Cheated by Scottish Power - PLATINUM 2014

nmkpidelta

Hi,

Want some suggestion from you.

I have had Potterton Suprimal 50L boiler for 8-9 years. It was running perfectly - was surveyed by Scottish power in March 2012.

3 months ago, water started leaking from the pressure relief valve. I called Scottish power since I have boiler cover under Platinum 2014 plan.

The engineer from their contractor came and replaced parts near the water tank. The drip started again in couple of days - another engineer came and replaced room thermostat - this went on till last month when a competent engineer came along and replaced the rubber valve in the relief valve and the drip finally stopped.

In process the flue plate got rusted due to water dripping. This would not have happened if the first engineer would have sorted the problem.

Now Scottish power have marked the boiler risky and are refusing to service it as well claiming it is uneconomical to repair since parts are not available.

I have checked on the Potterton website flue plate is available as a spare.

They are also denying my claim that the boiler was rusted due to their mistakes and not willing to replace it either.

Further they have told me the boiler cover they offer as part of Platinum 2014 is not under any ombudsman so I cant escalate further.

I feel cheated by Scottish power.


I am thinking of following options.

Boiler
1. Spray paint the rusted plate with anti-rust paint.
2. Get the flue plate replaced - not sure who can do it and what will the cost.
3. Replace the boiler - estimated cost about 1400 incl labour. (conventional Potterton boiler).

Legal recourse
4. Finally considering if it is worth taking legal action against them
5. Wonder if legal cover from my home insurance provider (M&S) will cover it?

Any advice / suggestions welcome - I have never been to court before, so not sure whether it is worth it.

Thanks
N

Scottish_Power

Hi, I am an official ScottishPower company representative, if you can please email me at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] with the address details I will have the team manager responsible for that department investigate? Gerry

andyf3050

The Ombudsman don't actually investigate complaints about boiler care cover. I have had very similar problems with Eon and have now lodged the complaint with the Consumer complaints

Eon made all manner of mistakes but have refused to accept any responsibility for the damage they've caused which has left me out of pocket.

It may be worth seeking advice from CAB but they advised me to follow the consumer complaints route.

HTH?

Andy

Toad

First, sounds like Gerry there is willing to take up your complaint - I'd take that as the first option.

Second, personally I'd steer clear of making alterations to the equipment, including spraying it with anything unless you are qualified to do so. You may find that this makes them even more reluctant to service it and may invalidate any warranty. More importantly, it may affect the performance and safety of the equipment! The last thing you want is CO poisoning from the flue not working as it should!

Personally I wouldn't want to claim on my own insurance for somebody else's oversight or mistake.

nmkpidelta

Gerry, thanks for the offer, I have now sent you the details. I will wait for for you to respond before I take next steps.

@Toad - Thanks for the caution.

@andyf3050 - Thanks - I hope Gerry can get this resolved else it is Consumer Complaints or perhaps legal recourse.

nmkpidelta

Gerry, I haven't had any further response from you or Scottish Power - presumably you were unable to progress my case any further.

nmkpidelta

Well Scottish Power have gone quite - on phone and on this forum. I have sent postal order for £10 to get all the info from their contractor - Home 3 Assistance Ltd. Also calling my solicitor today to check options.

Scottish_Power

Hi nmkpidelata

I can arrange to send you a copy of the response that we issued on 21/09/12, if that would be helpful?

Thanks

David @ ScottishPower

nmkpidelta

David, thanks for the offer - I think have seen the response basically stating that the boiler cover is not regulated by FSA and our decision is final. It doesnt really help me.

I guess then the only option left for me is to check if I have any legal recourse.

Meanwhile it would be great help if you can expedite the data and call transcripts I have requested from your contractor.

Scottish_Power

Home3 will refer your request to ScottishPower and we have 40 days to respond, with requests being dealt with in order of receipt. Rather than go through that process, is there something specific that you are looking for that we could provide straight away?

nmkpidelta

scottishpower company representative, thanks for the help - can you please confirm receipt of the request for data.

I need full data and transcripts - hence any support to get that data sooner would be highly appreciated.