British Gas, you robbing...

[Hobbit]

Last month, for the second year running, we received our annual assessment/projection for gas and electric. We were well in credit for both, same as last year, and once again they intended to increase our Direct Debit by a fair bit. Rang them and had the usual bull, but told them no way were they doing that unless they wanted to lose us as customers.

Been to sort Mum-in-law's bills today; British Gas again doing the same thing. She is well in credit, and they wanted to increase the DD by 50%.... not 5%, or 15% but 50%!

I wonder how many people don't check their bills, and I wonder how many senior citizens trust what used to be a national institution like BG, and just accept the increase?

British Gas, you are a disgrace!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Npower are the same

I was in credit over £300 and they wanted to increase my DD by 30%

Asked them to justify it - they said they expect me to use more electric during this winter as it will be colder than last winter !!!

Left them there and then got my credit money and moved to Scottish power

 

[williamalex1]

I was told Co-op energy were the cheapest tariffs - gas 3.002p per KWH standing charge 23p - electricity - 10.8 p per KWH standing charge 23p

.www. cooperativeenergy.coop. tel 0800 093 7511.

 

[chellie]

Our DD has only gone up by £1 per month.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Utility Warehouse just wrote to us to say they were reducing our monthly payments by £4 for gas and £6 for electric.

 

[chellie]

Just thought do you not manage your bills online each month. I do monthly readings and use the direct debit manager so am rarely in debit or credit on either the BG or EON accounts.

 

[SocketRocket]

I was told Co-op energy were the cheapest tariffs - gas 3.002p per KWH standing charge 23p - electricity - 10.8 p per KWH standing charge 23p

.www. cooperativeenergy.coop. tel 0800 093 7511.

Iv'e used them for a number of years and found them to be a cut above the rest. They actually reduced their Electricity tariff once.

 

[Sweep]

I have a different, though nonetheless frustrating experience by BG.
When I set up the account, they suggested I pay a certain amount per month. I argued that surely it should be more, quite a lot more, as I had been paying more and the price of gas and electricity was going up. They said no, don't worry about it. Of course 4 months ago they wanted to put in a big increase as I was now in debit and then I realised what I think they might be up to. If I am in debit, in order to move to a different company with a cheaper tariff, I have to find the dosh to pay then what I owe. Just as well I put the cash aside to keep it to manageable proportions.
Seemingly, there is no substitute for paying the bills as they come in.

 

[richy]

I'm with E ON and have a smart meter that tells you how much energy you're using and also automatically sends meter reading so you don't have to. Since it's been fitted my DD have come down £5 twice. Pretty sure British Gas are the only other company that supply them at the moment and they're free.

 

[Beezerk]

Npower are the same

Yep, tried it with me last year, put my bill up by 50% for no apparent reason. A quick phone call took care of it but it begs the question, just how do they get away with it?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm with E ON and have a smart meter that tells you how much energy you're using and also automatically sends meter reading so you don't have to. Since it's been fitted my DD have come down £5 twice. Pretty sure British Gas are the only other company that supply them at the moment and they're free.

We got the EON smart meter as standard when we moved into the brand new house. Been a godsend in telling you what you are spending and we've been able to give them a meter reading online as soon as they are needed so never get any of these estimates. Very happy so far

 

[DCB]

Simplest answer to these issues is to give a meter reading once a month, say that last day of the month, and do that every month. That way the supplier can't make assumptions and calculate your use to suite themselves. It takes a bit of effort on the users part but it is best way to do it. Lodge readings online every month and watch their response. You should be pleasantly surprised at the long term effect.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Simplest answer to these issues is to give a meter reading once a month, say that last day of the month, and do that every month. That way the supplier can't make assumptions and calculate your use to suite themselves. It takes a bit of effort on the users part but it is best way to do it. Lodge readings online every month and watch their response. You should be pleasantly surprised at the long term effect.

How much of a difference does it make. I'm quite happy with Eon but the in laws are still BG. I guess if you have a record of the readings there is no comeback but do they actually then assess and bill based on the confirmed units used?

 

[chellie]

How much of a difference does it make. I'm quite happy with Eon but the in laws are still BG. I guess if you have a record of the readings there is no comeback but do they actually then assess and bill based on the confirmed units used?

They do from my experience with them as do eon. We have gas with EON and electricity with BG.

 

[DCB]

How much of a difference does it make. I'm quite happy with Eon but the in laws are still BG. I guess if you have a record of the readings there is no comeback but do they actually then assess and bill based on the confirmed units used?

If you give them hard data every month they can't make excuses and apply 'estimated' readings on a quarterly basis. Hard data will win hands down as if done every month it gives them little room for manouver It will put you as the user in a strong position to agree a very sensible monthly DD arrangement with them.