to ask what will happen if I dont pay the electricity bill 2 weeks after it's due?

[snaplockslags]

I just cant see how I'm going to manage it, I simply don't have the money until the end of the month, will I get sent to prison!?!
We aren't usually late with our bills but this one is a woppa (£600) for four months worth
I cant stop worrying about it
Thanks

Nothing will happen. They probably won't even get around to sending a letter in two weeks.

The previous bills have been around the 250 mark so this was a bolt from the blue
thank you!

You'll get a red bill giving you 7 days to pay...and even then you can take a bit longer if needs be.

But just ring them up

Be firm and tell them that you'll be paying on a certain date and just stick to it.

Don't let them talk you into making an arrangement to pay any sooner than you can...and if they tell you they might charge you for late payment, tell them you'll take your custom elsewhere.

But don't sweat it...2 weeks is fine.

Phone them.
They will understand.
Sort out a payment plan that you can afford, and that doesn't need you short for other essentials.
Much better to let them know than worry about it.
Honestly, you are not alone in finding it tough to make payments at this moment.

They will send you a reminder. If you don't pay, and depending on which company you're using, they will send someone to come and see you. You can call them up and ask to pay in installments or on a specific date, they really won't send you to prison. The worst that can happen is that they will change your meter to a prepayment one.

You'll get a red letter reminder. If this is the first time you haven't paid on time, you'll be on the slower debt path so that will take a couple of months before anything serious happens eg warrants, etc.

It may be worth calling your supplier to see if they can offer you any support. They may be able to spread your payments over a longer period as long as you can keep paying for what you're currently using.

Ring them. I once got a whopper of a bill £900. I paid by direct debit every month but they estimated wrong for ages.I rang and said I couldn't afford it, so they set up a better payment schedual. Could you afford smaller payments over a few weeks till it has cleared?

Yes I have given them £100 already, I could probably stretch to £80 this friday, then the rest at the end of the month, maybe Ill just call them. Thank you everyone

Could you go direct debit?
I spread mine out over months, just upped my original amount by about £40 a month till it cleared. Made things much easier for us.

oh wow that sounds good thanks johnnydeppsnewmrs

You need to investigate the huge discrepancy in bills.

Perhaps set up a direct debit?

It must better to ring them. They will help out, give them a date you can pay and they will mark it on the system.
If you didn't the worst that would happen is a reminder will come out in another 14 days. I just find it better to not let it get there. As long as they know you are going to pay its fine.
When you call British gas there is an option on the automated system that is 'if you want to advise us that you are going to pay'.

Yes, I have rang them about it and they gave me this very very convoluted explanation I made him explain it 4 times and I still don't understand

Phone them and explain that you have money problems, im sure they will come up with a plan to suit you.
Is discusting isn't it?-the amount we pay for gas&elec mine is £180 a month !!!
I think the goverment needs to crack down on the energy providers

Agree with calling them, they're more likely to help if you get in touch. And also would advise you check your meter reading. They managed to read a 4 on ours as a 9 once, and sent us a bill for about a grand. For a quarter, in a 2 bed semi

If you are not already on a direct debit with them, then ring them up and get put on it, and they will spread the bill across the year.

Its not a massive difference if the bill have been estimated for a while.
to make sure ask them to check your usage against the same period last year and compare the average units used. Unless its been estimated since last year, it will show if your bill could be wrong or meter inaccurate.

Was the bill based on an estimate or an actual reading ?.
Check what the meter is showing now. I think if it is way out you can give them the actual reading and they should recalculate your bill for that quarter.

Have they put you on a new tariff ?, as that around 150% increase.

Can you tell me what they said. I should be able to explain. Pm me if you prefer.

Just call the company. Tell them the exact date you wish to pay. As it is only two weeks, they'll be O.K. That is it. :)

They initially gave us a £250 estimate bill and I rang them and said that we were supposed to be on the 'we ring you and tell us a meter reading and you give us our actual balance type scheme' so the new bill was £603 totally shot self in foot there

So you provide your metre readings? Have you been doing? If so there should be a problem and you need to check your tariff or have the meter tested.

Better to sort it now snaplock - it would only snowball.
Give them a ring and sort out payments.

No, they won't send you to prison! Tehy will send out the red bill after a couple weeks with a further week or so to pay that. If you are still struggling by then, give them a ring and they will arrange a monthly payment plan.