OK not so much a con as sheer incompetence
I spent 6 years trying to pay for the gas I (and the four others I sublet to) used. Every 6 months or so, I'd ring up British Gas and tell them that I didn't seem to be getting billed...

Once the person on the other end had stopped laughing, they'd take all my details, take the meter number, the address, the reading I'd taken on moving in, the current meter reading and then they'd promise to send someone round.

And then it'd go quiet till I got more antsy about the sheer amount of money I'd owe if they DID send a bill.

Eventually, I moved. I rang them to say I was moving and they said thank you and that they'd forward the final bill.

I'm still waiting 7 years on... Maybe they forgot to put a stamp on or something.
( chthonic, Fri 19 Oct 2007, 10:32, 3 replies)

Forgot the stamp?
Don't worry, it'll reach you eventually.

Just been caught up in the postal strike, thats all!!

7 years? That's nothing for Royal Snail.
(Dionysian Aut viam inveniam aut faciam, Fri 19 Oct 2007, 10:36, closed)

At least they're unlike other companies
Incompetent at taking your money as well was useless at customer service, most are just useless at customer service!

I always found it funny that if you phone up these companies they believe your meter reading over that of the people they send out to read your meter, even after they have recently called around!
(iapetus, Fri 19 Oct 2007, 12:14, closed)

British Gas
Oh I remember ..... it took them best part of a year to notice we had moved into a new house, despite our regular reminders.

First we heard from them was a debt collection letter threatening to cut us off for non-payment. So I wrote back to point out that I'd happily pay if they would be so kind as to send me a bill.

Twunts.
(patently Was somewhere else on, Fri 19 Oct 2007, 12:29, closed)