Variable direct debit doubled

KxMx

Gerry1 said:

Are you on the Priority Services Register?  If so then they should send someone to read it if they can't get a smart reading.

I'm a PSR customer with Octopus and I'm having to supply manual gas readings as my smart meter is faulty... Issue has been going on since June and Octopus latest explanation is it's due to a known meter fault, complex issue with multi agency involvement = no resolution in sight. 

I've currently no idea how much my heating is costing me (no IHD) because the last thing I have energy for (pun un-intended), is taking and submitting multiple readings per month generating multiple bills & emails to deal with, and payments to track (VDD). 
I'll find out at the end of this month when I submit my next reading and budget from there!

PSR is a nice idea but since I also had a poor experience with BG, I've now come to the conclusion that it is fairly useless.

EssexHebridean

The octopus app will show the most recent meter reading that they have - but of course that’s not the same as being able to get a current reading from it. 

KxMx

I have the app and get occasional daily usage, but nothing showing since 4th November, prior to me increasing the heating.
If just one day pops up that will give me an idea before I submit the next reading, but it hasn't yet.

double_dutchy

Do you have an IHD ( in home display)? Depending on the make you can possibly get a meter reading from that

MACKEM99

Mobtr said:

If you’ve just migrated over to their new system they will have lost communication to your smart meters for a few days while the transfer takes place, hence the estimated bill. Get someone to read the meter for you & give them the reading for a corrected bill 

In that case Should BG not wait until the comms are up and running rather than double the DD  at this stage, especially for someone in the OPs situation i.e. On the priority register?

hgc75

Thank you all for your help. First I must mention that I do not have a smart phone as I am housebound and on the rare occasion that I go out I have a carer with me.

Today I looked again at my BG electricity account and there is another bill. This time it  tells me I am going to get a refund of £202.67 within 10 days. I think what has happened is that whoever has transferred me to the new system has presumed that I am on the Direct Debir where you pay the same every month. In fact with the variable Direct Debit you simply pay for what you have used each month.  I then have my own system of recording which includes the KW hours used so I can compare going back years.

I will raise a complaint because I am old and disabled and have poor sight and I do not need all this hassle and neither do any other disabled people. Fortunately I can use my PC which some disabled people of all ages cannot. It will take a bit of time for me to do this and I will post here what happens. Meanwhile thank you all for pointing me in the right direction.

Scot_39

I thought from other posts here the new BG system didn't support monthly variable direct debit.

Or is that only for those not already paying that way ?

markin

The DD can still be used for a refund.

hgc75

I have not been given any notice to say that the Variable direct debit will be stopped on the new system and my gas bill appears to be OK. I think I will email the Martin Lewis itv email address to see if he wants to warn people about this as the variable direct debit system is the cheapest way to pay fuel bills and not give any fuel company interest free loans.

debitcardmayhem

hgc75 said:

I have not been given any notice to say that the Variable direct debit will be stopped on the new system and my gas bill appears to be OK. I think I will email the Martin Lewis itv email address to see if he wants to warn people about this as the variable direct debit system is the cheapest way to pay fuel bills and not give any fuel company interest free loans.

Think about it like driving your car, when you top up the tank do you pay on the spot, or add it to your account? Now compare that with your gas+electricity which you use every day, do you pay daily, or do the energy companies say ok I will lend you the power use until you pay and hey as a bonus we won’t charge interest on it or the choice is yours put £1 in the meter to keep it going. I wouldn’t send an email until you think how you are going to word it.