Surprised by a belated refund
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
September 28, 2015 10:19am CST
Several months ago I changed my gas and electricity supplier from British Gas to Scottish Power. I was asked to provide meter readings to be used for closing figures with British Gas and opening figures with Scottish Power.
After paying the final British Gas bill, Scottish Power chose to estimate a reading and notified British Gas. This made my first bill with Scottish Power a little higher, but meant that I had overpaid British Gas, who then reassessed the bill and issued a new bill showing a refund of £11-54.
This bill was displayed on their website along with notification that I would receive the refund by cheque. This was dated 13th May, yet up to this morning I had received nothing. Considering the small amount involved I never bothered to chase the refund and simply ignored it.
To my surprise I arrived home today to find the cheque had been delivered. It has been 4½ months since the bill was created, so I was certainly surprised.
5 people like this
7 responses
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
28 Sep 15
That's terrible. They should refund it to your bank account, not wait so long and then issue a cheque in the hope you'll lose it or forget to cash it.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
28 Sep 15
@boiboing This has long been a pet hate of mine. British Gas asked me to start paying directly to their account many years ago because it saves on administration costs etcetera, yet every time That I received any payment from them it was sent by cheque.
Of course they are not the only company to adopt this practice, it is common practice these days.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Sep 15
@kevin1877uk After 4 months it seemed reasonable to assume that the refund had been overlooked or ignored, so it was the last thing that I expected the postman to bring.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
28 Sep 15
Better late than never, but I think somebody there was drinking forgetful juice.
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
28 Sep 15
yes don't you wish those would come all the time that would be the greatest thing
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Sep 15
@softbabe44 All amounts should be deposited directly into the bank instead of sending cheques. British Gas have been insisting for years that their customers pay directly rather than by cheque, but they do not practice what they preach.
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
29 Sep 15
@Asylum the small amount shoulda been deposited theses days thru the bank
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
28 Sep 15
It is certainly better in your pocket than theirs. Surprisingly British Gas are quick to take money but incredibly slow to pay it back out eh!
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
28 Sep 15
@Asylum You are not far wrong there. I had to threaten BG with court action for harassment as they were constantly ringing me. They have now stopped thankfully! They are liars too and have been for years.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
29 Sep 15
Sometimes it's the red tape within the company/organization that causes simple things to be delayed. I've experienced trivial issues that couldn't be addressed simply because the person in charge was not available and everything was subject to that person's approval. Glad you finally received the refund.
