British Gas threat but not with British Gas

butterbear

HI All

On Saturday letters arrived from British Gas saying that they will be applying for a warrant to change our meter to a pre- paid because of an outstanding amount. But our energy is supplied by Sainsbury's and my partner pays Sainsbury's diretc.

My partner rang Sainsbury's and they told him they will contact British Gas. However he done this when we had a card through the door from British Gas for the same thing and it obviously was not enough to set things right.

I want to send a letter to British Gas but am not sure what to put, also is it worth sending something to offgem too? I tried calling British Gas on Saturday and explained that we are not a customer of them but the person on the other end of the phone was unhelpful.

Are there any templates for this sort of thing?

I don't like the idea of leaving it to Sainsbury's to clear up and would like to do something ourselves to ensure that it is. I hate the thought that BG could turn up with a warrant and we havent done anything!

AnotherJoe

Do you owe BG money ? You might be better off posting on the energy forum, I do know that BG and Sainsbury have a relationship something along the lines of Sainsbry effectively being a reseller for BG.

fermi

Sainsbury's energy acts as an agent for BG, but your supply contact is actually with British Gas.

http://www.sainsburysenergy.com/products-and-services/energy/our-energy-tariffs/standard/terms-and-conditions.html

butterbear

Thank you for the replies however they are not really pointing me in the right direction.

My partner pays sainsbury's for gas and electricity and is not behind, they was a short period where he fell behind but has since caught up. All statements etc come in the name of Sainsbury's. I am aware that British Gas are the suppliers or whatever you call it to Sainsbury's however that does not explain why they have suddenly decided that money is owed direct to them when payments have been made to Sainsbury's- I am pretty sure we do not have to pay twice for utilities.

My question is what do we do? As mentioned previously my partner spoke to Sainsbury's who said they would speak with British Gas and set things straight however they said this before and we have still had this letter arrive. I would like to put something in writing to British Gas to ensure that this is cleared up but am unsure what to send. Should we ask for a satement of account from Sainsbury's and send this?

The fact is that we do not owe anything to British Gas as we have paid Sainsbury's

AnotherJoe

As I posted earlier, try on the energy forum where others may have encountered this before and have some advice. Due to the special relationship between Sainsburys and BG this isn't the same as you getting a letter from BG but you get your supply from say, EON. Had you actually read the Ts&Cs that fermi listed, you'd see you actual relationship is with BG not Sainsburys. In effect Sainsburys seem to be an agent for BG, so you area customer of BG.

So This isn't really a debt free question, it's an energy supplier FUBAR question. Post on the energy forum for advice.

butterbear

Thanks I'll post on the energy forum.