Who to complain to?

Eager_Saver

Back in November / December time, I got a call from British Gas Business asking if I wanted to switch over to them (it was a Friday).

I listened to the sales spiel, agreed to the transfer, and was given a 7 (or is it 9) days cool-off period.

On Tuesday I called my provider who said they'd match the rates so no need to move.

On Wednesday I therefore called British Business back to cancel the transfer and was told that it was ok as I was still in my cool off period - the guy on the phone said just disregard any contract etc sent from us - which I did, straight in the bin.

A couple of weeks later I got a British Gas letter saying that they were now my gas provider so I got on the phone to try and get the issue sorted. I was told that as it was their fault they would sort it out.

Weeks pass, I hear nothing so call back. They can't explain why it's not been sorted, so I call my old provider to see if they can do anything. They say they will try an erroneous transfer application, but it fails.

I keep calling British Gas and get the same answers 'we'll look into it - bla, bla'. I must have spent 3 or 4 hours on the phone to them.

I now get my first bill from them, calls them again and ask to speak to someone senior to take a decision. They agree to 'let me go' once I've paid the bill. I therefore VERY RELUCTANTLY pay it and call my old provider to transfer the supply back to them.

Suffice to say that I am very unimpressed with British Gas and their level of customer care. I would like to know who I should be complaining about this issue. I am thinking writing to them, trading standards, bbc watchdog etc... Any other?

Also are there complaints letter templates somewhere around here?

Cheers

Eager Saver

mute_posting

I understand your annoyance with them not acting on your instructions to cancel the transfer (very understandable), but if it has gone through and you are going to pay the same prices with the original supplier...

I called my provider who said they'd match the rates

What point is there in switching back?

Also, now the switch has completed, you may have difficulty in getting the original supplier to honour the price match

I realise that the switch was wrong (on thier part) - but if it is just principals involved and you are going to be no better off financially with the original supplier, why create yourself the headache of fighting to go back?

MP

Eager_Saver

mute_posting wrote: »

What point is there in switching back?

I called to cancel in the 9 days cool off period - before the switch was done.


Also, now the switch has completed, you may have difficulty in getting the original supplier to honour the price match

mute_posting wrote: »

but if it is just principals involved and you are going to be no better off financially with the original supplier, why create yourself the headache of fighting to go back?

That's the thing, it's a question of principles.I didn't allow them to transfer, so I am not willing to part with any more money their way

ES

mute_posting

I totally understand - I would be pee'd off also if I had cancelled in the cooling off period.

The point I was trying to make was that if you are saving no money by switching back (because of the price match) is it really worth the mither of switching back (which sods law states will go wrong) - are your principals worth more than the mither involved?

MP