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Bord Gais deposit - what to do!

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  • 04-06-2009 3:38pm
    #1
    Kimia
    Registered Users Posts: 2,897 ✭✭✭


    Bord Gais want me to pay €200 deposit for being a renter because I've never had gas before. I have not got the money for this.

    What kills me is - they are putting a major advertising push on 'switching' to Bord Gais coz they're great (apparently) - and then when a customer does switch they get screwed because of this deposit.

    I have never not paid a bill, loan, credit card etc. But I genuinely have not got the spare cash flow to pay this extra. I am not unemployed but you know yourself - I'm barely scraping by and everything I spend is scrutinised closely.

    I also don't have anyone to act as my guarantor. I rang their credit control dept and asked them to give me some advice or help and they just said it was policy.

    I have been with ESB previously with no hassle and am really annoyed that I have to pay this deposit which I won't get back for a year, and which was never mentioned on the 'big switch' ads.

    Any advice?


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    #2
    petes
    Registered Users Posts: 8,382 ✭✭✭petes


    Kimia wrote: »

    Any advice?

    It is standard policy. Is that €200 and paying by direct debit or is that the total deposit? I remember it used to be €200 with DD nad €400 without.


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    #3
    Kimia
    Registered Users Posts: 2,897 ✭✭✭Kimia


    Yea that's it. You sound exactly like the person who I was talking to on the phone. I was never informed about this 'policy' when I signed up.


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    #4
    twenty8
    Registered Users Posts: 456 ✭✭twenty8


    ESB actually do exactly the same. You can get it back after 8 months. Consider it a way to save €200.


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    #5
    JDxtra
    Registered Users Posts: 5,911 ✭✭✭JDxtra


    Sounds fair to me to be honest. Im sure they have been stung by renters in the past doing a runner. Think of it as a low interest savings account!


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    #6
    petes
    Registered Users Posts: 8,382 ✭✭✭petes


    Kimia wrote: »
    Yea that's it. You sound exactly like the person who I was talking to on the phone. I was never informed about this 'policy' when I signed up.


    Thanks. Either was I when I had to do it. No information but it is on the website as far as I can recall.

    It's not called a security deposit for nothing!


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    #7
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    I checked out the Big Switch with the same intentions - having been an ESB customer for over 10 years now - only to find this deposit clause.

    Now in fairness, I can understand why they apply it. But I think that they could do a little more to promote it in their advertising.


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    #8
    cute_cow
    Registered Users Posts: 636 ✭✭✭cute_cow


    You have 2 choices. Either sign up to DD and pay €200 deposit or if you don't sign up to DD, its €400.

    I beleive if you have had a gas bill in your name in other rented accomodation within the last 3 years, they may be able to waive this.


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    #9
    tony1kenobi
    Registered Users Posts: 3,748 ✭✭✭tony1kenobi


    Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.


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    #10
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,497 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    tony1kenobi wrote: »
    Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.

    BG is entitled to cover its arse be looking for a deposit, especially with rented accom as its common for people to move on without paying....its the same reason why ESB also looks for a deposit now


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    #11
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    twenty8 wrote: »
    ESB actually do exactly the same. You can get it back after 8 months. Consider it a way to save €200.

    Its actually after 14 months- it comes off your next bill after you have been a customer for 1 year.


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    #12
    soc
    Registered Users Posts: 488 ✭✭soc


    If you're trying to sign-up for BG electricity - then go for Airtricity... they don't charge a deposit, and make is easier to budget month-to-month as they debit your bank a/c an equal amount every month.

    If, on the otherhand, you're signing up for actual gas from BG... then I'm afraid you're screwed! Sorry!


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    #13
    Little A
    Registered Users Posts: 321 ✭✭Little A


    tony1kenobi wrote: »
    Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.

    The landlord is providing the facilities for heat & electricity, but is the tenants responsibility to pay for it. The LL is not responsible for Bord Gais & ESB's T&C's.


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