British Gas - Licence to print money

A couple of years ago I subscribed to the British Gas Homecare 200 for annual boiler servicing and repairs. Admittedly it was explained that there was a £99.00 excess charge applicable and I accept that this was set out in further detail in British Gas' Terms and Conditions. Admittedly, like many others I failed to give them more than a cursory glance; assuming that the excess charge operated on the basis that the client paid an amount UP TO that of the excess. Thus, if a repair was required and the parts came to £120 then the client pays £99.00. Conversely, if the cost of the parts amounted to £20 then the customer pays £20.

British Gas, however, appear to have turned this into a cash generator.

In September British Gas carried out an annual service on my boiler during which the engineer advise that some insulating pads would require replacement. These apparently cost a total of about £15 but the engineer and, subsequently, British Gas themselves confirmed that I would have to pay the full excess charge of £99.

This means - again confirmed by British Gas - that if a further unrelated fault occurs I am liable for yet a further £99 irrespective of the cost of parts.

I am aware that very few parts of a boiler, except possibly the circuitry, cost anywhere near this amount.

Does anyone understand the logic of this scheme?:mad: