What price good customer service?

Emma79

We've had many, many problems with British Gas over the past couple of years (I won't bore you - I'm sure you've heard the typical stories....). I presumed that they would be more expensive than the rest and I was looking forward to switching to a cheaper company with hopefull better customer service.

I am now very disappointed to find out that British Gas are cheaper than any of the competitors.

Are there any utility companies out there that provide good, UK-based customer service centres, correctly bill and send out meter readers who can actually get correct readings? I think I'd actually pay a little more for a company who is efficient and bills me correctly!

I look forward to hearing your recommendations!

penrhyn

Scottish and Southern perhaps?

Premier_2

Scottish & Southern certainly seem to be one of the better companies for customer service at present.

Don't forget that Ebico use Scottish & Southern for Customer Service and billing purposes (and probably the same meter readers too), but not for pricing.

The other advantage with ebico tariffs is that although they may not be the cheapest for you, they are extremely simple so in the unlikely event of a billing error being made it'll be very easy to spot, and equally important, to explain to the call centre staff.

terryw

Emma79 wrote: »

We've had many, many problems with British Gas over the past couple of years (I won't bore you - I'm sure you've heard the typical stories....). I presumed that they would be more expensive than the rest and I was looking forward to switching to a cheaper company with hopefull better customer service.

I am now very disappointed to find out that British Gas are cheaper than any of the competitors.

Are there any utility companies out there that provide good, UK-based customer service centres, correctly bill and send out meter readers who can actually get correct readings? I think I'd actually pay a little more for a company who is efficient and bills me correctly!

I look forward to hearing your recommendations!

British Gas prices are to rise again shortly and once again they will be one of the most expensive. But the customer care is so dreadful that even if they were half the price of other concerns they are not worth touching. Southern work out best for me but try on of the on-line comparison sites.

terrywi

SwanJon

terryw wrote: »

British Gas prices are to rise again shortly and once again they will be one of the most expensive.

Aha! You know a lot.
You'll need to watch giving this kind of company sensitive information out or the Stock Exchange will be after you for insider trading.

Very few people (if any) know how much any supplier is going to increase their prices by, or who will be first or last , or most expensive when they've changed.
It does look like prices will rise, and as Centrica had its AGM recently British Gas's name is being bandied around. As 4 of the 'big six' are foreign owned we don't get as much coverage of their AGMs or other company reports.

As far as British Gas's service record goes, they have been poor over the last few years, but the latest Energywatch report shows they have made dramatic improvements, but have a way to go yet.

terryw

SwanJon wrote: »

Aha! You know a lot.
You'll need to watch giving this kind of company sensitive information out or the Stock Exchange will be after you for insider trading.

Very few people (if any) know how much any supplier is going to increase their prices by, or who will be first or last , or most expensive when they've changed.
It does look like prices will rise, and as Centrica had its AGM recently British Gas's name is being bandied around. As 4 of the 'big six' are foreign owned we don't get as much coverage of their AGMs or other company reports.

As far as British Gas's service record goes, they have been poor over the last few years, but the latest Energywatch report shows they have made dramatic improvements, but have a way to go yet.

My information came from an article in a newspaper in recent weeks. I can't remember which one but probably The Mail or The Times. Sorry, I do not move in circles for insider trading, but I have been a customer of British Gas and the service record with me has been the worst that I have ever encountered in my life! They are not worth touching at any price.

terryw

Emma79

Thanks for your wise words!! Southern seem to have fantastic customer service ratings from customers on this site.

I'll give them a try!

penrhyn

Don't forget Ebico, as previously posted, if you are a low user.