British Gas Rip off

Ectophile

MeteredOut said:

All this thread is missing is a reference to the Horizon scandal.

Well, it was up to now!

Pizzageezer

[Deleted User] said:

Pizzageezer said:

Not impressed by the above preachy replies trolling the poor guy: HE'S A VICTIM FOR GOODNESS SAKE.
I currently have a very similar bad experience with British Gas. Having bumped up Direct Debits when energy prices were so high winter 2022/23, they left them high to recover backlogs owing on the accounts. But they have continued to leave them high, and their website does not allow consumer to reduce them. Both my accounts are now substantially in credit (as of the May 2024 bill - and very big credit balance on the Electric Account) and building up even more rapidly now it's summer. That money should be back in MY savings account, earning interest! Calculating over the past year, the DD's should be around half what they are! I've sent a formal complaint and demanded immediate adjustment and refund. If it doesn't happen, I shall just go elsewhere. But I believe it's a deliberate, underhanded ploy on their part - I would definitely call it a Rip Off. Multiply by a very large proportion of their customer base, and we're talking big money. The managers responsible are likely laughing all the way to their bonuses. 

So instead of ranting why not simply change suppliers?

Ccrikey, so that's me completely sorted out in just 9 crisp words.
But a) I don't want to change suppliers - plenty of reasons which I won't list as it'll just broaden out into online ping-pong as to why I'm wrong, and I have better things to do myself; b) because I believe unacceptable behaviour by giant utility companies needs to get highlighted, and if even just one out of the many thousands of elderly, long-term BG customers in the same situation is triggered to get their DD's sorted too, it will have been worthwhile; c) doesn't everyone, even you, feel better after a good rant?

Alnat1

a) and c) You obviously enjoy a good whinge more than you enjoy good service. Perhaps BG know this and raise your DD just because they know the rant will give you soo much pleasure 

[Deleted User]

Pizzageezer said:

[Deleted User] said:

Pizzageezer said:

Not impressed by the above preachy replies trolling the poor guy: HE'S A VICTIM FOR GOODNESS SAKE.
I currently have a very similar bad experience with British Gas. Having bumped up Direct Debits when energy prices were so high winter 2022/23, they left them high to recover backlogs owing on the accounts. But they have continued to leave them high, and their website does not allow consumer to reduce them. Both my accounts are now substantially in credit (as of the May 2024 bill - and very big credit balance on the Electric Account) and building up even more rapidly now it's summer. That money should be back in MY savings account, earning interest! Calculating over the past year, the DD's should be around half what they are! I've sent a formal complaint and demanded immediate adjustment and refund. If it doesn't happen, I shall just go elsewhere. But I believe it's a deliberate, underhanded ploy on their part - I would definitely call it a Rip Off. Multiply by a very large proportion of their customer base, and we're talking big money. The managers responsible are likely laughing all the way to their bonuses. 

So instead of ranting why not simply change suppliers?

Ccrikey, so that's me completely sorted out in just 9 crisp words.
But a) I don't want to change suppliers - plenty of reasons which I won't list as it'll just broaden out into online ping-pong as to why I'm wrong, and I have better things to do myself; b) because I believe unacceptable behaviour by giant utility companies needs to get highlighted, and if even just one out of the many thousands of elderly, long-term BG customers in the same situation is triggered to get their DD's sorted too, it will have been worthwhile; c) doesn't everyone, even you, feel better after a good rant?

c) made me smile and the honest answer is yes

I accept it may not have come across that way, but it was a serious question. Nothing makes organisations sit up, take notice and drive improvement like losing customers.