DON'T BE FOOLED (British Gas - Combined)

Member Name: linda01865

Product:	British Gas - Combined
Date:	31/08/01 (453 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: NONE

Disadvantages: RUDENESS, PAY OUT MORE

I am writing this opinion as a warning to others that might have been stopped in shopping centres, or asked at the door to change from the current supplier to British Gas.I would like to put over my viewpoint of what has happened to us. I hope it will help others.

We were busy as usual shopping in our local centre at Templars Square,Cowley,Oxford.It was not long before we were approached by a sales gentleman wearing a nice clean suit. He seemed to be very positive of his company: that if we changed to them, we would get very good savings on our yearly gas, and electric bills. After reading quite throughly alot of forms, we agreed,my husband and self, that the deal sounded very good and that there were savings to be had.

The change-over was quite fast, and took 4 weeks,arranging to pay as agreed by direct debit at the end of the month.Ok nothing wrong with that. The first couple of months went nice and smooth. Then the third month came, and we found that we were billed twice for the same amount.

After numerious calls, and holding on we eventually was greeted with a representative of the board. The person conserned was very blunt over the phone, and the conversation was something like:" Well mistakes do happen,Not our fault,we will get it paid back as soon as possible."

Two months later it was credited back.In the same month our payment which was monthly started to climb.The original payments were: £12 per month on electric, and £17 per month on gas. Now we may be a three bed house, and have gas central heating, plus a gas cooker but we use average amounts like most people.

The bill then went up, making our new payments £14 for electric and £25 to the gas. This continued for about another 4/5 months. A meter reader called to check the meters and went.On doing so he said that they seemed set very high and felt that it was wrong. Nothing was altered, but he said we should mention it to the firm.

Onto
the service department again. This time it was a gentleman. Conversation:"Oh yer, right ok well what you want us to do about it then. you must owe a large bill". Us "No sorry you have that wrong we are in fact in credit". "Hold the line I will check.""ok checked yes you are in credit,but we will leave it like that and see how you go." They would NOT change it.

A few more months on, and more bills getting dearer and dearer, and seeing our once monthly charge of £12 elec and £17 gas now climb to £17 electric and over £40 for gas per month.We decided enough was enough, we changed suppier or tried to. British gas tried to stop us every time by issuing another bill to us, and objecting to the change over. After negotiations with our new company we paid british gas on one day and got the new supplier to take our first payment the same day to them so British gas could not take it back and send another bill.

This we thought had been sorted the new firm informed british gas on the 28th of june,2001 that the services were now with them. first payments to new supplier went from bank account on the 28th july,2001.

Today in the post what do we recieve? Amother bill from british gas stating that we owe them £46. We do not owe them a penny.

Again on the phone and hang on. A very rude and argumentive reception was the response. "Well we were only told yesterday. You owe that bill you gotta pay it or else attitude."

We contacted our new supplier Southern electric. The lady on the phone could not have been more helpful if she had tried. We are now awaiting the notification from british gas to confirm that the bill is void. However I do not hold my breath with this.

Sorry British gas you are nothing but con artists, and trick people into beliving you can save them money. We I will never be back with you and will not reccommend any of your staff. We have had nothing but rudene
ss
and overpricing.

Summary: