British Gas - to switch or not to switch?

rosamy52

Hi,

I'm currently on a fixed Octopus deal which ends at the end of July. The British Gas deal beats what Octopus can offer me but I either have to start it within a few days or after the 14 day cooling off period but that leaves me with at least two, more like three weeks overlap. Does that matter? I think I read Octopus can't charge leaving fees if it's within 49 days? Or would I still be paying two lots which is self defeating... My brain is rather frazzled at the moment so any help would be appreciated, thank you!

barker77

BG are the worst provider ive ever been with. My online account never worked in the year I was with them. Their customer service was useless

QrizB

I think I read Octopus can't charge leaving fees if it's within 49 days?

All suppliers will let you leave during the last 49 days of your fix without penalty. If your current deal ends at the end of July, you're in the window now when you can leave fee-free.

The British Gas deal beats what Octopus can offer me

I agree with the previous poster that, in my experience, BG have much worse customer service than Octopus do. If you're happy dealing with that, and BG are noticeably cheaper, switching makes sense.

rosamy52

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047906#Comment_82047906

Oh dear! Octopus have been excellent when I've needed help, apart from the gas smart meter never connecting but that seems to be a very common problem.

rosamy52

Thanks, I'll double check the savings. Octopus usually estimate a fair bit higher than I actually use so it might not actually be much of a saving.

Alnat1

Don't look at the DD they each give, find out your annual usage and work out the cost, using the unit rates and standing charges.

Neil49

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82047906#Comment_82047906

I have to agree. You are better off using a clairvoyant to get a bill estimate than rely on BG. Their billing system is nowhere near as good as Octopus and is the main reason for me leaving them.

spot1034

BG's automated billing has been fine for me. Not a single issue in the two years I have been with them, and I've been on a good deal for both those years with my present tariff way cheaper than anything that's available now, although sadly it's now coming near to its end. Don't forget you can also sign up for half price electricity between 11 and 4 on Sundays, and they have other brief half-price events, although in fact they haven't done one of those for a while now. If they launch a better fixed deal you can switch to it without paying an exit fee, and you just do it online without having to speak to anyone.

It's up to you whether you want to take the risk of having a problem which will be frustrating to try and get sorted, but remember that many customers never have to contact their energy supplier as everything works fine without intervention.

I agree with the comments that you should ignore any quote for a monthly direct debit, which is not the price of your tariff - you need to do calculations taking into account your usage and the specific unit prices and standing charges.

bristolleedsfan

Unlike some of the initial comments who have possibly not been with British Gas for some time, I currently have gas with them, found them very quick to answer and resolve via Chat and X.

As above comment said should British Gas bring out a cheaper fixed tariff can change without exit fees whereas Octopus charge exit fees for changing from standard fixed tariff with exit fees to another Octopus tariff.

RelievedSheff

We are currently in an ongoing battle with BG and their billing system and an incorrect final bill based on meter readings that are 11,000kWh astray from what the functioning smart meter is registering. This issue is showing no signs of being resolved any time soon. The issue was flagged in March, has been with their complaints team for 7 weeks now and is going to the ombudsman shortly if they can not somehow magic a resolution in the next week.

We certainly will never use them again. Their customer service and billing system are atrocious.

TonyEast

I am already a BG customer but cannot access the new fixed tariff Aug27 v4 on BG website as it is not shown. On contacting BG they tell me that it is only available online via a comparison site. On trying this through MSE website by pressing switch button it takes me through a lengthy signing up proceedure which involves giving full details setting up new DD etc. It also only offers dual fuel option but I only require gas. The blurb says single fuel is available. I thought initially this would be a straightforward switch as in the past it has been simply a case of choosing the new tariff on the BG website. Can anybody help.