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Last week I opened my latest gas bill and found that the standing charge has gone up from 8.9p per day to 60.97p per day, a 585% increase. I don't actually use any gas at all here at my shop so I am now being charged £234 per year for a service I don't use. I had always accepted the previous rate as a necessary evil and a fair price for someone to come round and check the meter four times a year. When I contacted British Gas they explained that the contract had 'auto-renewed' and that the new rate is the standard for business premises. When I enquired about having the meter disconnected I was quoted £200 + VAT and told that I would need permission from my landlord and that it may cost several thousand to reconnect me at a future date.
Help..................
Please.................
keep complaining, get them to tell you who the consumer complaints group is
it's a common trick by all the energy retailers for small businesses
Hi I work for British Gas and whilst I have no idea about the business side of the company I can only say go to Ofgem as soon as possible and once you have go back BG and tell them you have gone to Ofgem. The flap that our people on the phones seem to get in to when they are told that normally speeds up processes no end.
Yup, Ofgem. You're considered a micro-business consumer (less than 200,000kW hr of gas per year).
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/Pages/Bc.aspx
Check the New Rules bit in the Helping small businesses factsheet. Did they do any of that?
I had a gas meter at my old premises but never used the space heater and also never paid a standing order. I told them I wasn't using any gas and refused to accept it.
I told them they could gladly remove the meter or switch off the supply outside the premises. They did neither but also never charged me again but still sent a meter reader out every 6 months or so.
Thanks folks. I've now had a call back from their customer services and have been told that they have marked my account 'free to go' so if I can find a better deal I can change without having to wait until the end of the year-long contract. Time to start searching.