mathew Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 had a gas connection (the pipe work etc) installed into the house about 6 months ago but never actually got a live gas supply as i was renovating the whole house and didnt need gas and still wont for another few weeks. so a few days ago my bill came through from swalec for my electricity which is all fine but also in the envelope was a gas bill for £185!!! so i phoned them up and asked how this was possible as i havnt even got gas yet and the dude the other end said its an estimate. how can they estimate my gas use when i dont even have gas?!?! so the guys starts to realise i dont have gas and said they can waive that bill which will only leave me with a £25 service charge for the gas. i asked whats the service charge for and he said the gas supply! at this point i swore a wee bit at him as i really was losing my patience as i pointed out again that i dont have a f***ing gas supply! 20minutes later and 3 transfers i finally talk to someone who saw sense (or so i thought) and agreed i shouldnt pay a service charge but was told to inform them when my gas gets connected. so thats me informing my gas supplier that they are providing me with gas! god give me strength!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Lol, Either not enough questions asked when you asked them to install the the gas supply or you were not told. The following is based on a meter being in the property. You have had a gas supply fitted with a meter in situ, the new supply process does take a very long time for your account to become active. Like ANY energy supply the utility company has to estimate useage if the meter could not be read. So what you got was correct, SWALEC has done exactly what their trading licence states. Service charge is called a 'Standing Charge', again nothing wrong there, you have went with a supplier that charges you whether you use it or not. Most utility companies operate a 2 teir tariff it swings in roundabouts if this will be cheaper or not for you. SWALEC with what you have written has done absolutely nothing wrong, apart from not explaining well enough how estimates work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted August 25, 2008 Author Share Posted August 25, 2008 Like ANY energy supply the utility company has to estimate useage if the meter could not be read. i understand the estimate bit as i had that with my electricity bills a few months back but surely it would say on their system that i dont even have a gas supply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Couple of questions. 1) Were the pipes installed? (first post confirms this but just checking) 2) Do you have a meter installed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now