Forum Topic

British gas

Now it is impossible to talk to anyone at British Gas- after saying ‘ go on line’ they just switch the phone off... sign of the times and some people would just say switch... not always easy when one doesn’t want to do it on line.surely this is completely unacceptable.  Some of us feel nervous at switching and I am sure these big companies are just the same.

Helen Bamberger ● 2198d9 Comments

I found the service from British Gas was completely unacceptable years ago, and have avoided them ever since.  So in your shoes I would want to switch.But I've just suffered from my energy supplier, Tonik, going bust and I've been moved by Ofgem to Scottish Power.  I've had to supply meter readings (physically very awkward since Tonik installed smart meters) and haven't been told yet what Scottish Power's tariff will be. So switching can have its own problems.Which? magazine recommended the following energy suppliers for 2020:Octopus EnergyPure PlanetSo Energy

Richard Jennings ● 2198d

HelenI have switched about five time now, my last switch was to Octopus energy who are cheaper than British Gas and have a good customer service department.You can just phone on go on the internet to contact them to say you would like to switch to them.The details they will require, can be found on your paper bill or online bill, once they have all the details required they contact British Gas to tell them you have switch to them.It’s cheaper if you go for a dual tariff account supply both Gas  and Electricity in case you are not on dual tariff now. You just give the details of the two separate company’s and Octopus energy will contact both companies for you.Some time it takes 15 to 30 days for a completed switch but it well worth it to be able To have cheaper energy supply and a customer service you can talk to.

Bernard Allen ● 2198d

Thanx Bernard - I may be a wimp but just nervous- will look up octopus phone number soon.

Helen Bamberger ● 2198d

I found the service from Scottish Power was appalling a few years ago and as a result I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

Richard Greenhough ● 2198d

Richard Jennings explained:" But I've just suffered from my energy supplier, Tonik, going bust"My supplier Ebico went the same way. Ebico certainly,and possibly also Tonik, got their supplies from RobinHood Energy, which was run by Nottingham Council.And it was Robin Hood going bust that set the whole thing in motion.I was moved back to British Gas with the undertakingthat I would be on exactly the same tariff for aroundthe next 6 months. It's only a guess, but quite possibly this is a condition imposed by Offgas in the event of any supplier going bust. That customers are given the option of moving to another supplier offering the same tariff for at least the next 6 months.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2198d

I agree, Richard. Unless they've improved their customer service, and in particular their accounting, since I switched from them, I would never again contemplate having Scottish Power as my energy supplier.

Robert Fish ● 2198d

I’ve heard very good things about Octopus 🐙

Georgina Flint ● 2198d

I switched to Octopus 3 years ago for 100% renewable energy and they’ve been great.No problem at all and I’m so much in credit that they’ve cancelled my d/d.Lovely people who let me know exactly what’s happening with the industry and how many trees they’re planting etc.Highly recommended by Which and Friends of the Earth.

Rima Jones ● 2198d

Thankyou everyone for all your advice-

Helen Bamberger ● 2198d