British gas farce - help

pheonixmich

I've had the same problem for the last 2 years with British Gas. Ive had bills that are 70 pages long, a dozen letters received in a day, huge bills that I can't understand, then most of it credited back to me in the next post! Huge delays transferring the services, debt letters, my bank account emptied of over £5000 by mistake, then a cheque for nearly £2000 lost for over a year, BUT THE MONEY WAS REMOVED BY THEM FROM MY ACCOUNT, threats to break in and remove meters got as far as the agents being at the front door before they realized their error!
Each time i complained, I was told it would be resolved, when each time it wasn't, I received heart felt apologies - its not the staff on the front line, so I tried not to get angry with them.
I was offered £90 compensation, but after 7 complaints and the whole lot being transferred to Executive complaints, it was increased to £1000, however, when I bought the account up to date, I was told that they would not now be honoring the compensation, not even the £90
The whole situation caused me to have a stress related seizure in May, since then I have struggled to cope with everything. The person I am now dealing with has been a lot kinder than the lady, Anita, in Executive Complaints who mislead me into paying the bill by offering me the compensation, she was very cruel.
I have been asked to pay about £650, which is half of the current outstanding bill of approx £1500.
I am so stressed that I think I should just agree. BUT, I feel that they have been so unkind, dishonest, misleading, that they have caused me so much anguish and pain that I should fight for proper compensation so that they don't feel like they can do this to someone else.
I just don't know how to do this, I'm wondering who to turn to for help - wondering if someone with far more clout than me would like to pick up the gauntlet and help me with this?

userlol50

I don't have an answer for you but I have experienced similar. After missing the odd payment I've had direct debits cancelled, and cancelled again when I tried to reinstate them. than then demand letters and a threat to come to my property and force me to take a pay as you go meter. I'm throwing all my money at the debt and then I'm going to switch.

dogshome

With so many problems, it's unlikely anyone on this forum can help.

The Citizens Advice Bureau are the Govts designated agency for Energy complaints, so best to make an appointment with your local branch.
Take all the paperwork with you and best if you have already sorted it into date order

matelodave

I learnt many years ago to take notes and use either e-mail or registered (or signed for) mail rather than keep having a go on the phone.

By keeping records with the dates & times, who you spoke to and copies of letters sent and received - even to the point of saving the signed for receipts and checking that they've been signed for - makes it a sight easier than trying to explain stuff over and over again.

It's also a good idea to keep them for a few years as well, just in case.

It may sound like paranoia but it helps sort stuff out when you can't remember who said what to who or when or when a demand comes in from out of the blue. Saving bills & statements for at least the statutary six years is also a good idea.