British Gas - variable direct debits not possible?

Doc_N

Their website's clear enough - variable direct debits are acceptable.  But according to two of their agents (one via online chat and the other over the phone) it's impossible for them to set up. 

Reason something about being possible on the 'old platform' but not he 'new platform' post-2021.

Anyone had similar difficulties with them?

pochase

There were a few users a few month ago who tried to go onto variable DD, and were told it is not available. Same reason of new system was given when they complained that the website offers it.

Other users at the same time were able to go onto variable DD, but they might have been on the old system.

KxMx

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

Doc_N

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

I wasn't offered it either, but it's clearly an option according to their website - the problem is getting it!

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/bills-and-payments/setting-up-a-direct-debit

Why should I pay by Direct Debit? And should I choose a fixed or variable Direct Debit? 

Direct Debits are the easiest way to pay your bills – and they’re quick to set up.  

With a fixed Direct Debit, you choose to pay a fixed amount every month. We’ll work out the cost of your energy for the year ahead and divide this into equal payments. That way, you can spread the cost of your energy use without any surprises.

We’ll send you a statement every six months. And we’ll check your monthly payments at the same time to make sure you’re not paying too much, or too little. You’ll just need to give us up to date meter readings so we can keep your bills as accurate as possible. If you need a statement before then, start a live chat with one of our friendly advisers and they’ll be happy to help.

With a variable Direct Debit, you can choose to pay a varying amount every month or every quarter, depending on the energy you use. You’ll pay for the energy you use, as you use it – like a phone bill. That means you may pay more in the winter and less in the summer. And we’ll send you a bill 14 days before we make the request to your bank to pay for your energy use. 

badger09

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

Doc_N said:

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

I wasn't offered it either, but it's clearly an option according to their website - the problem is getting it!

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/bills-and-payments/setting-up-a-direct-debit

Why should I pay by Direct Debit? And should I choose a fixed or variable Direct Debit? 

Direct Debits are the easiest way to pay your bills – and they’re quick to set up.  

With a fixed Direct Debit, you choose to pay a fixed amount every month. We’ll work out the cost of your energy for the year ahead and divide this into equal payments. That way, you can spread the cost of your energy use without any surprises.

We’ll send you a statement every six months. And we’ll check your monthly payments at the same time to make sure you’re not paying too much, or too little. You’ll just need to give us up to date meter readings so we can keep your bills as accurate as possible. If you need a statement before then, start a live chat with one of our friendly advisers and they’ll be happy to help.

With a variable Direct Debit, you can choose to pay a varying amount every month or every quarter, depending on the energy you use. You’ll pay for the energy you use, as you use it – like a phone bill. That means you may pay more in the winter and less in the summer. And we’ll send you a bill 14 days before we make the request to your bank to pay for your energy use. 

Unless I’m missing something,  ‘pay on receipt of bill (by DD)’
is the same as ‘Variable DD’ 

Exile28

I (in the last month or so) managed to be put onto a monthly bill with variable direct debit. I've just given a meter reading today and will know around the 1st if this actually the case when the bill is issued.

It has been made more complicated as I am in credit thanks to previous fixed direct debit payments and the government payments so haven't actually had a variable direct debit payment taken this month.

But just wanted to confirm that an over the BG phone agent did offer to put me on a variable direct debit and I think has done that.

Gerry1

badger09 said:

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

Doc_N said:

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

I wasn't offered it either, but it's clearly an option according to their website - the problem is getting it!

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/bills-and-payments/setting-up-a-direct-debit

Why should I pay by Direct Debit? And should I choose a fixed or variable Direct Debit? 

Direct Debits are the easiest way to pay your bills – and they’re quick to set up.  

With a fixed Direct Debit, you choose to pay a fixed amount every month. We’ll work out the cost of your energy for the year ahead and divide this into equal payments. That way, you can spread the cost of your energy use without any surprises.

We’ll send you a statement every six months. And we’ll check your monthly payments at the same time to make sure you’re not paying too much, or too little. You’ll just need to give us up to date meter readings so we can keep your bills as accurate as possible. If you need a statement before then, start a live chat with one of our friendly advisers and they’ll be happy to help.

With a variable Direct Debit, you can choose to pay a varying amount every month or every quarter, depending on the energy you use. You’ll pay for the energy you use, as you use it – like a phone bill. That means you may pay more in the winter and less in the summer. And we’ll send you a bill 14 days before we make the request to your bank to pay for your energy use. 

Unless I’m missing something,  ‘pay on receipt of bill (by DD)’
is the same as ‘Variable DD’ 

Does anyone refer to ‘pay on receipt of bill by DD’?  It's neither fish nor fowl.

'Pay on receipt of bill' usually means 'Cash or Cheque'.

It's about time dozy Ogem standardised the terms because they're often a bit ambiguous, especially PAYG.

When publishing rates I'd suggest the following.

• VMDD or FMDD (Variable Monthly Direct Debit or Fixed Monthly Direct Debit)

• Pay on Receipt of Bill (Cash, Cheque or Bank Transfer)

• Prepayment Meter

Astria

Gerry1 said:

badger09 said:

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

Doc_N said:

KxMx said:

I moved into a property supplied by them in May, I wasn't offered a variable DD only fixed DD or pay on receipt of bill. 

I wasn't offered it either, but it's clearly an option according to their website - the problem is getting it!

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/bills-and-payments/setting-up-a-direct-debit

Why should I pay by Direct Debit? And should I choose a fixed or variable Direct Debit? 

Direct Debits are the easiest way to pay your bills – and they’re quick to set up.  

With a fixed Direct Debit, you choose to pay a fixed amount every month. We’ll work out the cost of your energy for the year ahead and divide this into equal payments. That way, you can spread the cost of your energy use without any surprises.

We’ll send you a statement every six months. And we’ll check your monthly payments at the same time to make sure you’re not paying too much, or too little. You’ll just need to give us up to date meter readings so we can keep your bills as accurate as possible. If you need a statement before then, start a live chat with one of our friendly advisers and they’ll be happy to help.

With a variable Direct Debit, you can choose to pay a varying amount every month or every quarter, depending on the energy you use. You’ll pay for the energy you use, as you use it – like a phone bill. That means you may pay more in the winter and less in the summer. And we’ll send you a bill 14 days before we make the request to your bank to pay for your energy use. 

Unless I’m missing something,  ‘pay on receipt of bill (by DD)’
is the same as ‘Variable DD’ 

Does anyone refer to ‘pay on receipt of bill by DD’?  It's neither fish nor fowl.

'Pay on receipt of bill' usually means 'Cash or Cheque'.

It's about time dozy Ogem standardised the terms because they're often a bit ambiguous, especially PAYG.

When publishing rates I'd suggest the following.

• VMDD or FMDD (Variable Monthly Direct Debit or Fixed Monthly Direct Debit)

• Pay on Receipt of Bill (Cash, Cheque or Bank Transfer)

• Prepayment Meter

After complaining to EON about my DD amount, I got moved to "pay for what you can afford (by DD)", where they take the full amount of the bill by DD when they receive a meter reading. Which seems really odd, but ok if that's what you call it.

My first bill was also strangely worded - "You are paying a variable amount depending on your usage", well it's not like anyone provides an all-you-can-eat fixed price is it?

KxMx

I was referring to cash/cheque for pay on receipt of bill. 

brewerdave

Briefly toyed with the idea of going over to variable DD last year when BG kept mucking about with the regular DD amount - but when I went on Chat, I was assured that it had been stopped by OFGEM " because it could lead to people not being able to pay their bills in the Winter" LOL

Inigo_Montoya

I am on variable direct debit on my accounts with British Gas (set up around end of 2021) but with British Gas Evolve I was only allowed to set up  a monthly fixed direct debit as it was a different system

However on January 1st I noticed that my BG Evolve accounts now appear to have been migrated to a new system that looks very similiar to my other BG accounts

(apparently the BG Evolve is now defunct & now just good old BG again)

Shortly I will be asking them if I am now abe to switch my BG evolve accounts over to variable DD - however given what I have read above it sounds like they wont allow it anymore ?