British Gas standing charge for no meter!

Somniac

Our landlord decided to put central heating in our rented property in February. We tried to get a meter by BG installed at that time but could not because of asbestos in the meter cupboard.
The asbestos problem is now resolved and the meter was installed by BG September 27th.
Our bill shows that they have charged us a standing charge from March! It amounts to 60 quid!
This is not kosher is it?
The standing charge should apply from the date of meter installation surely?
I have emailed and rang but have had no response.
Getting through to them on the phone is a nightmare. A wait of 20 mins plus at the moment.
Any advice please?

Nada666

Yes, this is not reasonable. But the computer will just see your account dating from February. You will have to give them time to sort out a manual adjustment. If this is not done as a matter of course then you will have to write again. Don't waste time or money on phone calls. Use the heading on the next letter you write "COMPLAINT". Give them eight weeks after 27 Sep, though, unfortunately.

Somniac

Thanks for that.
I am narked though.
Their Customer service sucks.

Nada666

Are you really that short for cash? If so you can phone again now and insist or cancel and run. But if you just ride with it and proceed with a formal complaint chances are you will receive an extra £20 for your inconvenience.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Somniac wrote: »

Thanks for that.
I am narked though.
Their Customer service sucks.

There is a high probability this isn't BG's 'fault', they will have been informed from transco (or IGT) that a meter was installed. They can't intuit that the install didn't take place due to the asbestos issue.

As previously, write a complaint letter. They have do act on it accordingly. You may even get a gesture of good will payment.

Somniac

National grid did not install the meter. British Gas installed the meter so they should have known there was an issue donchya think?
We have had endless conversations on the phone about the whole thing with BG.
They told me they would never install a meter on a wooden board fitted on top of the asbestos, but that is exactly what they have done.
I even still have an email from them assuring me in March that I would not be charged until the meter was installed so... yeh...their customer service does suck.
As for being short of cash Nada 666, rather a rude comment I thought. Do you really think that is the issue here?
If so, we have very different views of standards of service.

They have now credited us with the money charged with much apology.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Somniac wrote: »

National grid did not install the meter. British Gas installed the meter so they should have known there was an issue donchya think?
We have had endless conversations on the phone about the whole thing with BG.
They told me they would never install a meter on a wooden board fitted on top of the asbestos, but that is exactly what they have done.
I even still have an email from them assuring me in March that I would not be charged until the meter was installed so... yeh...their customer service does suck.
As for being short of cash Nada 666, rather a rude comment I thought. Do you really think that is the issue here?
If so, we have very different views of standards of service.

They have now credited us with the money charged with much apology.

British Gas may have installed the meter, but the shipper is charged with keeping the database of live meters maintained. Donchya know?

That said, BG should have recognised the meter wasn't installed, and informed the relevant parties immediately. It sounds like their processes "suck", but I would hardly extend that to their customer service - indeed your final sentence confirms this!