Mid 70's no help

agrinnall

marliepanda wrote: »

Clearly this one did, so they should have gone with one of the big six...

What, like BG, who have done just that, as I said earlier? People have reported exactly the same issue, they are unable to get through to speak to anyone so cannot advise that they are a priority.

marliepanda

agrinnall wrote: »

What, like BG, who have done just that, as I said earlier? People have reported exactly the same issue, they are unable to get through to speak to anyone so cannot advise that they are a priority.

I’m not the one who said the big 6 would have them as priority. What if everyone who calls has priority? What if all the engineers are currently out on priority cases?

OP may have been a priority under BG rules for their age, however they were clearly capable of safely solving the problem on their own.

agrinnall

marliepanda wrote: »

I’m not the one who said the big 6 would have them as priority. What if everyone who calls has priority? What if all the engineers are currently out on priority cases?

OP may have been a priority under BG rules for their age, however they were clearly capable of safely solving the problem on their own.

But you said the big 6 won't close their lines, when that is exactly what BG have done. Whether a caller is a priority or not is irrelevant if it's impossible to get through.

Personally I'd suggest that maintenance plans are a waste of money and it's better to have a cash (or credit) reserve and find someone locally if there's a problem.

LilElvis

British Gas didn't prioritise my 80+ MIL when her boiler failed. Started playing up late November, totally failed early December and they finally put the new boiler in at the end of January. Only a couple of years ago and when there were several episodes of snow. Just to put the icing on the cake she was savvy enough to get several quotes for the boiler replacement and opted for BG, though they were more expensive, as she (foolishly) believed they would give better service. Installation finally comes, after BG had cocked it up several times, only to find that the installer was a subcontractor ....... who was one of the companies who had quoted less than BG.

marliepanda

agrinnall wrote: »

But you said the big 6 won't close their lines, when that is exactly what BG have done. Whether a caller is a priority or not is irrelevant if it's impossible to get through.

Personally I'd suggest that maintenance plans are a waste of money and it's better to have a cash (or credit) reserve and find someone locally if there's a problem.

I only said that because someone else said they would and... you know what it doesn’t matter!

Your second paragraph is spot on.

kingfisherblue

For people who are truly vulnerable, there is a priority services register at the larger firms (and possibly the smaller firms too, I'm not sure). My son is disabled and has breathing difficulties, made worse when the air is cold. Although we have emergency heating, we are on the register because of his disabilities. However, in weather such as this, I would hope that priorities are seen within twenty four hours, rather than the usual four hours. I'm aware that we are not the only people affected by the cold. (Luckily we have not had to call anyone out, although we did need emeregency heating when the National Grid decided to change all of the pipes in our area, over a three week period a couple of years ago. It was February).

agrinnall

kingfisherblue wrote: »

For people who are truly vulnerable, there is a priority services register at the larger firms (and possibly the smaller firms too, I'm not sure).

Does this come with a separate number to call that is guaranteed to be answered? Because the problem that was being experienced yesterday was that call centres were closed and the ones that were open couldn't handle all the calls, so people were unable to advise that they were a priority case.

John-K_3

You do not say why you are supposed to be vulnerable, what is it that puts you in that category?

I assume the reference to age was not supposed to be it; my dad is the same age as you and kicked my backside when we raced up Mont Ventoux last year, so age does not qualify you.

Ames

For future reference, it's sensible for vulnerable people to register with their supplier.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register-people-need

walwyn1978

peachyprice wrote: »

It's probably the condensate pipe Marlie, if the condensate in it freezes the boiler cuts out.

This.

Ours stopped working today with a fault code that said 'internal error'. Rang my plumber who suggested pouring boiling water on the condense pipe outside then pressing reset. Job done.