BG and variable direct debit.

NiveaBlue

Hello everyone.

Not sure much can be done about this, but I wondered if this has happened to anyone else.

I am with British Gas and pay quarterly by variable direct debit. I am always given about 10 days notice before they take payment. However, on Friday they took a direct debit with no warning and without even having issued a bill.

When I got in touch with them, I was told that this was because I have been migrated to the new billing system. Apparently the new system does not allow for paying quarterly by variable direct debit (even though my account still shows that as the payment method ). Because of this I have been moved onto a fixed monthly direct debit. I had no notification of this and did not agree to it or agree an amount with them.
 
It is so frustrating. I have cancelled the direct debit for now as I think the new system has some gremlins and I don't trust them not to take more money without warning. I have made a complaint but doubt much will come of it. 

I will go back on the direct debit system as I know otherwise I will be paying a higher tariff. Do I have to accept the amount that BG set? It is really high and works out at more than my bills have been over the last 12 months.

Sorry for the long winded post, and thanks if you read this far!

Brie

Isn't this is direct contravention of the DD guarantee?  All companies need to notify customers of when a DD is going to be taken and for how much.  If they don't your bank can pull the payment back to your account.  

As for what they set....have a look at your bills from the last year and see what your use was for the 12 months.  take the current rate you are being charged and work out what that is for the full year.  Divide by 12.  Tell BG that's what you will pay.  They will probably argue but they have to play fair or you have a good cause for complaint.  (well you already do in any case).    I'm currently arguing with my supplier (not BG) as they have made up numbers that so far they can't justify for my DD.  Likely means I will be moving to greener pastures in the next month or 2.  

NiveaBlue

Thanks Brie. It is so frustrating. The reason I went with variable DD was so I wouldn't have to argue the toss with them over the amount of a fixed DD. Sorry to hear you are having problems with your supplier too.

Brie

Other suppliers have monthly variable DDs possible.  I'm looking into those right now for when my rates shoot up alarmingly in October after being fixed for 2 years.  Generally I figure they're all much of a muchness - just plain greedy.  

BeerSavesMoney

You might find this thread useful: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6469090/finding-a-provider-that-does-variable-dds

[Deleted User]

Hi,

DD guarantee HERE.

QrizB

There have been a few threads regarding BG's new billing system and it not alowing quarterly DDs.

Brie's thread contains details of the major suppliers that allow variable monthly DDs. I suspect that many of the smaller suppliers do too, but there aren't so many of their customers here to comment on that thread.

Gerry1

If only there were some regulatory organisation to champion the consumer and mandate that Variable Direct Debit must be offered by all suppliers...

NiveaBlue

Gerry1 said:

If only there were some regulatory organisation to champion the consumer and mandate that Variable Direct Debit must be offered by all suppliers...

Ha! Yes, wouldn't it be nice.

pseudodox

I like the EDF system where I pay monthly variable DD, with bills generated from the readings I submit, but they also set a default Fixed DD amount which they will take if for any reason I don't/can't submit a reading.  That FDD is set at what I regard as a very fair amount, being 1/12 of what I expect to use over any 12 month period on current prices.  And it is HALF in terms of kWh consumption my previous supplier, OVO, reckoned I would use, despite have a 17 year history with them!

The more we promote monthly variable as a realistic choice for many consumers the better the chance it will be legislated for in future.  FDD suits many people but we are all different & should have choice.  But I do understand the demise of quarterly billing now that energy costs are much increased - suppliers need the cashflow & it's less of a burden on consumers not to run up huge bills.