AA Assist central heating repair concerns

illuminate

My mother has been having intermittent problems with her central heating boiler.

First problem is that the company with whom she has a valid warranty are no longer trading.

So she calls a Corgi registered company, AA Assist, after seeing their advert in the Thomson local advertising prompt service with no call out charge.

Fella duly turned up at the time agreed and identified a problem with the VRC (?) valve which he said would need to be replaced. He said he would need to order the part concerned and return with it once it had arrived in, he then asked for a £65 +VAT payment. My mother gave him a cheque for that figure.

He returned as promised 3 days later, but after about 20 minutes said he was unable to complete the job as the boiler had been installed in such a way that there was a pipe preventing proper access to the valve.

He then asked my Mum if she would consider a new boiler !!!!

She wisely said not a chance as it was barely 3 years old.

He then asked for a second payment of £65 + VAT for his second visit. Despite no repair having been done and their advert claiming no call out charge. My Mum queried this and was told that it was standard practice but that he would ring his boss to see what could be done. Obviously he stood his ground and the engineer insisted that the second charge would have to stand.

Feeling under pressure at this point my Mum then gave him a second cheque for the figure asked.

Only after considering just what had gone on during the afternoon did she realise that she was far from happy.

She rang Corgi and explained the facts. They confirmed that the original installer was indeed no longer trading, and suggested that if the circumstances with the install were as described by AA Assist, then she may have a claim from themselves. They promised to send her out the relevant documentation to get this underway, but though showing concern, were unable to help with the circumstances surrounding AA Assist.

Then within an hour she got a call out of the blue from Local Trading Standards, who were VERY interested in the issues she had with AA Assist. They too said they would send out some documentation for my mother to complete, which she is now waiting for.

Now.... I learn about this today and have a look at the invoices from AA Assist. Both state exactly the same, that the VRC valve has been replaced, which it hasn't.

But my Mum has only signed one of the invoices. Also, having spoken with the bank, only 1 of the cheques has been presented.

However, the bank want £10 to stop the cheque (I need to check on that).

So..... Should I just let this go along as at present with Corgi and Trading Standards getting involved ? Or tell my Mum to stop the cheque and take the tenner charge on the chin ?

What is the likelihood of my Mum getting anything back without stopping the cheque ?

~Beanie~

I think standing the £10 fee for stopping the cheque is definately perferable to paying £65+VAT...

I would rather lose £10 than pay the cheque and try and fight to recoup the money.

Sooler

illuminate wrote: »

So..... Should I just let this go along as at present with Corgi and Trading Standards getting involved ? Or tell my Mum to stop the cheque and take the tenner charge on the chin ?

Do both, stop the cheque and get Trading Standards involved

illuminate wrote: »

What is the likelihood of my Mum getting anything back without stopping the cheque ?

Why lose it in the first place, stop the cheque, ASAP - before they present it.