Message for SUSIEJB

[joe-90]

I occasionally refer customers to BG, but only if the repair iinvolves very expensive parts which BG cover in their fixed price scheme(s). Usually they're much more expensive than me or any local guy though.
Recently BG have changed their policies and charges though, maybe they got wise to engineers like me taking advantage of them.

I think that is thoroughly decent of you Chris to advise the customer to use BG if they are more competitive than you. It further backs up what I was saying yesterday about you professional being honest.

Well done to you.

What he really means is it was beyond his capability to fix it.

 

[LooPrEvil]

What he really means is it was beyond his capability to fix it.

He seems to get thanked on many occasions so I am sure he knows his stuff.

 

[Gasman77]

You really are a pointless tw at. Really, what are you for?

 

[knowallaboutgas]

He seems to get thanked on many occasions so I am sure he knows his stuff.

He is extremely knowledgable , so much so you would think his posts came right out of a book.

 

[ChrisR]

What I mean is if eg the main heat exchanger in an Ideal Isar is split, and it has happened more than once. I only changed the first one.
I do ask for £50 from the customer, and so far nobody has objected to that, as it's saving them perhaps a few hundred. In a proportion of those I've later changed the boiler or done other work, and kept the customer happy.
ALso, the manufacturer's own fixed price repair may be the best.
Be careful though, some will only cover one part. If the thing has poured water all overt the fan and electrics, lots may need to be replaced, which you can't predict when you start. So yes, they can be orrible jobs to take on.

Other complications can be a committment to an annual insurance, which is always BG's aim!

 

[knowallaboutgas]

Susie re British Gas: The price I gave you yesterday was for a one off fix - it was a cost £185 and you did not have to tie into a 12 month maintenance agreement. The alternative, which is the one I took out cost £99 to fix the boiler, and you had to tie into the 12 month maintenance agreement at £20 / month - this is the option I took. And they did a great job.

The local boys quoted over £400 for a one off fix (but that would not have covered a 2nd part that was found to be faulty, whereas BGs £99 all in, covered ALL parts, - so your father in laws bill may have been reasonable based on the local boys quotes (I beleive the parts cost in the region of £200 for my fix).

Apologies for the error I made - I actually got even better value than I told you!

HELLO AGILE.

 

[transam]

He seems to get thanked on many occasions so I am sure he knows his stuff.

He is extremely knowledgable , so much so you would think his posts came right out of a book.

Hello jo !!! (??) Hows your albanian freind ?

 

[yourmoneyoryourwife]

shouldn't it be suzie BJ !

 

[Jordon]

To the OP you say it's a bargain but you have still payed £339 for your fix and nothing will go wrong in a year if it does it will only be small. So not a massive bargain, also read the terms of your contract, I have three old bg customers that paid like you and now there boiler need to be replaced as they changed parts and never stoped the fault causing it. Examples plate to plate soiled after two years, get a fixed price fix £339 coin for two years total spend £579 little parts and service =£100 block on exchanger again due to dirty system, sorry sir needs power flush and new parts be cheaper for a new boiler or extra charge to replace faulty part as it's due to sludge and that's not covered! Not saying don't use bg just be careful remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

 

[LooPrEvil]

To the OP you say it's a bargain but you have still payed £339 for your fix and nothing will go wrong in a year if it does it will only be small. So not a massive bargain, also read the terms of your contract, I have three old bg customers that paid like you and now there boiler need to be replaced as they changed parts and never stoped the fault causing it. Examples plate to plate soiled after two years, get a fixed price fix £339 coin for two years total spend £579 little parts and service =£100 block on exchanger again due to dirty system, sorry sir needs power flush and new parts be cheaper for a new boiler or extra charge to replace faulty part as it's due to sludge and that's not covered! Not saying don't use bg just be careful remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

I had £200 worth of parts, a boiler service and 12 months maintenance agreement for £99 upfront, and £20 / month for 12 months. My boiler i s not on the obsolete, or some parts obsolete lists so yes that is extemely good value, compared to £450 for just a one off fix!!

 

[misterdubya]

I had £200 worth of parts

List them please.

Then list what BG pay for them over an independant RGI

Then explain how they 'serviced' the boiler.

Seeing as your so impressed, will you be continuing with the breakdown contract you have with them when 12 months is up?

BG will have made more profit out of that job than any reputable independant - but your happy. Not as happy as them though.

Mr. W.

 

[expertgasman]

I had £200 worth of parts

List them please.

Then list what BG pay for them over an independant RGI

Then explain how they 'serviced' the boiler.

Seeing as your so impressed, will you be continuing with the breakdown contract you have with them when 12 months is up?

BG will have made more profit out of that job than any reputable independant - but your happy. Not as happy as them though.

It's a bit irrelevant, though Mr. WW. The problem is, he DID get a good deal, compared to a local RGIs best price. We can't blame clients for going down that route, but no other business passes clients on to the competition. I would only do it if I knew the job was going to be a pig or the client troublesome.

 

[misterdubya]

Were they (the local RGI(s) reputable though? That was my question.

I enquired, as I could have given a price - just a like for like. The job has been done so I'm not touting for business. My price may have still been more expensive (I'd be honest) but if I cannot compare how can I agree BG's prices were fair?

Mr. W.

 

[LooPrEvil]

I had £200 worth of parts

List them please.

Then list what BG pay for them over an independent RGI

Then explain how they 'serviced' the boiler.

Seeing as your so impressed, will you be continuing with the breakdown contract you have with them when 12 months is up?

BG will have made more profit out of that job than any reputable independant - but your happy. Not as happy as them though.

Mr. W.

The main part I recall was a diverter valve. I cannot tell what BG or the local boys would pay for them, but I can price them retail which I am sure is the price that any installer would invoice me (not the price they paid - just as happens when I get my car serviced).

I may or may not renew the maintenance agreement out when it runs out, but I know they can do it cheaper - I had to accept what was on offer with the £99 repair offer.

BG will not have made more profit out of me than the local lads - but if they do that does not matter to me - what mattered was I saved about £120 in total and got the extra services.

I cannot tell you what the service comprised off, but if you look at the BG website it will confirm the work that is done.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN THIS INTO AN ARGUMENT - I WAS JUST RESPONDING TO AN EARLIER THREAD WITH MY OWN GENUINE EXPERIENCE. don't forget I did mention that I assume BG hope the maintainance agreement gets re-news each year. I just got good value for money at the time I needed it - right after the New Year. I am sure that on other occasions the independent may offer a better deal - but in this instance they didn't. And I for one was amazed at the deal I got from BG - I expected them to be more expensive.

 

[LooPrEvil]

[iIt's a bit irrelevant, though Mr. WW. The problem is, he DID get a good deal, compared to a local RGIs best price. We can't blame clients for going down that route, but no other business passes clients on to the competition. I would only do it if I knew the job was going to be a pig or the client troublesome.

Spot on - thank you - I would prefer to to deal with an SME but the price differential was just too large, as was the difference in what I got for my money.