Switch from monthly D/D to variable quarterly

WatlingA5

British Gas informed me with my last bill that my monthly payment would be going up from £33 to £47 a month :eek:

I know gas prices have gone up, but that seemed a bit over the top and since, even after the winter quarter, we're still £22 in credit I felt it was approaching rip-off. I searched the BG site and couldn't find any info on changing to quarterly variable direct debit - so that I just pay for the gas I've used. Don't see any point in my money earning interest in BG's accounts.

Emailed customer service and asked how to go about changing and a day or so later got a reply saying they had set it up and they would let me know later about payment dates, etc.

Now, as an ancient cynic, the speed with which they responded and made the change leaves me thinking I may have done the wrong thing

I'd appreciate the views of other BG customers - and especially experts in the field.

TIA

glasgow_DFW

paying by dd usaly attargts a discount to the unit rate. paying quaterly is usaly the most expensive way to pay.

1 Do you know you annual usage?
2 Were you on a tariff that came to an end?
3 Have you asked about the unit costs?

They don't earn intrest as it it is not bg's money until its been used to pay for your usage (when the account is billed)

WatlingA5

Thank you glasgow_DFW and apologies for the slow response; clearing up after builders and taking advantage of first chance to cut the grass this year! Restful weekend? I don't think so!

Will have to go back into BG accounts and work out annual use.

Thanks again and I'll be back - but might be a little while yet :rolleyes:

SwanJon

Quarterly DD doesn't give you a discount, but monthly DD does (~10% for gas, ~5% for electricity), so you'd have to take that into account when thinking about earning interest (you or them). They would be earning interest on the money (if the net balance from all customers was a credit), in the same way when the plan is catching up with consumption they'd pay interest. (Note, they don't charge you interest.)
Why assume that because the did what you asked that something is wrong? Would you think that of any other company?
Yes, what you asked for may not be the best deal for you, but you asked for it. What else could they do? Had you phoned it might have been different as they could have disussed your options as part of the conversation.