Would you buy a boiler online ?

WLM21

Going to buy a new boiler so have started looking around for the best deal.

Would readers here be happy to buy online, from a supplier say, for example at the other end of the country, or would it be better to buy locally.

if the cost difference is £50 or below, it would seem sensible to get it locally, but anything more, makes me think the online deal would be the better bet.

The plumber is a friend of ours, so has no problem in us getting the boiler directly.

thank you for any advice given

tonyh66

BHL are cheapish, if that helps.......I ordered a load of radiators from them and had no problem. I live near inverness which is literally the other end of the country to them.

macman

Your RGI should be able to get it at a trade price which will be better than you can get online, because he will often get a bung, sorry, 'incentive' from the manufacturer.

ariba10

We bought a boiler online from a firm 200 miles away and it was delivered from a well known outlet 12 miles away from where live.

We saved quite a reasonable sum of money.

Owain_Moneysaver

The plumber supplies the boiler. Then there's no argument whether it's a defective boiler or defective fitting if there's a problem later.

alanobrien

Have done on several occasions, saved a lot on local prices, will do again as necessary if the potential saving is worth the effort.

Hintza

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

The plumber supplies the boiler. Then there's no argument whether it's a defective boiler or defective fitting if there's a problem later.

My thoughts but this is made more difficult as the plumber is a friend. Which 99% of the time will be fine it is that other 1% that OP needs to think about.

southcoastrgi

by plumber I guess you mean RGI ?

he supplies the boiler he will normally guarantee it for 12 months if something goes wrong & sort out any probs even if that means getting the manu out (which is why he puts a profit margin on top).

you supply the boiler, any probs are down to you & if you want him to sort it out then quite rightly he will (or should) charge you.

eg he removes the old boiler, fits the new one (you supplied), it's faulty, how long are you going to be without heating/hot water until your supplier can get a replacement to you, until you have regd the boiler with the manu they may not be interested in coming out to fix it so it will be down to the supplier

diywhynot

macman wrote: »

Your RGI should be able to get it at a trade price which will be better than you can get online, because he will often get a bung, sorry, 'incentive' from the manufacturer.

We purchase our boilers from PTS or the local independent and don't receive a 'bung' or 'incentive' from the manufacturers.

FYI... one online seller is very competitive and the goods are delivered by a large plumbing merchant chain;)

rustyboy21

It is quite normal for RGI#s to be signed up to certain Boiler Manufacturers, They will only fit , say Baxi, worcester, remeha boilers etc.

If you buy off T'internet and then try and get an RGI to fit it ( Which you have to, if you want any chance of having a warranty cover) you will have next to no chance of getting one to fit it. Whilst they may not get a 'Bung' in some cases, They will most likely be on a loyalty scheme/ An Rgi I know, has had quite a nice holiday from his bonus points.

What I am trying to get over, is that if you want piece of mind and some cover for your purchase, then go to an RGI, not buy off the internet. You will get most likely extra warranty free, some RGI's are covered under special schemes that , say the boiler breaks down, the Manu will be out within 24 hours. If you bought seperately you may have to wait 7 days for the callout. There are lots of factors to take into accont.

It may be cheaper on the 'net' but what if things go wrong? Look at the manufacturers sites and they will normally give you authorised RGI's for their boilers.

diywhynot

rustyboy21 wrote: »

It is quite normal for RGI#s to be signed up to certain Boiler Manufacturers, They will only fit , say Baxi, worcester, remeha boilers etc.

One trick pony limits the choices for the consumer. One manufacturer doesn't always have the best/value for money solution for every install.

If you buy off T'internet and then try and get an RGI to fit it ( Which you have to, if you want any chance of having a warranty cover) you will have next to no chance of getting one to fit it.

If someone wants to buy their own boiler we will install but only products with which we have experience and rate the technical/warranty support , parts availability/cost and good reliability. A manufacturer's warranty is valid regardless of source of the supply.

Whilst they may not get a 'Bung' in some cases, They will most likely be on a loyalty scheme/ An Rgi I know, has had quite a nice holiday from his bonus points.

If you only install, never repair or service, it is easy for a busy heating business to rack up some points. Potential freebies don't influence our product choices.

It may be cheaper on the 'net' but what if things go wrong? Look at the manufacturers sites and they will normally give you authorised RGI's for their boilers.

No such thing as an 'authorized RGI'.
Installers can be listed on a manufacturer's website after completing a few product courses and manufacturers don't provide any guarantee for the standard of work etc and will have a disclaimer to that effect.

If a RGI doesn't put a hugh markup on materials then a customer shouldn't feel the need to find an alternative: very easy to price check boilers etc on the internet.