 Post-match showers meant an expensive wash |
A Scottish rugby club has revealed how it was shocked to find out it had been charged �46,000 for using nine showers after its games. Peebles Rugby Club was charged for using its Hay Lodge clubhouse facilities over a three-month period.
The Scottish Gas mistake flushed out much of the club's finances.
It increased the club's direct debit payments from �20 per month to �400 and again to �800 before the error was finally rectified.
Peebles Rugby Club Treasurer Gerard Bony said it was "a laughable matter" and the second time the club had been overcharged in 15 months.
Scottish Gas said it was in the process of paying back the money and had sent Mr Bony a gift as a goodwill gesture.
The problem centred on the rugby club's five-digit meter reading being mistaken for six-digits, which led to "wildly inaccurate" billing.
The club's bill for a three-month period came to �46,240 and two pence. Mr Bony said Scottish Gas realised in November it had made a mistake and sent a revised bill for �4,084.
The treasurer phoned Scottish Gas in an attempt to rectify the situation and said he feels he knows everyone who works for the company.
He said: "Scottish Gas told me it had made a mistake and would have to take another reading.
"The bill was for nine showers which we use once a week, maybe for two hours after games.
'Kind of funny'
"Eventually, I got an invoice to tell me that Scottish Gas owed me money.
"We're just beside Hay Lodge Hospital and were wondering if we were paying for the NHS too.
"But even then, I don't think the NHS would pay �46,000 for three months use."
Mr Bony joked that the club had paid its bill for the next five years. He advised the public to check bank statements to make sure direct debits had not crept up as they "can be kind of funny".
Scottish Gas spokesman Simon Bennett said it was in the process of refunding the club.
"We apologised for the mistake back in November and we look forward to getting the issue resolved within the next couple of days," Mr Bennett said.
He said that Mr Bony had been "affable" during their discussions and Scottish Gas was keen to continue to provide a service to the club.
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We're just beside Hay Lodge Hospital and were wondering if we were paying for the NHS too 