and then it's out.

It's really not quite that easy to safely remove a meter... :eek:

cajef

ultraman90 wrote: »

National Grid workers should not be allowed to comment on this post.Get a life.

What is that comment about, have you proof that anyone that posted here is employed by the National Grid.

lemontart

the charges are by your supplier not national grid so it is an issue for you to take up with them. It is not actually clear from your post if you actually have had a gas meter installed. If there is a gas meter installed which would have been done at the request of your supplier then your supplier would have had to pay for that.

The best thing is if you choose not to use gas is to ask your supplier to remove the meter the arrange for a permanent disconnection in the street.

Or as others have suggested if you do wish to use gas move to an alternative supplier

.