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British Gas - Insane Situation

GDB2222
GDB2222 Posts: 25,448 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
in Energy
I signed up with British Gas, through a comparison site, but had second thoughts and completed the cooling off process. I did this back in November, sent in the form, and have an acknowledgement. Despite this, BG seem to have transferred my energy account over to themselves. They set up a DD, which I cancelled. They ignore all my attempts to communicate with them.

I am happy enough to pay for my energy, but I don't want to deal with BG, especially after this fiasco. Is there any way to sort this out? 
No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?

Comments

  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,357 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    A letter - by post - headed COMPLAINT

    Make sure you keep funds by you for when this is sorted - you can make a reasonable guess at the amounts by using your meter readings and doing some sums.  Cancelling the DD was not a good idea.
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 25,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I wrote to Complaints Management Team, PO Box 226, Rotherham S98 1PB  on 28 November, but as yet no response at all. 

    They have emailed me to say that they are more expensive without a DD, but that surely requires that there is some sort of contract that I have signed up to? 

    The whole thing seems completely Kafkaesque.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Posts: 10,357 Forumite
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    Tell your previous supplier that there has been an Erroneous Transfer and ask them to reverse it.  You can also go to the Ombudsman because BG haven't sent you a deadlock letter within eight weeks  of your complaint.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 25,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Okay. I have sent a complaint to the Ombudsman
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    GDB2222 said:
    They have emailed me to say that they are more expensive without a DD, but that surely requires that there is some sort of contract that I have signed up to? 
    The whole thing seems completely Kafkaesque.
    You have got yourself into a right pickle.
    You need to reinstate the DD because you cannot transfer if you are in debt to them; you have said you are ok with paying what you owe.

  • Retiredwelshman
    Retiredwelshman Posts: 75 Forumite
    10 Posts
    sevenhills said:
    GDB2222 said:
    They have emailed me to say that they are more expensive without a DD, but that surely requires that there is some sort of contract that I have signed up to? 
    The whole thing seems completely Kafkaesque.
    You have got yourself into a right pickle.
    You need to reinstate the DD because you cannot transfer if you are in debt to them; you have said you are ok with paying what you owe.

    Customers cannot reinstate direct debits only originating companies can.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,357 Forumite
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    @GDB2222  You don't "sign" up to utilities these days - it's word of mouth or online forms.

    Have you worked out how much you owe ?  
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,673 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    sevenhills said:
    GDB2222 said:
    They have emailed me to say that they are more expensive without a DD, but that surely requires that there is some sort of contract that I have signed up to? 
    The whole thing seems completely Kafkaesque.
    You have got yourself into a right pickle.
    You need to reinstate the DD because you cannot transfer if you are in debt to them; you have said you are ok with paying what you owe.

    OP should not be doing that.  They should be working through the erroneous transfer process.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 25,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I don't owe them anything, as I have no contract with them. I may owe my previous supplier money, as the transfer should be cancelled. That should not have taken two months, with BG ignoring everything I send them.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 20,572 Forumite
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    I found the webchat very helpful.
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