Cheapest Boiler Cover Discussion

G_M

JS477 wrote: »

Is it possible to just get a one off boiler service rather than enter into an annual service contract?

Thanks

Of course.

Markgr

I've found that there are smaller local companies that offer boiler and appliance cover, the upside being that you have a much more personal service. Obviously you need to check carefully whether they cover your area. For anyone living in the North Yorkshire area (where I am) I've used GFP Home Heating for my boiler cover 15% off too at the moment!

yrwyddfa

Good morning friends
I have received a letter offering me cover for all my heating (including a yearly service), all my electrics and plumbing, no call out or parts & labour fees, all for £16.99 a month!
As an incentive they have thrown [sic] in 12 year boiler replacement should the not be able to repair it.
Anyway the question is how good is their customer service and tradesmen though?
Any guidance most welcome

mutley74

yrwyddfa wrote: »

Good morning friends
I have received a letter offering me cover for all my heating (including a yearly service), all my electrics and plumbing, no call out or parts & labour fees, all for £16.99 a month!
As an incentive they have thrown [sic] in 12 year boiler replacement should the not be able to repair it.
Anyway the question is how good is their customer service and tradesmen though?
Any guidance most welcome

just had the same letter, offer sounds good, shame i have cover through BG. But will call BG is they can offer a discount otherwise tempting to change to them at renewal.

SWH

We're thinking of taking out boiler cover after a few problems with our Worcester Bosch boiler and we're worried about spiralling costs. Had letter through from Corgi Homecare which got us thinking.

Looking on the MSE site, I see that some plans will cover problems caused by limescale build up, others won't. Given I know we live in a high lime scale area, we'd probably be better off going with someone who will cover any problems caused by scale build up...for example on the heat exchanger as I know someone who had a problem like this and it cost them quite a bit to repair.

Our boiler was fitted in March 2006 so is relatively new, its had a new PCB fitted under warranty and the gas valve went last Christmas...so hopefully that's it for a while, but you never know.

Hollypear

I went through the process of taking out British Gas's Homeserve 200 policy. They sent out an engineer who checked my system. As my boiler is a Baxi 150 and only 4 yrs old the engineer passed it, However he said due to new H&S regs the flue at the outlet on my rear wall would have to be moved. It is above my back stairs and in the unlikely event hot water could escape through it just as I am going down the stairs to hang out my washiing I could get scalded. His Words!!!

He said in order to get the contract I would have to pay £80 for this. Took the 2nd engineer all of 5 minutes to fit a little plastic thing on which would divert any water to the side.

Imagine my surprise then when I got letter yesterday saying I cannot have to contract as my system does not meet H&S standards. Yet this numptie engineer who fitted it said everything is fine now.

Today I got the bill in for £80. I have told them I am not paying it. At least !!!!!! Turpin wore a mask. So I wouldn't advise anyone to touch British Gas with a bargepole. They are conmen. I wouldn't have agreed to this work if they hadn't said I needed it to get the contract.

They are on holiday until Tuesday so I can't get to speak to anyone who can explain this. They better have some good explanation for this.

I would advise anyone who is advised this that they get it in writing that after the repair they will get the contract as I am being billed for £80 for no benefit to me.

Other than OFT is there a regulatory body I can complain to. I am also contacting Which magazine's legal department as I am a member.

Thanks for reading through this rant but I am furious.

shortchanged_2

If they start getting funny you could contact consumer direct, who are a sidearm of trading standards.
They will give you advice and keep a log of your complaint.

Basically you have been conned into getting some work done that was supposed to achieve a certain outcome (make you system suitable for their service contract) which they then default on.

I would tell them to take a running jump personally but as I said I would contact consumer direct who should give you decent advice on what to do.

jackieglasgow

British Gas are not on holiday until Tuesday and I would guess without looking at your contract or the job reports that it is simply an admin error, if you call them just now, you should be able to get a straight answer.

Cardew

As you sure that the letter wasn't prepared before the £80 work was carried out? i.e. an admin mistake?

It is possible that the first guy 'filed' a report on his hand held device and that triggered the letter you have just received; and with the work carried out all is now in order.

jackieglasgow

I think that's exactly what has happened Cardew, and should be easy enough for the call centre to sort out.