General Chat

We need our boiler serviced as its not been done for a couple of years. Did a phone around and not many were interested but ended up getting one quote for £55 approx. Was supposed to be here between 3 and 4 today. Have waited in all day in case he came early but still no sign and no courtesy call to say if he will be here or not

just phoned to find out where they are and its an answering machine!!!!!!!!

You never know he could be running a little late with a bit of luck.

I know he could be held up on another job but they could have given us a courtesy call. Have had to put the heating on now as we need the hot water and to warm the house again. So if he does turn up we will have to wait for the boiler to cool down.

almost an hour late and still heard nothing. do they not want my money?????

Thats the trouble, there aren't enough of them so its all by there rules. Terrible,

no word and its an answering machine at their office. So does that mean they have finished for the day or will they still turn up today or will they come tomorrow while I am at work???

Well, I do sympathise, but from the other side - my hubby can be held up on a job and he just cant stop to phone anyone because he would be up to his neck if he did! Does this chap work from home? That may be why an answerphone is on, so hold on for a bit and he may be there soon. Good luck

I do sympathise if they are held up in another job but as it is a firm with more then one employee it is now gone 6.30 and they still have not contacted us. Hubby is going to try to phone another plumber but felling really peee'd of about it. And if we book another plumber we will then have to phone to cancel the first one.

Why do you have to phone to cancel the first one? Hasn't he 'cancelled' himself by not turning up?

thats true Felicity but I dont want to give them the chance to send me a bill.

£55 for a boiler service seems too cheap to me. If you want proper service you have to pay the going rate - more like £80 - £100 round here. Bob

Thanks Bob. this is a well known local firm but I think it is very bad customer service not to get in touch. So now do we have to wait in all day again just incase they turn up?? I am going to work today but hubby will be here. Some of the other plumbers dont do maintenance only installations.

I now realise why my lovely hubby, who retired last friday, is receiving cards with every post and telephone calls by the score, telling him how much they are going to miss him and thanking him for so many years of wonderful service. Chrissie x

One reason why my hubby is finding it difficult to retire - he is still getting recommendations/ old customers ringing from 20 years ago.

Why don,t you get it insured with British gas,They service it every year,come out on breakdowns,and replace parts that fail,all for about £150 to £170. per year. I,ve had them for years and find its a good service. Hal.

Well the latest is my hubby phoned at 9.15 today and again an answering machine so left a message. They finally rang back at 9.45 and said that they got called out on a burst pipe so would we like to re-book. Cant do it until the 18th......... That is well out of order. they should do a bit of overtime and fit us in tonight or push back some other jobs. So he told them we are going away. Found another one that is coming tomorrow for just £45

That seems good value, doesnt it. I have to say Im a bit dubious about British Gas deals. £160 a year? Weve had no probs with our boiler for 10 years - so £1600. Ive always had my doubts about their service - I know a chap we met on hols a couple of years back worked for them and said they actually earnt commission on telling people their boilers/appliances were duff and needed replacing.

I'm with you on that one Heather. Lost count of the times hubby has been called to look at units where they have told them that a bolier can't be repaired or parts not available and hubby has repaired it for a few pounds.

Ours is now 8 year old which is why we decided it was time just for a maintenance check. Hubby has cleaned out all the radiators and put fernox in so we know that part is alright but the actual burners probably need a clean He could do it with a toothbrush probably but with all the regulations etc thought it best just ot treat it to a professional check . So we could have been paying £150 a year for 8 years........