15months to debt free - I hope

jwil

It's impressive that you are not only clearing the house and making those arrangements but getting on with the listing too.    Shocking from BG though.

foxgloves

@ladyholly - When I was sorting all the paperwork following my Mum's death a few years ago, I found a similar thing with a homecare policy from the company you mention. A letter arrived with the new annual payment - not as much as your B-i-L but still an enormous amount at £580. This was a policy originally taken out to cover gas CH servicing, but over the years, Mum & Dad had allowed various add-ons for stuff like locks, window repairs, etc. And of course at renewal time, the price went up every year. Mum didn't use the internet so the concept of 'price comparison' was completely alien to her. I was really angry to see she'd been paying that amount. I don't have any homecare policies - our gas central heating & stove are serviced every year by a local firm for £150. 
I took great satisfaction in cancelling Mum's expensive policy. She was a worrier so had doubtless responded to the usual 'peace of mind' messaging from this company & allowed her level of cover to spread way beyond what was needed.
It is eye-opening dealing with somebody else's finances.
F

Sunshine_girl2

My parents in their 80's also pay a great deal to BG every month , but I can't convince my dad that they could pay less ! 

ladyholly

Thank you all for your replies about BG. I am disgusted that they are allowed to effectively cheat elderly people in this way. I am not eaxctly a spring chicken and hope I never allow myself to get in this position. I, too will take great delight in cancelling the contract.

Blackcats

Similar experience with that gas company too.  My dad had added on all sorts of extras to his home care policy - just in case.  Most of the add ons were probably already covered by home insurance anyway.   My son in law is a plumber/heating engineer so he is always available to deal with boiler issues and fitted a new boiler earlier this year.  SIL can also turn his hand to most household repairs so my dad will give him a few £ if anything is needed.  BG policy cancelled but I also found a similar so-called home care policy was being paid for with the water company.
I think the v elderly (dad is in his late 90's) worry that things will go wrong and put in place back up plans as they know they can no longer fix things themselves.  The prices they are charged are scandalous.

badmemory

They are also very quick to condemn boilers which any normal heating engineer will just say I'll get the part from my van.  They tried this with my mother over a grommet.  Available everywhere except via BG.

ladyholly

Evening all.

Thank you all for your BCG stories. It is shocking that they play on the fears of the elderly. Homecare is now  cancelled. When I queried the price I was told it depends on the age of the boiler and the number of callouts. Surely thats what you are paying for. The chap on the phone didnt seem too happy I said I didnt want his help except to cancel the account.  Now had an invoice from the alarm company when I was told the next one would be September!! Do departments ever talk to each other so another email of complaint as I have not received the promised dd debit form either. I am being awkward and demanding it by post as they are being difficult.

3 parcels posted this morning and I have had another sale this afternoon. At this rate I will have an empty box. Lots more to go though. A small shop done but I realised I had not got beer for Mr LH which he will want tomorrow night as he stays up for the election results but as I need to go to the PO I can get it then.

A friend called for coffee and has given me the phone number for a man that collect disability aids for injured soldiers in Ukraine so the second wheelchair will be going when he can collect. More space in the conservatory.

A little bit of listing this evening (only 4 items ) so hopefully something else will sell soon.

I actually managed to hover the lounge and conservatory as Bears fur was lying in chunks all over, He moults for a past time.

A slightly funny story as I went to the PO. I was almost at the door when a woman barged past me and almost shoved me out of the way of the door. Unfortunately (for her) she went to the one that was loked while I sailed through the open one. She then dashed round the gondola of groceries to try to beat me to the queue. Now I dont move fast but I got there just ahead of her. She stood behind  me, said is there only one person working, my reply It looks like it - unusual but does occasionally happen. She huffed and rushed off. Almost straight away another staff member appeared as she had been sorting bags and parcels in the back. I gor served pretty quickly and if she had been nicer and less impatient I would have let her go before me but as she wouldnt wait she missed her chance.

Anyway walkies time. Have a good night.

ladyholly

Evening all

Anoth visit to the PO today and have had another couple of sales this evening but I will wait until Saturday to post them so I can do shop for some bits for us to take to Southampton on Monday.

You may or may not remeber I told the alarm company to sned the bills to me rather than me get a letter from the solicitor saying he was ok pay them. Today I got the requested dd form addressed to my bil at his home address. They have my name and address so am very annoyed at the lack of empathy they are showing. A letter will be going with the form. The envelope wasnt even addressed to the representative or exucutor of Mr *****.

Very little done today as I am feeling very washed out but I have ordered some ramps for the car so that if they arrive in time we will be able to bring my sisters mobility scooter home. The back of our car is about 2foot off the ground and there is no way we could lift it innto the car. Hopefully this will make my life easier.

Mr Lh will be having a late night tonight watching the election results so I was very kind to him and got him his beer. He was very pleased.

I have listed about 4 items and not feeling enthusiastic about it. but will have more time tomorrow as I wont need to go out.

Off to have half an hour with my Paul O'Grady book. I brought them all back from bils so will make my way through them and then probably pass them to the charity shop.

Have a good evening.

beanielou

That's really not on.

jwil

You really are making loads of progress.  

It's a shame that some companies have a lack of empathy, and certainly is not a good advert for themselves!

Great that you've managed to find somewhere good for the equipment.