Ripped of BRITISH GAS!

mikefox

We have been with British Gas for gas and Electric for some years. We had long been suspecting that their wild guestimations were wrong! They suggested a meter to moniter
use we agreed and despite a whole year of stupidity and failed appointments and aborted fittings (sometimes 9:00 on Sat night) due to all kinds of ineptitudes as well as asbestos and other kinds of snags and problems they were unable to fit the meter and agreed to give up.
Meanwhile, they had stopped taking payment and by the time they realised they came in heavy handed and stated we need pay over a £1000.00 in arrears. At one point they just drew £400 out of my wife's account where they had a direct debit facility! They are stating that our gas and electricity bill for 2 people terrace house is over £3000.00 per year. The Money Supermarket comparison say we should be paying around avg £90 per month so around £1K a year not £3K per year. British gas are increasing their payment withdrawals ad hoc. this surely can't be right? We have been to onbudsman and they found for british gas we can't understand it!!!!:money:

Hasbeen

You relied for years on estimates? It looks like they are wanting payment for underestimates.

Did you ever take actual reading yourself.

If you owe the money you will have to pay. Discuss payment terms.

Robin9

Could you post your meter readings please - inc the last time you had ACTUAL readings (and how much you were in credit/debit) at that time and today's reading.

As you've been with BG for years do I assume you are on their standard tariff or are you on a fix ?

Brewer20

Oh so many folk I know still don't know how much gas/electricity they are using. A bit late now for you but you should be submitting readings every month and keeping a log of it, just for you own personal check when the bills come in.


And as the man says switch supplier for a better fixed deal

dunstonh

. We had long been suspecting that their wild guestimations were wrong!

That is why you should be giving them periodic readings.

At one point they just drew £400 out of my wife's account where they had a direct debit facility!

Which she would have known about as direct debit rules require advance notification.

hey are stating that our gas and electricity bill for 2 people terrace house is over £3000.00 per year. The Money Supermarket comparison say we should be paying around avg £90 per month so around £1K a year not £3K per year.

They are asking you to play catch up. So, your amount includes arrears as well as future use.

We have been to onbudsman and they found for british gas we can't understand it!!!!

The simple bit you need to understand is that you pay for energy you use. If you fail to supply meter readings, they will estimate but these can be significantly under or over. If you rely on estimates, the longer you leave it before you supply an actual reading, the wider the gap will become to what you have actually used.

Ripped of BRITISH GAS!

And like most MSE rip off threads, it is not.
It is a lack of understanding and leaving it so long to get resolved.

Hasbeen

The ops title post is correct though "Ripped of BRITISH GAS!"

He has ripped off British Gas seemingly for years?

Relying on low estimated readings, not bothering to correct them or give actual readings.

Used utility's but not paid for them.

Now having to pay for actual usage is a shock.

mmmmikey

Although comments above may sound harsh, unfortunately they are probably true. You're not the first and won't be the last to fail to find yourself in this situation. It sounds like all British Gas is doing is asking you to pay for whatever you've already used which is why your bill is so high and the ombudsman found in their favour.


If you are going to struggle to pay, then you are likely to find that British Gas are sympathetic and will agree a payment plan that is manageable.


Good luck

Hasbeen

Op has started 3 threads, 3 posts, asking for advice on 3 different subjects which was given, but he failed to came back to any replies.

So any more advice on this will seemingly be wasted by all.

Robin9

Mikefox - prove Hasbeen wrong. You ignored advice re parking and car insurance claims - please respond to the BG issue.