British Gas Pay As You Go

[Ch49]

We decided last week that we would change to pay as you go for our electricity as we felt we would rather be in charge of our money instead if relying on estimated bills.
We contacted British Gas and paid off the outstanding balance and the chap said it would take 48 hours and we would receive an email. We'll there has been a weekend and Bank Holiday since then and having heard nothing we rang British Gas. We hate to stay it but it was rather difficult to understand the young lady we spoke to. After a while she was able to tell us that we would be changed to pay on 31st August. Well we have heard nothing this morning and really do not want to phone again and go through a similar experience. Any ideas please ?

[Tilly2]

Do they have a chat option on their website?
If not, an email might get more of a response.

[roadman]

try log in to your account online it might tell you something there if not you might be able to live chat with someone i sometimes find it easier because there are no accents to written text unless you write in french or suttin

[Redhelen72]

contact them again
By pay as you go do you mean a meter change to prepay - you do know that is a lot more expensive?
Or do you mean you have cancelled your direct debit and will get a monthly bill on submitting a meter reading

[roadman]

i submit a meter reading every month it is the best way i tell you this for free this reminds me i must submit one today everyone do it with me now

[roadman]

i pay about 2.50 max every day for gass and elec at the moment the price i am paying now is the same as i used to pay in the winter next winter i think i will be paying about 100 pound a month meaning my daily will go to about 3.30 at the moment i pay 66 a month for gas and elec

[meaghan72]

I would suggest you cancel your direct debit as soon as possible. This will get their attention immediately and, this is from direct experience of the same matter, someone will either call you very soon or send you an email advising you of all the horrible (joke) things that will happen to you if you don't pay your Bill. Explain to them what you are going to do ie wait for your Statement and pay the full amount owing for that month. they will still try to persuade you otherwise but stand your ground. The only downside of this is maybe you are on a cheaper tariff because you pay by direct debit, which may go up if you stop. Check carefully this is not the case.

[douglas9401]

British Gas are, without doubt, the least efficient and modernised of the energy thieves.
Their website screams 'dial-up' and the phone operatives have been trained from the 1970s.

There, that's better.

[barry1010]

As already said on this thread a discount is usually given for paying by monthly direct debit. You can still control your bills, to a point, whilst paying by DD.
Claim any credit you have, this must be refunded or they must give you a good reason.
Submit your readings every month and if your DD hasn't covered your usage make an additional payment. This is allowed and doesn't affect the discount.
By the end of winter you will not owe anything and you will be better placed to negotiate your monthly DD

Choose an energy provider that pays interest on credit balances so when you are in credit at least you are getting the benefit.

[nero2024]

i pay my bills on receipt . (on line) meaning i pay for what I've used not a monthly debit, always have done this .im with shell,

[Old_Geezer]

It's British Gas. Did you really expect them to run things smoothly ?