British Gas want my dd to go from £75 a month to £520!!

deano2099

Just cancel the direct debit. As long as there's enough credit on the account to cover your next bill, then in 28 days just do the switch. It may mean they have to refund you by cheque but that shouldn't be a problem.

EssexHebridean

Yes - I have to say that this is one of the rare occasions when I'd agree that cancelling the DD is probably your best way forwards, as annoying as it is that you will potentially end up paying more for what you do use between now and when you can get sorted to switch. 

Gerry1

The problem with cancelling the DD is that the OP will then automatically be billed at higher rates, so more aggro in getting it recalculated.

EssexHebridean

I get that - but if the funds aren't available to see a £500+ DD leave their account, there aren't too many viable alternative options that I can see? 

chubsta

EssexHebridean said:

I get that - but if the funds aren't available to see a £500+ DD leave their account, there aren't too many viable alternative options that I can see? 

And that is the main issue - I can’t afford to pay £520 for £50 worth of electricity, hoping that next March I get my bill and they refund me. It is ridiculous that the amount cannot be adjusted, that I should have to wait a month before anything can be done. The whole system is computerised - what sort of system do they have that both cannot cope with an adjustment and actually takes a month to be operational?

unfortunately, I was left with no choice but to cancel the direct debit, I’m sure the fact they have nearly £450 of my money sitting in their accounts won’t stop them contacting me for payment so will see what happens then…

Gerry1

If and when the DD bounces and your bill shows higher rates, I'd treat that as equivalent to a deadlock letter and fire off a complaint to the ombudsman.

They may tell you wait until you have completd BG's formal process or the eight weeks are up, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

You can still keep escalating your complaint within BG, adding on the overcharging as well.

Belenus

Gerry1 said:

The problem with cancelling the DD is that the OP will then automatically be billed at higher rates, so more aggro in getting it recalculated.

Are BG still charging a lower rate if you pay by DD?

Gerry1

Belenus said:

Gerry1 said:

The problem with cancelling the DD is that the OP will then automatically be billed at higher rates, so more aggro in getting it recalculated.

Are BG still charging a lower rate if you pay by DD?

Yes.

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/GetAQuote/tariff-information/tariffs/standard-variable/tariff-rates

Strummer22

chubsta said:

EssexHebridean said:

I get that - but if the funds aren't available to see a £500+ DD leave their account, there aren't too many viable alternative options that I can see? 

And that is the main issue - I can’t afford to pay £520 for £50 worth of electricity, hoping that next March I get my bill and they refund me. It is ridiculous that the amount cannot be adjusted, that I should have to wait a month before anything can be done. The whole system is computerised - what sort of system do they have that both cannot cope with an adjustment and actually takes a month to be operational?

unfortunately, I was left with no choice but to cancel the direct debit, I’m sure the fact they have nearly £450 of my money sitting in their accounts won’t stop them contacting me for payment so will see what happens then…

You could contact a newspaper consumer column e.g. Guardian consumer champions. Companies tend to get less rubbish when there is the prospect of a negative headline looming.

No guarantees that this well help, of course.

deano2099

Gerry1 said:

The problem with cancelling the DD is that the OP will then automatically be billed at higher rates, so more aggro in getting it recalculated.

Yeah but even if I could afford it, I'd rather pay an extra 7% on a £50 energy bill (so £3.50) and put that £500 in a easy access saving account where it'll make £2 a month interest at 5% - so I'd be ahead if it took longer than 2 months to get the money refunded. (And we know they have to wait one month to switch)