British Gas - no gas connection

insanegloss

It's not BG you need to be annoyed with, it's whoever set the specification for the meter reading flows at privatisation I'm afraid, that why those boxes are there to fill as they are an industry standard specification.

It might be worth collating the MPANs with blank meters and getting someone to send them in bulk to the suppliers RPU? Something will get done then I'd imagine, if you speak to the right people.

[Deleted User]

You already gave me the answer in saying that theres no software set up by BG to flag up anything the "boots on the ground " have to say. Things like dangerous dogs at large in gardens are very important things to be highlighted for any future visits. We are in quite a lot of danger from some of the beasts roaming houses and gardens, attack dogs , drug dealers defence dogs. Its just not acceptable from big suppliers like BG to have such a lousy system. I ve been to hospital enough times with dog bites to test the system doe snt work. I understand that any thing we put in "comments " interrupts the billing system if its got to be pulled out and someone has to spend the time typing in any dangers or faults, but as usual with BG, they dont like spending money on safety procedure.

ANGLICANPAT

Im shocked at what you say regarding reporting things like dangerous dogs being ignored. A bloke was killed in his own garden yesterday by a dog out of control --now would be a good time to highlight that problem to the press , its outrageous that utilities workers are taking risks that could and should have been warned about.

[Deleted User]

ANGLICANPAT wrote: »

Im shocked at what you say regarding reporting things like dangerous dogs being ignored. A bloke was killed in his own garden yesterday by a dog out of control --now would be a good time to highlight that problem to the press , its outrageous that utilities workers are taking risks that could and should have been warned about.

I have had bites from dangerous dogs, all the details were given to both BG and my company ( Accuread at the time ) to warn future meter readers, but absolutely no mention is made of the fact on our handheld computers. It would be a simple thing to give us advance warning of any problems ( like the OPs initial complaint ) but nothing has ever been done about any warnings at all. It interferes with the billing procedure and costs money at BGs end, who can ammend the files. The killing of a pensioner yesterday highlights the dangers we have to face. We are in much more danger than the postman who at least get the decency to be warned of ALL dangers by Royal Mail. But thats BG for you, a company so devoid of safety procedures that they have recently taken to personally badgering, by phone, 92 year olds on zimmer frames to supply their own meter readings. They are nt bothered at all of anyone s safety, just so long as their profits are increased. They are a ruthless company. None of the other big 6 has resorted to that tactic

Lolli101

Update on original post.

30 minutes before the meter was removed someone called me about my unpaid bill then exactly 1 week after the meter was removed someone called to read the meter?!
For the next few weeks I had constant calls from British Gas saying that I had to pay the bill even though I had received a cheque for £20.00 from British Gas for compensation for my constant complaints?!

Then I received several letters threatening me that British Gas would break in to my home to fit a pay as you go meter if I did not pay the bill?
Then I received a letter from the BG authorised officers Richburns threatening to enter my property to either fit a payg meter or disconnect my non-existant gas supply and for that privilege they would charge me £202.00???
I called them and asked them to record my telephone conversation with them where upon I explained for the umpteenth time that I had lived in my property since 1993 and have never had any gas supply and that the meter was removed the 1st week in July and yet I am still being harassed by BG every 2nd day by way of telephone and continued threatening letters.
The lady left a message for me later that day saying they had closed my case and returned it back to BGas and yet I still received another threatening letter???

I have read an article in the paper about a pensioner seeking compensation from BGas for 7 years of harassment from BG over payment for his non existent gas supply and I am now wondering if I should try the same?

Maybe I should invoice BGas for the my time and hours I've put in over 21 years, the telephone costs I've incurred and for the inconvenience and stress they have caused me.

In this day and age of technology there really is no excuse for such horrendous customer service and it certainly doesn't take 2 months to update the records they have for non gas supply to my property.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Lolli101 wrote: »

Maybe I should invoice BGas for the my time and hours I've put in over 21 years, the telephone costs I've incurred and for the inconvenience and stress they have caused me.

In this day and age of technology there really is no excuse for such horrendous customer service and it certainly doesn't take 2 months to update the records they have for non gas supply to my property.

You can invoice BG for the last 6 years (5 in Scotland). Anything previous to this is statute barred.

As for the records, I'm afraid it's the contrary - in this age of technology most companies systems are in a right mess. Things get upgraded on the hoof without any long term thought, not surprising really considering how quickly technology moves.

I worked for the business supply arm of a major supplier, and we were upgrading to a unified SAP system. It was discovered there were over 100 legacy areas to be migrated over, and the entire project had taken 3 years when I left, and to my knowledge still isn't complete. The business arm was about 1/4 the size of the residential arm.

Still, that's nothing compared to the NHS IT debacle, which was ditched after 13 years and £12.7bn was spent on it.

firefox1956

I think I would be taking this to the Ombudsman.............
Its completely out of hand now.
I do feel quite sorry for you !!

C_Mababejive

Maybe your doing too much? Like a lot of things in life, the more you service it, the worse it gets. Its like a naughty child that you keep giving too much attention to. Youve done more than enough now just do nothing, get on with your life. If anything consequential flows from it,seek legal redress.

Lolli101

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Maybe your doing too much? Like a lot of things in life, the more you service it, the worse it gets. Its like a naughty child that you keep giving too much attention to. Youve done more than enough now just do nothing, get on with your life. If anything consequential flows from it,seek legal redress.

OK did nothing after Richmans said they had closed the account and passed it back to British Gas and I spoke with British Gas afterwards to complete my application for the Warm Home Discount where the helpful employee stated that it takes a great deal of time to de-register my removed meter off the National Grid map and he apologised profusely for the constant problems I had experienced with British Gas finally reassuring me that my account had now been updated and that I should not be harassed any more.

Today I received another British Gas letter 'Notice of Disconnection' stating if I do not resolve the matter within 7 days they will add £256.00 in charges to apply for a warrant of execution, enter my home and fit a pre payment meter?
Oh and to advise me that they have passed my account to another Collections Agency?

Thinking that tomorrow I might contact FOS.

How many collection agents and British Gas employees do people have to speak to before British Gas resolve and close my account?

Downright ridiculous, stressful, frustrating and actually makes me want to be rude to people who are not to blame!

Down with British Gas