NPower charge £500 for repair of boiler on contract

Fed-up

Around 6 monthe ago, I changed My gas boiler maintenance service contract from British Gas to NPower to save around £4 a month. With hindsite, it, a VERY foolish move...

British Gas had served me well for around 5 years, and had fixed my boiler on 3 occassions. As part of the service, they also did regular inspections to make sure all was well (and safe).

Well, I joined NPower, had the engineer come and do my pre-contract inspection (all was well, and they were happy to take it on), and I felt secure that I was covered, should the boiler break down.

Well, it did.

NPower couldn't come out for 2 days, and when they could come out, they couldn't tell me what time it would be. Consequently, I had to have the day off work. The engineer eventually arrived, and declared that my boiler fault was due to that fact that it 'hadn't been installed correctly, and couldn't work properly as it was', and that I 'would have to 'pay for remedial work.'

I explained that the boiler had been working for over 15 years. I also explained that British Gas were happy to fix it, and that NPower themselves were happy to take it on contract following the inspection.

All this was to no avail. They've told me they want me to pay £500 to 'put the installation right.' If I don't do this, they won't fix it.

I replied, 'As you won't cover my boiler, surely that means the contract is void, and I am free to cancel without further penalties?'

WRONG!!!

If I cancel my contract, they will charge me for the engineer call-out PLUS the monthly charges for the remainder of the 12 month contract.

Unbelievable.

I've got British Gas to come out and fix it for £99 flat fee. From my previous service history with them, they knew exactly what the fault was when I logged the call.

And, no it isn't due to being installed (15 years ago) in such a way it will never work.

If I have the energy, I will go legal on this.

DON'T TOUCH NPOWER GAS BOILER MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS!!! YOU'LL BE VERY SORRY!!!

Barneysmom

Blimey that's terrible service. I would be telling this to Trading Standards or my local paper straight away.

nPower

Hi Fed-up,

I'm sorry to read the about the problems you've had with your boiler care from us - this doesn't sound good at all.

Would you like me to take a look into this for you and see if there's anything I can do?

You can send me your details to [EMAIL="forumresponse@npower.com"]forumresponse@npower.com[/EMAIL]

Best wishes,

Adam

ihateyes

Personally Fedup....

I would lodge a small claims against NPower, for breach of contract.

They came out to do a First Inspection, which is where the look at your boiler (condition) and your system to make sure it is suitable for contract.

Incorrect Installation should be picked up here.

It wasnt, and now they are demanding the work being carried out, and they want you to pay a cancellation charge.

What you should consider is a small claims which can be iniated online for around £40.

Claim for all payments paid to date, claim for the £99 fee you paid to BG for the repair, after all if Npower had refused to cover you from the outset, you probably wouldve went back to BG, and that fee would never have been levied against you.

Fire the small claims to them, and in most cases they will back down.

There is a cost to them empoying a solicitor sending him to your local court, supplying all the paperwork, and they could only do that if they have a water tight case, which in this instance is as water tight as brown paper bag!!:rotfl:

Barneysmom

Has there been any outcome to this?