BG - Exclusive Energy Oct 2023

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

My mothers has just phoned me to say she has a letter from BG saying that they are changing her to a standard variable tariff from her Exclusive Energy Oct 2023 FIXED.

Is this right or are BG trying to pull a fast one?

My understanding is that she has a fix and that should stay in place till the end of the contract period.

BTW, she lives alone and would be a low energy user.

[Deleted User]

Without reading the contract terms and conditions, it is difficult to say whether the supplier has right on its side. For example, a particular tariff may require the consumer to agree to a smart meter or to pay in a certain way. 

Edit: Slightly worryingly, I found this on BG’s website. I am not legally qualified so I will not give an opinion on whether this is a fair or unfair contract term.

Gerry1

Dolor said:

Without reading the contract terms and conditions, it is difficult to say whether the supplier has right on its side. For example, a particular tariff may require the consumer to agree to a smart meter or to pay in a certain way. 

Edit: Slightly worryingly, I found this on BG’s website. I am not legally qualified so I will not give an opinion on whether this is a fair or unfair contract term.

24. We can change the terms of your contract at any time, including prices and payment methods, unless we’ve agreed with you that we won’t. If we make a change to your contract and that change puts you at a disadvantage (including if we increase your prices), we’ll let you know at least 30 days beforehand.

The Ts & Cs specific to the contract don't seem to be onerous.

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

But on a FIXED deal, surely they can't change that?

QrizB

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd said:

But on a FIXED deal, surely they can't change that?

There are still some circumstances, eg. if she has a DD-only tariff and she's cancelled, or a smart meter-only tariff but has refused to have a smart meter. Were there any clues in the letter?

[Deleted User]

QrizB said:

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd said:

But on a FIXED deal, surely they can't change that?

There are still some circumstances, eg. if she has a DD-only tariff and she's cancelled, or a smart meter-only tariff but has refused to have a smart meter. Were there any clues in the letter?

The OP needs to look closely at the detail of the Welcome Letter as well. Just out of interest, I looked again at my Octopus supply contract which reads:

Quote

11.1 We can change the terms of your Contract at any time, which may include situations where it is necessary for us to comply with any laws, or other rules that we are obliged to follow.

11.2 We will inform you of any changes and the latest copy of our Terms and Conditions will be available on our website.

11.3 We will not change the prices applicable to your Contract while you are on a Fixed Rate Tariff.

11.4 If we propose to make changes to your Contract that are not to your advantage (including increasing charges or changes to a Time of Use Tariff formula that results in higher charges) we will give you reasonable notice of the changes. If you do not agree with the changes, you can switch to another supplier or end this Contract and start a new Contract with us without penalty. This does not apply at the end of a Fixed Rate Tariff, where clause 13 will apply, or if we change your payment method in accordance with your Contract.. Unquote

This is what I would expect to see re a fixed tariff.

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

Unable to look at teh welcome letter at present, but will see if I can obtain from my mother.

MWT

The only way I can see for them to legitimately change to the SVT is if the meters have been changed to prepayment for any reason.