British Gas Collective Fix December 2016

grahamn

I've just tried to switch from Sainsbury's to the BG Dec 2016 collective switch. After the initial communication from BG about my switch date and meter readings, I heard nothing.


Rang them up the day after it was meant to happen to ask when they wanted readings, only to be told they had them (they were not actuals and they were over estimates)!!! After half an hr on the phone with BG the correct actuals were entered.


Then today I get an email from BG saying they want my readings for my switch over, quoting the switch date that was 3 days earlier than the email; they go on to say, otherwise an estimated read will be used!! So have now gone online and supplied the same reading yet again.


If that wasn't enough, Sainsbury's send me a bill, but no mention of it being final, or mentioning any switch.


This is not very slick so far. I sincerely hope I'm not double billed here by what is effectively the same organisation!


I hope the savings made, make the hassle worthwhile.

Mayd

They have transferred my credit balance over to BG and also took £50 off for my final bill which is about right so I thought it would be OK to cance the direct debit

gill5blue

Hi,
Ive never done anything like this before, so a few questions.




Will the DD be fixed or will the rate be fixed?


tia

b33r

gill5blue wrote: »

Hi,
Ive never done anything like this before, so a few questions.




Will the DD be fixed or will the rate be fixed?


tia

The rate per kWh will definitely be fixed (until dec 2016). The direct debit amount will also be fixed initially at a rate determined by what you've put as your usage in the cheap energy club site however they may vary it if they think you're going to behind or ahead over the year as time goes on. Some people prefer to pay this way (to spread the cost equally over a year)however after moving if you ring British Gas and ask to move to a variable direct debit (they call it energy smart) you would then submit meter readings monthly and the amount taken from your direct debit would be for the exact amount used (so higher amounts in winter and lower in summer for example)

gill5blue

thankyou b33,
Lovely clear explanation.
gill5blue

YKay

Thank for posting this,

I currently have both of my supplies with British Gas, BUT my gas is Pre-Pay, and my electric is direct debit.

The tariff I am currently using is Fix & Fall January 2017, would I be able to switch to the Collective Fix 2016? The reason I ask is because one is Pre-Pay, and one isn't.

The deal seems to save me £402 per year!

Electric Currently: 12.970 kWh
New Deal: 8.537 kWh

Gas Currently: 4.050 kWh
New Deal: 2.656 kWh

schiff

That seems an odd arrangement WADR! If you are happy that the figures you have extracted are accurate and the saving as big as you say, wouldn't it be worth going over to DD for both fuels. And there is a benefit being on DD for both as you probably know.

YKay

PS. Can you get this deal by calling up, or does it have to be online?

schiff

YKay wrote: »

PS. Can you get this deal by calling up, or does it have to be online?

It has to be online via Martin's Cheap Energy Club link - this is an extract from his much longer discussion on the topic:

"How to get it: When I say it's 'hidden', that's not a dig at BG - it's just you can't get it direct as it's a collective switch (where an intermediary asks energy firms to bid to provide a tariff) via MoneySupermarket.

As we're part of the same group, our Cheap Energy Club has the British Gas 12 months fix & we give £30 dual fuel cash-back (even if you're switching BG to BG), which you won't get via MoneySup. As your price depends on usage & location, we do a full comparison."

Remember there's not much time - till December 2nd (which is next Wednesday!) in fact.

YKay

schiff wrote: »

It has to be online via Martin's Cheap Energy Club link - this is an extract from his much longer discussion on the topic:

Remember there's not much time - till December 2nd (which is next Wednesday!) in fact.

Ahh, I know, I am panicking about this!!

I only moved into my new home this week, and not too familiar with gas and electric suppliers, I have usually just gone along with what ever was in the property.

Can anyone please answer:

My Electric is Direct Debit, and my Gas is Pre-Pay. I believe that I won't be able to get the deal as they both need to be Direct Debit to qualify for Dual Fuel. How long does it take for them to switch me to direct debit, and is there a cost? Worried I won't make it in time for the deal.