British Gas - Too quick to blacklist?

MrAverage

Hi

In October I moved into a new house, which had British Gas as a supplier, so when we moved in we didnt have to wait for Gas.
Just after Xmas & New year, we received the 1st quarterly bill. Now as this came in the 1st week of january & us not having any idea when the bill was coming, it did come as a surprise as you normally get billed mid month with payment due by the end?

During January I continued to get constant harrassment off BG as to when payment was coming. I dont get paid til the 28th so that was the earliest I could do this. Despite this bill being just 15 days overdue they have blacklisted me on my credit record, even though I paid this amount. BG refuse to remove the default. I think its unfair as the payment was late but not defaulted by more than 28 days.

Is there a way I can get this corrected as I can prove the bill is paid? BG refuse to enter into a removal as they claim it was late, which it was, I dont dispute it. Even after I paid I continued for 3 days to get harrassment by phone as to when I was paying a bill I already paid!

Is this company really this bad or is it just me?

I have a direct debit set up now but based on their lack of cooperation in helping or diversity I am considering moving suppliers.

Any advice on how this can be corrected is appreciated.

Thanks
MrA

Tixy

When you say blacklisted and a default - do you mean it is shown as a late payment marker for 1 month?

If you paid after the due date on the bill then they are entitled to put on that entry. If you haven't tried already then you could try writing to them explaining the situation and asking if they will remove it as a goodwill gesture.

If it is just a missed payment it won't 'blacklist' your credit file. If it in the only negative and all other accounts are always paid on time then within a few months it will likely have very little impact on your ability to be accepted for new credit products.

MrAverage

Hi Tixy

Yes it shows as a 1 - Which still negates your score?

But the bill has been paid in full, yes it was 2 weeks late but not 28 days or greater.
It infuriates me as I have been trying to rebuild a credit record only to have this & when I called BG they flat refused to remove it, even though I paid in full. They are not interested in helping people.

Vectis

You moved into a new house in October, yet you weren't expecting a gas bill at the end of the first quarter (some time in January)?

MrAverage

No We moved in the end of October hence we assumed the bill would also be in at the end of January or billing period for then. BG have never sent a cycle of billing to us.

Tixy

A letter asking for a goodwill gesture sometimes gets further than a phone call (because it gets through to someone with more authority) so I would say that was worth a shot. Especially pointing out that you never received any terms from them (if you didn't).

How long did they give you to pay the bill?

The missed payment may affect the credit reference agency score, but in all likelihood within a few months it wouldn't have a big impact on potential lenders.

MrAverage

Hi Tixy

We were given 2 weeks to pay the bill which didnt arrive til 1st week of January. We had never been on quarterly bills before so didnt really know how the billing process worked. We really expected the bill in the middle of the month with payment due at the end as we had commenced the tenancy at the end of October.

Gordon_Hose

Are you wanting to purchase anything on credit? If not, don't worry about it. 1 late payment marker is not going to have a huge effect.

MrAverage

Hi Gordon

Not at the moment but I have tried very hard in recent years to get everything on my record straight.
After a messy divorce & inherited debts from the ex I have battled to pay off all the outstanding debts & did feel quite proud but I fumed when I see this.
Will it have a diverse effect if I apply for credit or will it just show as a blip or an elephant?
Thanks

MrA

Thrugelmir

MrAverage wrote: »

Is this company really this bad or is it just me?

Late payment of bills is a problem for business. So yes they'll chase for payment and register late payments.

Would you be happy if your wages weren't paid on the due date?

Make sure you have the money for your bills. Even if it means spending less at Xmas.

CreditCrunchie

Yes they are bad. Most companies don't report this so soon as they make allowances for the fact that most people will clear a small missed payment to them within a month. A loan company I recently spoke to said they wouldn't usually consider doing something as drastic as marking someone's credit file until the payment is 60 days late, or they felt it was willfull.

I had the same issue with BT when I was a few days late paying a bill (that I was disputing as they were overcharging me!). Anyway they did agree to remove the marker when I rang up and asked for a goodwill gesture, so it is worth a shot. Then follow up with a letter.