Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

jsinc

Hengus wrote: »

And there is nothing to gain. Under the terms of their supply licences, gas and electricity suppliers are not allowed to do 'deals' to keep customers...

Thanks I didn't know that. Hoped they could just apply a credit for the (projected) annual difference based on historical use.

I compare & switch fairly regularly using kwhs from monthly readings in a spreadsheet, but always a hassle debating monthly payments again if a different supplier.

maxmiler

Gas
After almost 5 weeks since I started the switch to MSE BG Collective, still the gas supply has not been switched. And as my fixed tariff with the previous supplier ends tomorrow, I will be switched by them to their standard variable tariff which is over 50% higher than the one that I should be on by now. Not good!

Electricity
You may recall that earlier in this forum I was having problems entering the reading owing to problems with the BG system. Matt (the BG rep) said that he would enter it and send it on to my previous supplier.
However, I have received the final bill from the previous supplier, and the reading has been estimated at a much higher reading than the one that I submitted to BG. And even today, 2 weeks after the switch date, my meter still doesn't show a reading as high as this estimate.
Today I logged on to my BG account, and for the first time I can see a meter reading. It is ONE higher than the estimated final reading from my previous supplier. So I'm afraid that Matt's help to try and enter the correct final/start reading did not materialise. And again, the rate from my old supplier is higher so I've been charged more for those units of electricity. Again not good!
I emailed Matt about this on Monday (today is Wednesday) but have had no reply yet.

Can I ask the forum members this: am I the only person having problems with this MSE BG Collective switch?

Matt, sorry to write this, effectively behind your back, but I'm finding that what I've been told so many times, that switching is easy, can actually be extremely time comsuming and frustrating.

Jeff (Max)

footyguy

maxmiler wrote: »

Gas
After almost 5 weeks since I started the switch to MSE BG Collective, still the gas supply has not been switched. And as my fixed tariff with the previous supplier ends tomorrow, I will be switched by them to their standard variable tariff which is over 50% higher than the one that I should be on by now. Not good!

Electricity
You may recall that earlier in this forum I was having problems entering the reading owing to problems with the BG system. Matt (the BG rep) said that he would enter it and send it on to my previous supplier.
However, I have received the final bill from the previous supplier, and the reading has been estimated at a much higher reading than the one that I submitted to BG. And even today, 2 weeks after the switch date, my meter still doesn't show a reading as high as this estimate.
Today I logged on to my BG account, and for the first time I can see a meter reading. It is ONE higher than the estimated final reading from my previous supplier. So I'm afraid that Matt's help to try and enter the correct final/start reading did not materialise. And again, the rate from my old supplier is higher so I've been charged more for those units of electricity. Again not good!
I emailed Matt about this on Monday (today is Wednesday) but have had no reply yet.

Can I ask the forum members this: am I the only person having problems with this MSE BG Collective switch?

Matt, sorry to write this, effectively behind your back, but I'm finding that what I've been told so many times, that switching is easy, can actually be extremely time comsuming and frustrating.

Jeff (Max)

In regards your gas, as long as the old supplier has been informed of the intention to switch supplier (e.g. by the new supplier), then you should continue to be charged at the existing tariff and not on the suppliers standard variable tariff (time limits apply - I think you have another 4 weeks for the switch to actually complete)

In regards the electricity, as long as the start reading of the new supplier is the same as that used by the old supplier as a final reading, the cost difference will probably be negligible.
Meter readings are actually agreed via a 3rd party, but if the difference really is huge, then you can complain (thresholds apply as to how big the dispute is over as to whether or not it will be investigated - it can take months to be resolved if accepted as a cause for dispute)

maxmiler

Footyguy,

I do hope that BG have informed my previous supplier, but even if they have, it might go the same way as a previous switch in September 2011.
On that occasion, the switch was informed to the old supplier before the tariff ended (on exactly the correct date as specified in the contract), yet they changed me to the standard tariff . And as the switch took quite a while to complete, the extra charge was significant. That fiasco continued until January 2012 during which time I was continually lied to (on the phone) about the tariff, what they had done, contradicting themselves and subsequent refund. That's why I'm doing all this in writing - I've got a record of what was said.

I do agree about the electricity extra cost to me being not really important, but the priciple of BG failing to pass on the final reading is quite frustrating and doesn't bode well for the future.

Jeff

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie_Lee

JenniferK wrote: »

No my old supplier has not sent me a final bill - they still have me as an active customer and have sent me a continuing bill with new estimated readings because British Gas have not completed the transfer that was supposed to have been completed on the 25th February.

I have now submitted a formal complaint to British Gas
[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]My understanding is that British Gas [/FONT]is responsible for all aspects of the transfer. I am afraid that they have failed miserably and as a result I am now having to spend time sorting out this[FONT=&quot].[/FONT] [/FONT]

Hello JenniferK, I'd advise removing your Customer Reference number from your post, for security purposes. I've checked this & confirm you transferred to us on the 25th Feb as advised. The account is set up with us. We are awaiting to agree your final reading with your previous supplier, this can take up to 28 days to update.

Thanks
Jamie-Lee

Consumerist

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie_Lee wrote: »

. . . We are awaiting to agree your final reading with your previous supplier, this can take up to 28 days to update.
Jamie-Lee

This is a farcical situation. What happened to 17-day switching?

What hope of one-day switching?

The energy industry have learned many a trick from the banking industry with regard to delay and obfuscation.

Ellie2758

Hi Max/Jeff

you most certainly are not the only person having major problems with the collective switch to B Gas.

I have switched 2 properties. On one switch the order for gas was cancelled by B Gas' IT system. Staff were not kept informed, I made 3 long and convoluted telephone calls until eventually I was put through to somebody who was aware of the issue. I was then given what I was told was a dedicated telephone number on which staff would know all about the issue. A week later I rang the number to check on the progress of the "new" order only to be confronted with a staff member who knew nothing about their error.

I have now had to give energy readings for one property SEVEN times. Sorry to shout but....seven :mad:. This is meant to be easy? Really?

Now the other property is having the same issues with readings. I complete the online form, I get an email thanking me for the readings, a day later I get an email telling me that their system could not accept them and to either ring or wait 24 hours. I ring, give readings and the whole thing goes around again.

I have found that giving the readings via the messenger service on Facebook to B Gas does seem to work, but it doesn't prevent the daily emails telling me they haven't had the reading and if they don't get it soon they will have to estimate them.

For an account that is supposed to be managed online by the customer this is clearly far from acceptable.

Have you complained to the energy watchdog yet? I am planning to. The whole thing has been a total farce; I am now paying for the electricity which has not been switched over at a premium tariff with my old supplier because the deal I have with them ended the day I applied to join British Gas.

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie_Lee

Consumerist wrote: »

This is a farcical situation. What happened to 17-day switching?

What hope of one-day switching?

The energy industry have learned many a trick from the banking industry with regard to delay and obfuscation.

Hi Consumerist, the actual switch is quick, sometimes it just takes a little longer to receive & agree readings. The supply would still be with us within the 7 weeks.

Thanks

Jamie-Lee

lanstrom

I thought I had read that switches generally go through in 14 days but perhaps I was dreaming it ?

I switched from OVO to BG on the 12th Feb and despite getting an email from both companies confirming it at the time I am still not sure if my switch is complete ?

CheaperEnergyClub says that my switch is still in progress. I have had an email from BG welcoming me and I can log into their Online Portal. I have given meter readings but they still dont show up on my account (for either company) after a week since giving them. My BG account just shows a whirling circle (where they should be) then it says there is an error and it cant retrieve them and I should try again later (its been doing that since I gave them!).

I am £255 in credit with OVO and I would like to get the money back but I didnt want to click the refund button in case it messes up the automated transfer etc.

British_Gas_Rep_Jamie_Lee

lanstrom wrote: »

I thought I had read that switches generally go through in 14 days but perhaps I was dreaming it ?

I switched from OVO to BG on the 12th Feb and despite getting an email from both companies confirming it at the time I am still not sure if my switch is complete ?

CheaperEnergyClub says that my switch is still in progress. I have had an email from BG welcoming me and I can log into their Online Portal. I have given meter readings but they still dont show up on my account (for either company) after a week since giving them. My BG account just shows a whirling circle (where they should be) then it says there is an error and it cant retrieve them and I should try again later (its been doing that since I gave them!).

I am £255 in credit with OVO and I would like to get the money back but I didnt want to click the refund button in case it messes up the automated transfer etc.

Hi Lanstrom,

I'm sorry you've been having a few problems whilst switching to us, not the best start, but I'm sure I can get this sorted for you. Please can you email your details to talktous@britishgas.co.uk can you also include your MSE name on the subject line.

Thanks, Jamie-Lee