There really IS no escape from them (British Gas)

Member Name: Bagpuss Bee

Product:	British Gas
Date:	12/12/03 (1192 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can't think of any

Disadvantages: You can't escape from them, They lie

In a nutshell I changed my gas supply in April 2003 from British Gas to Sainsbury's Energy (Scottish Power) - I was quite happy to do this and had no second thoughts. Sainsbury's told me that I didn't have to do anything else and they would sort out the transfer from British Gas.

In May I had a gas bill from British Gas, whom I contacted to explain that I'd switched to Sainsbury's Energy. I telephoned Sainbury's Energy who told me that British Gas had applied for an 'erroneous transfer' to resupply my gas, even though I had not agreed to this. I was advised by Sainsbury's not to pay the gas bill because they would sort it out for me. And I heard no more, thinking that that was the last of it (ha ha ha) I have continued to pay both my gas and electricity bill by Direct Debit to Sainsbury's Energy.

However, in September I recieved another gas bill from British Gas - so again I contacted Sainbury's Energy and they told me that the same thing had happened again, that it was an 'erroneous transfer request' from BG and the person I spoke to promised to sort it out for me.
Now I have had a 'overdue' bill from British Gas, and a disconnection notice saying they are going to come and disconnect my gas, with the police present.

I am not with British Gas. As far as I'm concerned I signed to a form back in April to have Sainsbury's Energy supply my gas, so why do British Gas keep billing me??
Today I first telephoned Sainsbury's Energy who confirmed that British Gas tried to resupply my gas between July and September - the amount I am being billed for. They contacted Transco who confirmed that between July and September British Gas were supplying my gas - this I did NOT agree to.

I then telephoned British Gas who informed me that they have NEVER recieved notification from anyone about changing my gas supply. This is clearly a load of rubbish since the last bill I
paid them was back in November of last year! I think I would have definately been disconnected by now if that was the case. If that was true, why do they keep applying to transfer gas supply back to them??

They told me to ring Transco, which I did but couldn't get anywhere because of their completely useless voice recognition system. As far as I am aware I do not talk like a martian.

Obviously I am very worried that my gas supply is going to be disconnected even though I have not agreed to be supplied by British Gas, and have been paying my direct debit to Sainsbury's Energy.

This saga is definately not over. I will keep you posted.

Summary: