Gas & Electricity bills
Tory MP, Peter Luff, has criticised gas and electricity companies for putting up customers’ direct debits unnecessarily.
I can confirm this happens with Grittish Bass - I’ve had to tell them the last two or three times that they’ve sent a bill to reduce the direct debit because they’ve put it up for no reason. On one occasion they actually put the direct debit up while we were in credit.
The reason why they do it is quite simple - they invest the credit balances on accounts and pocket the profit. The direct debit amount is calculated by a computer which estimates how much gas and electric you’re going to use over the next quarter but of course, the computer will use whatever rules it’s been given to come up with a figure and the rules they’re using are coming up with artificially high figures.
There is a simple solution though - if your gas or electricity company sends you a bill with a revised direct debit that you think is unreasonable then tell them. I’ve certainly had no problems telling them how much I’m prepared to pay, you just need to be firm when they try and persuade you to pay what they want.
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by wonkotsane on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 at 6:25 pm and is filed under General.
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British Gas are giving pay as you go - duel fuel customers a discount cheque of £15 each. Not alot but it’s something, probably a weeks worth of electricity to a pensioner.
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 pmThanks for this — very useful information. Does it work for train companies as well?
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 pmJohn, that’s good. They’ve been ripping off people on token meters for a long time, it’s about time they gave some back.
Rob, you could try it but I don’t fancy your chances!
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 pmRather than use DD (devils debits), try using a Standing Order.
Agree a monthly amount with them, then put in place a Standing Order, where the amount is fixed. If they wish to change it, they must ask you to change it.
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 pmThe only problem with paying by standing order is that you don’t get the DD discount which is worth having, especially with the price of gas and electric being so high.
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm