C H R O N I C L E

Mrs Monk’s

Would-Be Diary

British Gas, You’re Fired

9 March 2006

Like most British Gas customers, we use them because we always have, and have never troubled ourselves to switch. They are certainly fat and uncompetitive and apparently comfortable with their loyal base of established customers, two of whom are the Monks.

A switch to another energy supplier may not yeald a great cash saving for the Monks, and it is hard to tell since the charges are not exactly transparently understandable, but it seems that by most calculations, British Gas are one of the least competitive gas suppliers. What is more, is that they are traditionally the first to raise prices, and this current energy crisis is the current excuse this time around.

Their smooth ad campaigns talk about how their competitors are putting up there prices, but ignores the fact that the competitors are led in that direction by British Gas.

We have checked out the U-Switch web site and I have no idea if their recommendation that we switch to N-power, is well advised or not, but in any event I am pleased to be able to say at last,....., British Gas, You’re Fired.

And by the way, Powergen, You’re Fired, also.

The sharp end of British Gas, now known also as Centrica plc. This is a link to a chart explaining the structure of British Gas for your information Http://www.bgplc.com/

Here is a link to U-Switch.

Shoestringonline.co.uk

British Gas, You’re Fired

AGAIN

7 April  2006

The BBC has helpfully analysed the issue of PPI (Payment Protection Plans) in their programme, The £5 Billion Protection Racket

Mrs Monk knows that I get animated about this, and alerted me to the programme as it appeared.

And yes indeed, in the same week that Banks are threatened with a capping of their rip-off charges for transactions on overdrawn accounts, they are now accused by the BBC programme of excessive charging of PPI. Both banking tactics are directed at the most vulnerable. It was always thus.

The BBC went further than this and exposed mal practise on an endemic scale, explaining the common practise of the “opting-in” of unwitting customers to this unnecessary and highly profitable charge, by all banks.

The BBC tested all of these banks and, surprisingly the worst offender turned out to be the “bank” of British Gas, who charges the most for PPI. and should be ashamed of themselves.

I spent five minutes of my time switching from British Gas. It was easy and it felt good; we were cleansed, once and for all.

British Gas. You’re Fired, again.Http://www.bgplc.com/

Here is a link to U-Switch.

Shoestringonline.co.uk