British Gas - Advise Required

chris1012

A long story short - it has taken British Gas 9 whole months to take over my electricity account which was previously with EDF.

During those 9months I spent over £50 on calls to 0845 numbers, sent over 50emails and had over a dozen broken promises about when my account would be taken over.

If it wasn't for the dual fuel discount, DirectDebit Discount's, a price freeze plan and multiple broken promises of dates of a take over, I would have simply left.

Anyhow they have finally taken over my account last week and have offered initially £100 as a good will gesture!...

In the last 6months I made it clear that I would be seeking COMPENSATION for all the costs that I have occurred and for my wasted time.

Not once did they say they would not compensate me and the lady from the Complaints senior team (who was handling my case since November 2012) also stated she would be compensating me for the problems once sorted.

I refused the £100 on the basis it was a good will gesture (not compensation), my edf bill difference over the 9months was around £120, my phone call bills was around £50 and the hasstle hasn't been taken into consideration.

British Gas responded by using up the good will gesture to £150 and said they do not provide compensation as it cannot be measures a s each customer will have different expectations to when it comes to compensation.

Well why agree multiple times when I clearly used the word compensation and now respond on the basis you do not provide compensation!?


What should I do?
Multiple lies while trying to take over my account and more lies when dealing with my compensation.

Any advise would be much appreciated!

GingerBob_3

Take the £150 then move back to EDF at the earliest opportunity. It's not worth further hassle to get more than £150. Next thing BG will be screwing you over at the CRAs - they report your account, but EDF don't - another good reason to leave BG and return to EDF.

chris1012

Thanks for your response.

What are the CRA's?

spiro

chris1012 wrote: »

Thanks for your response.

What are the CRA's?

Credit Reference Agency

chris1012

why would they report me?

GingerBob_3

chris1012 wrote: »

why would they report me?

They report account details of all their customers to the CRAs on a monthly basis. NPower and E.On do the same. So far as I know, the other suppliers don't yet do so.

The danger with this is that they could inadvertently put a late payment or default marker against your name, especially if you're in a dispute with them, and this would have serious implications when applying for credit. If you can, it's best to avoid utility and service provider companies that report to the CRAs.

chris1012

How many days do I have left to change over?
I have my gas account with BG for the past 4 years.

Would it be worth to try and see if they settle at £200 and if they do stay with them?
She has been pretty prompt in responding (2-3days).

Joyful

British Gas have freephone numbers so should not have cost you anything but time for your phone calls.

chris1012

I do not have a landline and 0800 is chargeable from most mobile phones (or at least with Orange).

2013yearofthehouse

chris1012 wrote: »

I do not have a landline and 0800 is chargeable from most mobile phones (or at least with Orange).

For future reference: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cut-cost-0800-mobiles

I've used 0800buster and 0800wizard with no problems.

chris1012

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »

For future reference: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cut-cost-0800-mobiles

I've used 0800buster and 0800wizard with no problems.

Thanks.

I know about them website and should of refereed to them.
What I thought would be initially quick calls became time consuming due to BG's negligence and mis comms from the offshore team.