Credit sitting with utility companies

tayuk

Apologies if this specific topic has cropped up before, but I did a search and found many topic skirting the edges.  After them posting nearly a billion pounds profit last year, I'd rather them not add my money to their 'little' investment pot.  

Firstly, I'm now with British Gas after my previous provider failed in Sept last year. 

I've been told by British Gas in an online chat (one of many since Peoples' Energy failed) that I was not able to change my DD to simply pay for what Elec/Gas I use and I should set up a higher fixed amount to ensure I don't get any surprises in the Winter.  I am more than happy to pay for what I use not line their pockets so they can speculate with my money.   

Does anybody know if this enforceable or is there a way to 'simply' pay for what we use like normal businesses?   

thanks   

lisyloo

Yes there is usually a pay as you go option.
there is however a discount for paying by direct debit and the loss of that may or may not be palatable to you, for example are you prepared to any £5 per month (£60 per year) for the the privilege?

have you asked for lower DD or credit refund? Noting that prices are due to rocket shortly

tayuk

lisyloo said:

Yes there is usually a pay as you go option.
there is however a discount for paying by direct debit and the loss of that may or may not be palatable to you, for example are you prepared to any £5 per month (£60 per year) for the the privilege?

have you asked for lower DD or credit refund? Noting that prices are due to rocket shortly

Not in the last few weeks no, the DD being raised has been discussed several times to cover the extra expense in winter only. 

Nobody has been able to tell me anything about the credit from my previous supplier, I am unable to to even see what power I am using on a daily/weekly basis as the British Gas website has a "technical" problem and has not been able to see historical usage since Feb 15th.  Annoyingly thats when I  turned the themostat down and reduced my power consumption.   

I cant even see the benefits unless I start running all the meter reading through excel, and thats what BG get paid for. 

Carrot007

tayuk said:

Apologies if this specific topic has cropped up before, but I did a search and found many topic skirting the edges.  After them posting nearly a billion pounds profit last year, I'd rather them not add my money to their 'little' investment pot.  

Firstly, I'm now with British Gas after my previous provider failed in Sept last year. 

I've been told by British Gas in an online chat (one of many since Peoples' Energy failed) that I was not able to change my DD to simply pay for what Elec/Gas I use and I should set up a higher fixed amount to ensure I don't get any surprises in the Winter.  I am more than happy to pay for what I use not line their pockets so they can speculate with my money.   

Does anybody know if this enforceable or is there a way to 'simply' pay for what we use like normal businesses?   

thanks   

In normal times you would be put in the standard variable tarrif for monthly/quarterly billing (and probaby require a credit check since you are not paying in advance).

However at the moment they are not prepared to move you to a loss making tarrif. Even if this tarrif might be less loss making than your current one, thje companies are simply not offering tarrifs so it's what you are on or find someone else (which is going to be hard).

P.S. I'm sure the domestic supply business did not make profit last year ;-)

Astria

You could move to another provider which supports variable direct debit, as in, they charge you for what you have used each month. I'm not sure if BG supports this as it requires a provider which can actually bill you each month rather than just taking a DD.

t0rt0ise

Most of the larger suppliers will do variable direct debits which simply take the amount of the bill each time, although you have to ask as they don't encourage it. You might want to try asking again.

tayuk

Carrot007 said:

tayuk said:

Apologies if this specific topic has cropped up before, but I did a search and found many topic skirting the edges.  After them posting nearly a billion pounds profit last year, I'd rather them not add my money to their 'little' investment pot.  

Firstly, I'm now with British Gas after my previous provider failed in Sept last year. 

I've been told by British Gas in an online chat (one of many since Peoples' Energy failed) that I was not able to change my DD to simply pay for what Elec/Gas I use and I should set up a higher fixed amount to ensure I don't get any surprises in the Winter.  I am more than happy to pay for what I use not line their pockets so they can speculate with my money.   

Does anybody know if this enforceable or is there a way to 'simply' pay for what we use like normal businesses?   

thanks   

In normal times you would be put in the standard variable tarrif for monthly/quarterly billing (and probaby require a credit check since you are not paying in advance).

However at the moment they are not prepared to move you to a loss making tarrif. Even if this tarrif might be less loss making than your current one, thje companies are simply not offering tarrifs so it's what you are on or find someone else (which is going to be hard).

P.S. I'm sure the domestic supply business did not make profit last year ;-)

I'm not bothered by credit checks, but it was never offered it and in fact suggested I couldn't do it.

The galling thing about it was that British Gas household division still posted over £112+ million profits last year despite the onboarding of many consumers from failed or failing virtual operators. 

Winky smilie indeed  

tayuk

Astria said:

You could move to another provider which supports variable direct debit, as in, they charge you for what you have used each month. I'm not sure if BG supports this as it requires a provider which can actually bill you each month rather than just taking a DD.

t0rt0ise said:

Most of the larger suppliers will do variable direct debits which simply take the amount of the bill each time, although you have to ask as they don't encourage it. You might want to try asking again.

Thanks, I'll speak to them them directly.

Verdigris

British Gas household division still posted over £112+ million profits

On what turnover, though? A million quid is a lot to us mere mortals but isn't a lot on a multi-billion turnover.