Help-Link Boilers.

PaulJM

Having had half an eye open for a new boiler for a while, I noticed with a bit of interest the Help-link advert with Jonny Ball.
It advertises a new Bosch boiler, for £17 a month, with servicing, etc.
Now, I've done no more looking into it than that, and I wondered if anyone else had any experience with them.
I've got a SIME boiler, which is about 4 years old, and is a complete load of old rubbish.
It regularly goes wrong, so I have the only extended warranty that I have in my life - whatever you think of them, it's paid me back well on this heap of rubbish, in many ways. Anyway, my comment isn't about that.
So British Gas wanted £3500 to just replace the boiler for a Bosch one - but they are total rip off merchants. But still, I think to myself, that would be £17 for 17 years, without interest, and after 5 years I'd probably want a service contract at todays rate, that's £20

There must be a catch to these Help-Link people - what is it? Anyone any ideas?

bruce2110

hi.

I can't offer any direct advise on the help - link scheme, im sure some will pick up that at some point, however, if your looking for a new boiler, some manf' now offer 5 yr warranties for parts and some times labour(goes without saying check the small print though!!)

Maybe you should get some ideas from local plumbers merchants on the deals in your area, then get at least three quotes, however, don't mention about the BG quote, as 'some' installers will just knock a grand off and hay presto there's your quote!

Just check though that the installer is an approved contractor for the boiler being looked at, as some manf' will only offer the extended warranties to there approved fitters!;)

HTH

ic

http://www.help-link.co.uk/about/latest-offers.php?a=uk

Pay attention to the asterisk (no that isn't a bit of dirt on you screen under the dancing boiler and the enormous "£17 per month")...

Cash price £1789. Deposit £474. 120 monthly payments of £17. Total amount payable £2514. Representative APR 9.9%.

Note firstly there is no information here about what the boiler is, so I'm going to assume they're probably comparing to the smallest model available like a Worcester Junior 24i which will only really be suitable for flats and small houses.

My granddad at Christmas got a local approved heating engineer to fit him a Worcester 25Si for £1800 (a low to mid range model). This came with a seven year manufacturers warranty. So to compare with the deal above where the total payable is £2514... £2514 - £1800 = £714, spread over 36 months that becomes £19.83 to put towards a plan, if he so wanted, prior to that he's covered by the seven year warranty, so can worry about the cover later when the time comes.

Also consider - are they including annual servicing? The manufacturers warranty will require an annual service in order to remain valid, I see no mention of servicing on their site. Will they still be going in ten years time? Whether they are or not, you'll still be required to repay the loan.

bruce2110

Hi ic, I followed the link, I must admit that is pretty small 'small print'!!

blackshirtuk

Also no mention of installation in the ad. so I would assume that would be extra, as every installation is different.