Forced by British Gas to lock-in when moving into flat

frabcus

I've moved into a rented flat, and according to the helplines British Gas are serving the electricity and gas at the moment. I haven't seen any letters from them yet.


When I try and register with them online to tell them the meter readings when I moved in, and choose "direct debit", they try to get me to sign up to a "HomeEnergy Secure Feb 2020". When I'd like to be able to switch to someone cheaper and more green (e.g. Bulb).


If I pick the PAYG option, it says I have to phone them. And doesn't tell me any detail about the tariff or cost. While in theory I could phone them, it is clearly self serving so I just get locked in to a tariff I don't want and forget about it. I'm settling into a new job, and can't sit on hold for hours in the day.


Is it really legal for them to do this? It feels deeply anti-competitive. Is there any way round it?

PixelPound

You could go on their standard tariff amd initiate a switch as soon as you can. They are obviously making you aware of their cheapest one, which happens to have exit fees. You would expect that at least, when I got my house it was on EDF and they stated I was on standard rate and could go on one of their fixed rates.

Cardew

frabcus wrote: »

Is it really legal for them to do this? It feels deeply anti-competitive. Is there any way round it?

When you move in you are on a legally binding deemed tariff with BG and will be for the few weeks it takes to switch to your chosen supplier.

It is not anti-competitive; indeed the current system was imposed on the energy companies to benefit the customer.

Before the market was thrown open to competition, there was just the one supplier for your district for gas(BG) and one supplier for electricity. You had to arrange a payment method before you moved in, or the gas/electricity could be cut off when the previous occupant left. You would then have to arrange for each(gas/electricity) to be re-connected and could wait days.

Now you can walk into a house and know gas/electricity is connected and you can use energy without initially paying.

What do you suggest should happen? In your case BG are supplying energy and are entitled to get paid for that energy for the short period before you switch.

Skools_Out

frabcus wrote: »

...
When I try and register with them online to tell them the meter readings when I moved in, and choose "direct debit", they try to get me to sign up to a "HomeEnergy Secure Feb 2020". ...

:cool:

Let's look on the bright side.

It seems your experience of this supplier has brought you back to MSE after over 8 years absence.

Posts like yours are invaluable to this site, and this site really relies upon posters like yourself to ensure it does not die.

Let's hope now you have resumed posting on this site, we can all look forward to still more invaluable posts from yourself in the near future

frabcus wrote: »

If I pick the PAYG option, it says I have to phone them.
... Is there any way round it?

You could phone them

frabcus

Thanks all!

Yes - so the two improvements I expect:

1) To be able to pick any tariff I like online, not to have to call to get the tariff which is more in my interests.

2) Ideally, I shouldn't have to deal with British Gas at all - I'd love to be able to just give my meter readings straight to (say) Bulb and they charge me from my moving in day. Since it is all virtual anyway, this ought to be possible.

Anyway, it is as it is! I'll either give up on switching, or call them.

And yes now I'm logged into MoneySavingExpert, I'm much more likely to contribute in other ways

anniecave

Look at the times that the call centre is open (check their website). First thing in the morning on a Saturday may be a good time to call, or first thing any morning, whatever time their call centres open. I would guess lunchtimes or early evenings are the busiest.

JJ_Egan

frabcus wrote: »

more in my interests.

2) Ideally, I shouldn't have to deal with British Gas at all - I'd love to be able to just give my meter readings straight to (say) Bulb and they charge me from my moving in day. Since it is all virtual anyway, this ought to be possible.



No deemed contract then no supply and up to two weeks to get a supply .
Thats why they where brought in to simply enable a supply .

giraffe69

Can't see the problem except you are on the standard and more expensive rate for a short while.

1. move in
2. Give readings to existing supplier (BG)
3. Initiate a switch to the provider of your choice
4. Relax and let it happen (under a month)