Variable direct debit doubled

hgc75

Result at last!!!

I took the matter to the Ombudsman and long story short s/he decided I had been badly dealt with.

The reading started to come out correctly after about 3 months.

The money appeared to be straightened out but I have not checked to the last penny as I have not been well and I got £75 goodwill gesture from BG at the suggestion of the Ombudsperson.

Yesterday, only 6 months after this all started, I got a phone call from BG explaining that they simply do not have any IHDs for my kind of meter and that I will get one when it is my turn to have my meter updated. In the light of this BG would like to double the goodwill gesture.

Yeah, wow! Happy bunny!!

Today I got an email to say my latest bills are ready and there it is on my electricity bill two lots of £75 credit labelled "goodwill gesture".....twice!

Thank you all for the encouragement. 

wrf12345

For some reason BG does not do variable direct debit on the new system, which is the root of the problem, and it is usual for them to raise an estimated figure for DD of two to three times actual usage but if you go via their chat system they will usually correct this if you are adamant that it is too high, albeit with dire warnings that it might put you into debt. Expect them to put up the DD every two to three months in the hope that you will accept it. Octopus do do variable DD and if you search google (or this site?) for Octopus £50 reward you will find links that will entitle you to £50 credit to your account. Octopus don't do chat but are pretty good on the phone and so-so replying to emails. If you cancel your direct debit then BG will put you on to a slightly higher rate that you pay on demand via debit card or cheque and with a smart meter this should reflect actual usage, though exactly when they will send you the bill is another matter, with some people getting it every quarter or even six months. With smart meters the transfer is usually painless and surprisingly quick, a few days quite common.