British Gas, How Do You Rate Them
Ask a Question
Hi guys, I'm looking to switch my electricity from Octopus to British Gas and looking for some advice. How do people find them and are there any horror stories out there?
Thanks in advance
My friend is with them she pays so much every fortnight then she got a bill saying they wanted £70 every fortnight she couldn't afford that it was only when she said she will look for another company they changed her to a cheaper tariff
I wouldn't do it. There more expensive and terrible! I get sent bills when I aren't due one then can't get one when I am due a bill. Changed the computer system recently so I got new account number but just changed over the gas and not the electric took months to get them to change over the electric. My auntie has had similar problems in that she couldn't get them to send her a bill even though she had given them meter readings. She was sent threatening letters demanding payment and that baliffs would be contacted when she hasn't got a bill so can't pay it. The customer service centre was in South Africa not the UK so I really wouldn't change.
KAW18 I am still receiving gas bills and spam from them at my address for an ex partner who lived elsewhere. He died 4 years ago but I still keep getting them despite telling them at least 4 times he was deceased and I had no connection with the address they are writing about! I now just bin them.
Lynibis yes I've heard alot of stories like yours. I remember one I read about where British Gas sent bills to a address but not in the current owners name it was a previous tenant who had moved out and was living near by. The current tenants tried to contact British Gas but got no where because there didn't have a account with British Gas. When there where out one day British Gas broke into the house to cut them off. I think in the end it got sorted out but British Gas are a terrible company. I'm only with them because my ex who I live with decided to sign up with them.
my mum is with them and being of an older mindset, she won't do direct debit and waits for them to send her a bill every quarter through the post for her to pay at the bank. Well, these go missing, don't get sent, etc and she is on the phone nonstop with them to try and get a bill sent. She's been with them for years and I don't see her changing to another provider, but all she does is complain to me about them.
compingonly I am of an older mindset but I certainly wouldn't put myself under all that worry or stress when a simple direct debit means peace of mind. Is there a reason she won't do it, does she need help but won't ask?
Lynibis she is very capable of setting up a direct debit, she just refuses. she says they will take whatever money they want from her account. She doesn't trust direct debits. She went nuts when I moved out and set up direct debits for myself 
compingonly oh dear, I have never heard of the companies we all use taking whatever they like, in fact dd's are sometimes cheaper. They do, I admit, sometimes over estimate initially but you get it back either yearly or if you phone.
When the big rise happened and everyone had nearly double bills I managed to halve my consumption so accrued nearly 1k. I phoned and within three days it was in my account, savings I didn't know I had
I really rate British Gas, plus have the home care.. so get yearly check ups. Always offers cheapest fix when possible. Luckily this time of year we don’t need to use it.
They were diabolical, they are behaving a little better at the moment but I suspect this will not last long as this is their usual tactic when they have lost lots of customers. Winter 2023 I was left without heating or hot water regardless of being on their vulnerable customer list. My carer was contacting anyone and everyone for help, it only became resolved by emailing their CEO.
With eon now and was British Gas before that, no issues with BG just had a better deal from eon. I think like most companies now if things go ok , everything is fine, when you have an issue I find nearly all companies are horrendous to deal with these days.
Thank you all for your replies.
I decided to switch to BG because it's so much cheaper than Octopus and even taking into consideration the £75 exit fee , I'll be ahead in a few months.
I have heard loads but can't remember them. My son got rid of his hot tub as the cost was extortionate. His bill went way down and they refused to give him back £500 overpayment as they believed it must somehow be a fiddle, he fought hard but didn't win.
I am with Utility Warehouse and they seem to be consistently cheaper than others plus you can have mobile and broadband for more discount as a package.
Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community
Chief Bargain Hunter
