Oh dear God...
...I mentioned that I have a lot of trouble with firms - I can only think it's my name being a somewhat common name that causes it.
A few years ago, I received a gas bill. Pretty normal, I'm sure you'll agree.
I open it up and see that from the 23rd of May to the 25th of May I apparently have used 890 quids worth of gas. Two days! If I'd cut the gas pipes and simply set light to them I doubt I would have used that much, despite their over-inflated prices.
Clearly, it's a mistake. I phoned them up, all joking like: "Ha - I think you've made an error here."
"I assure you Mr.Dchurch, we have not made an error."
"...but I couldn't possibly have used that much gas in two days..."
...this carries on for a while. What started as a polite, even jolly conversation is slowly turning into a slagging match. I give up and put the phone down. It's best to deal with these big firms by letter in any case.
So I set about writing a letter - the tone is jovial and polite.
I recieve a letter back a couple of weeks later informing me that there is no error and that I have used [insert number] units of gas in the period mentioned. I look up their tarrif, and I clearly have not used 890 quids worth of gas - it was more like 67 pence. I write back and tell them this.
They write back saying that if I don't pay, then it will be passed to their "Collections Team" - Ooooooh, don't!
I then received an electric bill - both were with the same firm. This wasn't anywhere near as high, but I figured that if they could get the gas wrong, I'd better check the leccy. Sure enough, it was about 25% out - in their favour. I wrote back with readings (despite a man taking the readings not long ago) and their tarrif, and the workings showing the *real* price.
Yep, they wrote back "There is no mistake, your calculations are wrong".
Nine letters went back and forth.
They eventually wrote me a letter saying that I was correct (I was actually 25p out - I don't know how) and that on this occasion, as a gesture of goodwill they would accept £xx.xx (the amount - I forget now how much this one was).
So, as a gesture of goodwill, and only on that occasion, they would accept what I owed them, based on a price for goods rendered?
I wrote back saying that at the £9.75 allowed by the County Courts Act for my time, that had they taken me to court over the matter as they threatened in no less than 6 of the letters, then in fact they would have owed me £87.85 - about twice what the bill was. I said that I don't accept cheques, although I would accept postal orders. I never heard another thing.
Still though, to this day (some 4 years later) they are still chasing me for the 890 quid for the gas I supposedly used over two spring days.
I really wish they would come good on their threats of court action; for the love of chips and all things greasy, I have tried my level best to resolve the issue amicably. I'd like to see the dressing down a county court judge would give them.
The firm in question, of course, rhymes with Gittish Bass.
(dchurch bah, Thu 2 Sep 2010, 23:57, 7 replies)

Imagine what it'll be like when all the public services get privatised.
Relentless greed + zero responsibility = hell for all.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 0:01, closed)

why would a judge give them a dressing gown?

(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 0:19, closed)

Because they'll be chilly
seeing as dchurch has used all the gas.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 1:17, closed)

^
nicely done!
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 9:56, closed)

What's this £9.75 you mention?

( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 1:18, closed)

If
someone threatens you with, or you are taking someone to a county court, then you must prepare.
The County Courts Act allows up to £9.75 per hour for preparation/costs/materials etc... which you can of course, claim back from the other party should you win the case.
If you lose however, then you're fucked.
(dchurch bah, Sun 5 Sep 2010, 7:21, closed)

They are unmitigated bastards.
I spent the coldest winter of my life in a flat in Liverpool without any heating. I had to sleep fully-clothed every night, and use the oven hobs to warm my hands. We kept spare duvets in the living room for visitors to wear.
This was all because, after several hours of phone calls and two days off work waiting for an engineer who never arrived, Gittish Bass helpfully informed me that, in fact, my flat did not exist. Therefore I was not eligible for their product.
( Wet-chinned bag shanker Cannot parse Wogan, Fri 3 Sep 2010, 12:16, closed)