British Gas Homecare 200

whitesatin

We took this service contract out in May of this year. We opted for this level, which I believe is pretty comprehensive because we wanted the best cover we could get. This morning we have no hot water due to a boiler fault. Their welcoming letter states that in 8 out of 10 cases same day call outs are guaranteed if you have no heating or hot water so we thought today or tomorrow at the latest we would have hot water again. Wrong. "Due to high volume of call outs" the earliest they can do is Tuesday either am or pm, no more specific than that. As I teach for a living, it is difficult to get time off work and my husband is under a lot of pressure due to various factors too and will find it hard to get time off. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we thought about how we could manage Tuesday and rang them back, complaining about how inconvenient it is as I am home all day Mondays. The lady sympathised and offered us (for next time) an extra service where they will come out the same day or in the evening for an extra £3 per month.

I am totally furious - you think you are getting the best they offer and pay through the nose for it only to find out that you are not getting that at all. If they had offered the extra £3 per month thing at the time then I would have smelled a rat in that I would have realised I was not gettng a premium service at all. But of course they don't tell you that.

Sorry to go on but I am really, really angry and won't be renewing my service contract with them. When I had one with them 20 years ago, they came out 365 days a year, at your convenience. I know it is winter time but surely it has always been the case that they have more calls in winter. I expect they have cut their staff down to the point where they can't deliver what they promise.

Cardew

Other than agree with you, there is not much anyone can say!!!

I was with BG for many years(and always had excellent service) however their charges have increased at a huge rate in recent years and 'pressure' was applied to fit a new boiler as 'parts are hard to obtain'(they are not!) so I left - it was just poor value.

Mind you it seems that no other service is any better.

RoyBrock7898

Cardew wrote: »

Other than agree with you, there is not much anyone can say!!!

I was with BG for many years(and always had excellent service) however their charges have increased at a huge rate in recent years and 'pressure' was applied to fit a new boiler as 'parts are hard to obtain'(they are not!) so I left - it was just poor value.

Mind you it seems that no other service is any better.

You can say huge rate again. Just got my notice to day and it has gone up 25% and that includes a £10 no call discount. They must be taking the pith as do don't have any radiators and the only controls are the thermostats on the hot water and the house.

MartinG_2

Have phoned BG today complaining about the cost of my contract particularly as new customers get it for £17 per month and I was being charged £22. I was put through to a manager who offered me a reduction which reduced it to under £20 when I talked about self-insure etc. In general we have received good service in the past so I said yes.
If you are a new customer try this. I had a mailshot from Standard Life giving a 15% discount (so £14.45 for Homecare 200) until 31 Dec. Phone 0845 607 1748 quoting "Disc Two".
Good luck!

mike_the_bike_2

.... Well you will be needing a new boiler then!

whitesatin

mike_the_bike wrote: »

.... Well you will be needing a new boiler then!

Not sure if you were speaking to me, but, if so, not quite sure why I would need a new boiler when the one I have is three years old. My last one lasted 20 years.