Just switched from SSE to British Gas

paullawrence5

Hello. Using one of the comparison tools I switched from SSE to British Gas. I've just noticed that they didn't set up the DDM which has left 1 larger amount to pay than you would hope. The thing that is most concerning is that the monthly amount they are looking at is higher than was quoted, and also higher than I was paying before I switched. Can I do anything about this? I sent them an email querying this and it took them quite some time to respond. Thanks for any help.

System

paullawrence5 wrote: »

Hello. Using one of the comparison tools I switched from SSE to British Gas. I've just noticed that they didn't set up the DDM which has left 1 larger amount to pay than you would hope. The thing that is most concerning is that the monthly amount they are looking at is higher than was quoted, and also higher than I was paying before I switched. Can I do anything about this? I sent them an email querying this and it took them quite some time to respond. Thanks for any help.

Hi - welcome to the forum. Your post is a little short on detail. What matters when you switch is the tariff cost (standing charge and unit price) and your projected usage in kWhs/year. Together these give you an annual cost. Without knowing whether you switched from a fixed or standard variable tariff, it is difficult to guess why your DD has risen. Energy prices, particularly electricity, have increased over the past 12 months.

As far as the missing DD is concerned, then the new DD amount should be set to clear the total cost of your energy at the end of the 12 month period. For example, total energy cost is £660 or £55 per month. One DD is not claimed, so new DD amount for the next 11 months is £60. You will only pay for the energy that you use at the agreed tariff rate. DD payments are nothing more than money paid into a piggy bank from which charges are deducted.

footyguy

paullawrence5 wrote: »

Hello. Using one of the comparison tools I switched from SSE to British Gas. I've just noticed that they didn't set up the DDM which has left 1 larger amount to pay than you would hope. The thing that is most concerning is that the monthly amount they are looking at is higher than was quoted, and also higher than I was paying before I switched. Can I do anything about this? I sent them an email querying this and it took them quite some time to respond. Thanks for any help.

What was the response you received from the supplier to your email enquiry in this matter?

paullawrence5

Hello. I didn't really put in a lot of thought to be honest. I assume I was on a variable tarrif. When I switched to SSE I did the same thing with a comparison website, put in all my particulars and SSE came out cheaper and that's what I paid. I expected it to be the same when I switched to British Gas but it doesn't seem to be going that way. I'm not entirely sure how the comparisons work but British Gas gave a lower price than I was paying. If this isn't going to be the case can I leave?

System

If you want advice, then we really need more information. What did you base your comparison on in terms of energy used (kWhs/year) or did you use the rather crude, and often inaccurate, ‘x’ bedrooms?

You will have received a Welcome Letter from BG with details of your new tariff. If you are on a standard variable tariff then you can usually switch without penalty. That said, just switching because you think that you could be paying less without doing some basic calculations is a recipe for confusion and, in the long run, extra costs.

paullawrence5

Thank you for your enquiry about the Direct Debit.

I'm sorry that your account wasn't registered on Monthly Direct Debit (MDD) and also for the delay in my response.

I've checked your energy account and see that it is registered on our Variable Direct Debit payment option. In this we collect the entire bill amount from the customers bank account within 14 days from the bill issued date. This means we will be collecting the full payment of £138.75 from your bank account on or within 3 days of 1 February 2018. I'm sorry if this wasn't informed to you earlier.

Rest assured I've now registered your account on MDD payment plan. Your payment amount is set at £81.41 every month. Your first payment date is 12 February 2018 and all your future payments will be collected on the 12th of every month. You'll receive a confirmation* of your payment plan by 2 February 2018. We won't be collecting the entire payment of £138.75 on 1 February 2018.

Your account is due for a mid plan review in late April 2018 wherein your payment amount will be recalculated. We'll let you know of any changes in your payment amount on your statement at that time.

Thank you for contacting British Gas.