British Gas say I need a new boiler - best deal advice please

daveybuk

I know there are a lot of people here experienced in the gas business, and a lot of darn good hagglers too, so between you perhaps you can help me out:

I have a boiler covered under British Gas Homecare, which has packed up. The engineer was very helpful, and hoped to repair it but the parts are obsolete (he even tried the manufacturer for me). It's a rare situation as the boiler is is in a relatively new build property and only about seven years old. So I'm told I need a new boiler - particularly annoying as I'm hoping to move within the next year. A couple of questions:

Anyone have experience with Homecare? Apparently if the boiler is less than seven years old, they replace it for free. I'm not sure exactly how old this one is - about 7 years I think, but possibly eight. Any likelihood of flexibiilty given that I've paid a fortune for their cover for about ten years with no serious claims. Has anyone been able to persuade them in similar circumstances?

Assuming they expect me to cough up, any good strategies for getting the best possible price or deal (e.g. extras thrown in)?

All advice appreciated.. Thanks.

merlinthehappypig

A friend of my dads has just had a quote from BG for a new boiler. It was close to £4000. On the advice of friends he has now had a couple of other quotes, from CORGI registered engineers. Both of these have come in under £2000 for the same job.

I can't help with the Homecare issues, but watch BG's prices.

randomsam08

what boiler is it? boilers of only 7 years old generally have bundles of parts available


best advice is cancel homecare and find a decent plumber

daveybuk

It's a MAXOL MICROTURBO 402. Every engineer that's looked at it says it's very unusual as it's a bizarre hybrid of the two main types of boiler. It seems as if the company has either gone bust or been bought out by someone else. The parts, according to the manufacturer and British Gas, became obsolete last year - which is pretty lousy obviously considering how new it is.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Contact the manufacturer directly and ask if parts are available... http://www.maxolboilers.co.uk/enquiries.aspx I've checked a boiler spares site my OH uses and spares are still available for your boiler....this isn't the first (or last time) BG has declared parts 'unavailable' when the opposite is the case...did they offer to quote you a 'good deal' on a new boiler? Similar situation happened to a friend of friend in London...my OH sourced the part after BG claimed 'parts no longer available'...BG agreed to fit the part if the part was left unopened on site.

HTH

Canucklehead

daveybuk

Thanks. That potentially could save me a fortune. I've just had my first quote - £3700. It's not a simple boiler to replace as the pipes are apparently smaller than standard, and the flue runs about six metres through a boxed-in section of the lounge ceiling to the exterior of the flats.

The original engineer - who was very helpful - did say that they would fit the parts if I could get hold of them, but BG (HQ and sales people) have said so far that I would be wasting my time to try.

I'll give your suggestion a go.

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: Contact the manufacturer directly and ask if parts are available... http://www.maxolboilers.co.uk/enquiries.aspx I've checked a boiler spares site my OH uses and spares are still available for your boiler....this isn't the first (or last time) BG has declared parts 'unavailable' when the opposite is the case...did they offer to quote you a 'good deal' on a new boiler? Similar situation happened to a friend of friend in London...my OH sourced the part after BG claimed 'parts no longer available'...BG agreed to fit the part if the part was left unopened on site.

HTH

Canucklehead

daveybuk

Canucklehead,

Reading your post again, is it also possible to get the web address of the spares site you mentioned?

Many thanks.

Canucklehead

daveybuk wrote: »

Canucklehead,

Reading your post again, is it also possible to get the web address of the spares site you mentioned?

Many thanks.

Good afternoon: Here you go... http://www.gas-spares.co.uk/

Very helpful over the phone...once did a rush order for my OH (neighbour's Potterton PCB fried in the middle of a cold snap) and posted afterhours on Friday...part arrived Saturday am!

HTH

Canucklehead

daveybuk

Thanks Canucklehead,

Having tried the manufacturers and several spares places via google, I'm getting pessimistic, but got to be worth the effort to save over £3000. I don't even intend to live here more than about another 6 months.. so frustrating...
:mad:

mike_the_bike_2

What spares do you need and please give the precise model number and i''ll have a look on the net for you.

BG have told me spares unavailable for a boiler and I managed to source them

Gorgeous_George

Boilers cost about £1,000 (see here).

BG are rip-off merchants and should be investigated. Many CORGI plumbers are also rip-off merchantys so be careful to select one that you trust or has been recommended by a friend.

Allow a generous two days for the work and even if they need to 2 people (one that you have confirmed is CORGI registered and his monkey). Let's call it £150 for the CORGI and £50 for his mate, that's £400. Quotes around £1,500 would seem reasonable. £2k and, although you'll have been shafted, it is money that BG haven't had to add to their hideous profits.

GG