Collective Switch

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie

Chrishazle wrote: »

So I'm not the only one wondering what the heck is going on with BG! I must have been one of the first to sign up (switching from Sainsburys energy BACK to BG, was a BG customer from May 2007 to Dec 2014!), got the "welcome to BG" email 4th Feb, 2 more emails about setting up my password (which I did) 16th Feb then request for first meter reading 24th Feb - which I gave using the link provided in the email, also put the same reading into my Sainsburys accounts so both companies had the same readings for last and first.

No emails from BG since then, looked online at my Sainsburys account and see I'm now on their standard tariff as the Feb 2016 fix had expired, called BG (2 days ago), my account still not set up, talking to the collective switch team "I'm flagging your account to keep tabs on it, will check in a couple of days and call you".

Sainsburys standard tariff is somewhat more expensive than the BG tariff, I'm wondering if, once BG get their act organised, they'll use the readings I gave on 24th Feb to start my account - and close the Sainsburys account.

Almost as chaotic as a few years back when I tried to switch to Scottish Power and eventually found that the main electricity meter database had wrong info about my meter, whcih stopped the transfer. Thankfully that error has been corrected!

Hi Chrishazle, sorry to hear of the delay in getting your BG account all set up on the Collective Switch Tariff.
Rest assured, there will be no problem using the transfer meter reading you submitted on the 24th of Feb to close down your Sainsbury Energy account & get the new account set up with us.
It sounds like everything's now in hand & a colleague in our Collective Switch Team is now monitoring this.
However, please give me a shout if I can help with anything further. You can email me directly at talktous@britishgas.co.uk. Please include your full address & any reference number given. Please also quote your MSE Username and MSE Forums in the subject heading. Cheers, Jamie.

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie

robbieroy wrote: »

I have the same story as many others regarding this collective switch. Was due to be switched over on 23rd Feb but I'm afraid that I am still waiting despite trying to submit meter readings via the app, online via the computer and even submitted them a few days ago by phone.
Contacted the collective telephone number the other day only to hear a recorded message saying the control room had been evacuated!
Worst switch experience ever.
RR

Hi robbieroy, nothing to worry about. You should be able to submit your meter readings at https://www.britishgas.co.uk/OpeningMeterRead/Anonymous-read/Entry/ If any probs please email them over to me at talktous@britishgas.co.uk. You’ll just need to include your full address & any reference number given. Please also quote your MSE Username and MSE Forums in the subject heading. Cheers, Jamie.

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie

greatuncle wrote: »

I decided to take advantage of the Martin Lewis collective switch from Sainsbury`s Energy to British Gas, hoping for the best but expecting the usual hassle and so it came about. For dual fuel I was quoted a monthly payment of just £42.47. Down from £70.Excellent.
Received an e-mail on the 26th Feb informing me the account was active from the 25th and could they have my initial readings. Didn`t see the email until the 27th. Submitted the readings online. Message tells me they are "not what we expected" and that estimates had already been used.
Another email from BG arrived 3rd March telling me they`ve cancelled my direct debit "as asked". By whom??? So I phone and after waiting what seems an eternity get to speak to the usual hapless telesales person who doesn`t know who cancelled the DD or why. But suggests it might be because the amount has been changed to £56+. If British Gas were new to game it might have some excuse but it seems even the simplest of things are just too much for them. BG run Sainsbury`s Energy, so you would have thought it was a doddle for them to switch things around.

Hi greatuncle, not what we like to hear. I trust my colleague you spoke to earlier has now sorted everything for you. However, if I can look into anything further please email me directly at talktous@britishgas.co.uk. We’ll just need you to include your full address & any reference number given. Please also quote your MSE Username and MSE Forums in the subject heading. Cheers, Jamie.

ubdai

British_Gas_Rep_Matt wrote: »

Hi Ubdai, I understand it's not a great first impression but I'm sure you won't regret your decision. Just so you know there's a specific way to submit readings for the opening of your account rather than a bill & it's possible you were submitting reading to be used for a bill. You can use the following link https://www.britishgas.co.uk/OpeningMeterRead/Anonymous-read/Entry/ to submit your opening readings or if it's easier just email your details to talktous@britishgas.co.uk, including your MSE Username in the subject heading. Cheers, Matt

Arslan Sharif has just emailed me again saying that the meter readings that the call center (obtained from Scot Power) could not use due to 'technical issues'.

'We're having some technical problems with our website. We would be grateful if you could try to resubmit your reading in 24 hours, or call our automated phone line free on 0800 107 0224*.

Please have your Customer Reference Number to hand, shown on this email to the right, and choose option 4 from the menu.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience.

:mad::(

basketcase

...and I've not changed yet!

My switch date is supposed to be the 7th - I had an Email on 23 February telling me so. BG are supposed to be contacting me again within 2 weeks of that date.

However, I've not heard a dicky bird and switchers with far earlier dates than mine are still struggling to get switched. The Hydro did write a 'sorry you're leaving' letter, saying I had till 1 March to change my mind. It's not looking promising and I'm starting to wonder if I should have...

Is everyone having this trouble?

M271

basketcase wrote: »

...and I've not changed yet!

My switch date is supposed to be the 7th - I had an Email on 23 February telling me so. BG are supposed to be contacting me again within 2 weeks of that date.

However, I've not heard a dicky bird and switchers with far earlier dates than mine are still struggling to get switched. The Hydro did write a 'sorry you're leaving' letter, saying I had till 1 March to change my mind. It's not looking promising and I'm starting to wonder if I should have...

Is everyone having this trouble?

I'm in exactly the same situation as you. Signed up on 16th Feb, I chased by email how it was progressing on 23rd and had Welcome to BG email stating starting date of 7th March, had another email from BG on 24th with message 'Everything is in the correct place for you to join us. Your welcome pack should be out very soon. There has been a slight delay in welcome packs coming out due to the volume of customers transferring to us.' Had email from my current supplier 1st March 'sorry your leaving....' but nothing more from BG no welcome pack, emails, requests for meter readings etc.. I emailed BG collective switch on 3rd March asking about progress but no response yet. I hope things get sorted soon because I'm starting to regret signing up to this switch.....and the authorities wonder why people are reluctant to swop suppliers!!

nanacraggs

Is anyone else having problems with submitting their meter readings. I have tried 4 times in response to their request for readings, on line and by phone, and they send an email to say they are having trouble processing readings on the website. I have emailed customer services and am awaiting their reply

MSE_Dan_L

nanacraggs wrote: »

Is anyone else having problems with submitting their meter readings. I have tried 4 times in response to their request for readings, on line and by phone, and they send an email to say they are having trouble processing readings on the website. I have emailed customer services and am awaiting their reply

Hi Nanacraggs

Can I point you in the direction of my earlier post on this issue?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5415092

Hope this helps.

MartinGPerry

Its getting worse, despite calls from BG customer support assuring me my case was being personally handled to make sure all was ok etc etc, I can see that a further three gas transfer work orders have been placed meaning that once again BG think my current supplier have rejected the transfer. We all know by now that they only make three tries before BG abandon the transfer, so it seems that once again BG have cocked this up.
I'm wishing I'd never heard of this deal and it will be a long time before I trust Money Saving Expert saving advice again.

kittykitten

Have just spoken to BG collective team, who tell me my gas and electricity did switch on 3rd March, and I need to supply meter readings within 5 days of that date! Have submitted meter readings online as suggested above, but should I be slightly concerned I haven't had anything from EDF (previous supplier)? At what point do I cancel DD with EDF?

Sorry if I'm being dim, but I've never done this before so don't know how it's supposed to work.