British Gas and their mistakes

[seanamarts]

BG has made a few c**k ups with regards to my family and recently myself and I need some advice in getting money back paid to them that they shouldnt of been getting in the first place.

 

1st story,

My boyfriend took over a works unit, BG was adamant that they were the supplier to that unit, so when the bills came in my boyfriend paid them, a while later he started getting bills from Eon, he called BG and they again were adamant that they were the supplier so he ignored the bills from eon, until he got a letter from eon stating that they were the supplier and he needed to pay them or they would take steps to get a warrant to have his supply cut off. He called them and explained that he had been paying BG and that they told him that they were the supplier, any way this went back and forth and it was eventually investigated by eon and it turns out that BG has been billing my boyfriend for the wrong meter that belongs to another unit, not even for the meter he uses.

Eon now wants over 1000 pounds or they will cut him off.. these bills have been estimated and in no way does he use that much for a start this is a very small part time business and the most he uses is a welder about once a month and lights. Ive written to eon (still awaiting a reply) to ask that they reduce this amount and for my boyfriend to take weekly readings for the next month so that they can get a better estimate of how much he uses.. this has been going on for over 3 almost three years... He has asked for BG to repay all the money that he has paid them but as yet they have not responded.. the bills were paid over 2 years ago.. does he stand a chance getting this money back.. it would certainly be a big help towards eons bills. Also how far back can a supply company claim bills for.

 

2nd story

My daughter moved into her home.. it had a gas box but she had no gas in the house.. she was there for only 6 months.. when she moved she got a bill from BG for over 300 pounds, estimated.. she calls them up and was told that she owed it because they supplied her gas.. she told them she didnt run any gas appliances so how could she owe it.. they told her she still had to pay a standing charge.. but surely thats not over 300 pounds.. she told them she is not going to pay it and they need to get their mistakes sorted before sending her any more bills.. its now gone over to debt collectors and she gets calls on average about 4 times a week demanding that she pays this.. even though she has explained time and time again that she dosnt owe it.. can she get this stopped.. if so how.

 

3rd story

i moved into a new property and guess what BG was the supplier to both gas and electric, electric is on a key meter.

going by the trouble my daughter and boyfriend had and also wanting to stay with my supplier from my old premises i go through the motions of switching.. 1st problem, even though they have sent bills to 'the new occupier' they deny that they supply neither gas or electric:confused: after long conversations with BG and calling my old supplier they confirm that BG do supply the property.. took them a few mins on the phone, pity BG cant be arsed to do that. So now BG have got me as a customer, (not for long)

2nd problem, they pair my property up with a wrong meter even though I gave them the serial number they still got it wrong, so when my old supplier try and change things over BG deny them because the previous occupier owes them over 300 pounds. actually it was some one who lived here over 2 years ago. I have also found out that I am paying off a debt that the previous owner had at 7 pounds aweek.

3rd problem I am getting red bills for the gas and threats of debt collectors in the name of 'the occupier' even though they know I am at this address and have registered with them and they have the serial number of the gas box, paired to this address. I call them and they tell me to ignore them and no more will be sent out... wrong Im still getting them..

They admit their mistakes and say they will compensate me and refund me back the money that I have forked out, but wont pay me until the matter is resolved.. im still paying the debt on the meter and im on benefits and cant afford to pay out for this Im having to not use my oven and use my washing machine and tumble dryer only for a very short time during the week.. im disabled and need to use these things, but they are not pulling their finger out.. and you know what .. their sales team call me up the other day and ask why I want to leave BG.. So I tell them then ask would they stay with a provider who cant get it right ...

how long should I leave this until I start complaining to the next level.. its been over a week now since I found all this out and cant wait for much longer.. its making me really ill now and get upset over thos on a daily basis.. I have to check the meter every day to make sure I have enough to get me through the week.

I wouls appriciate any help on this matter.

[dunncha]

I am having problems with British Gas although not quite the same as you. You can see my thread further down the page (Got in a tangle between British Gas and Scottish-Southern)

 

I got my situation moving towards being cleared up by contacting: Consumer Direct and they will intervene on your behalf. When you contact these companies on your own they have no interest in helping you as you have no power.

 

A quick email from Consumer Direct and they are falling over themselves to resolve my complaint.

Edited April 29, 2009 by dunncha
doh! Spelling

[seanamarts]

I am having problems with British Gas although not quite the same as you. You can see my thread further down the page (Got in a tangle between British Gas and Scottish-Southern)

 

I got my situation moving towards being cleared up by contacting: Consumer Direct and they will intervene on your behalf. When you contact these companies on your own they have no interest in helping you as you have no power.

 

A quick email from Consumer Direct and they are falling over themselves to resolve my complaint.

 

Thanks for that I will get right on it now.. just had more problems with them and basically trying to blackmail me into staying with them.. not going to compensate me even though twice they have said they would and now are not going to give me back the money i have paid with the debt on the meter.. im so angry im crying

[seanamarts]

was just emailing consumer direct when i get a call from BG

they have just offered me 10 pound compensation:eek:.. its better than nowt i suppose...

[dunncha]

Tell them to confirm everything in writing via email as you have now involved Consumer Direct as it would be easier to forward all correspondence to them that way.

 

They will tell you how it works with Consumer Direct is they sort the problem with you and then inform Consumer Direct on your behalf. Just tell them you want your own record. insist. They won't like it and will send you a micky mouse email thanking you for you time in discussing you problems. reply back saying

 

'in our telephone conversation you said this how will this work blah blah blah' That way they have to respond to you specific questions and you have a record. And if they don't respond another complaint to Consumer Direct.

 

A telephone call isn't worth the paper its written on.