In support of BG !

[SimonH2]

Something I didn't expect to be writing, but a colleague at work recently (couple of weeks ago) had a very good experience with them.

Ideal Icos M3080 boiler had a failed PCB. After looking at options, he decided to get BG in on their fixed price repair. I had pre-warned hi to beware of the hard sell - you know, the "sorry mate, it's past it and needs replacing" type of thing.

He reported that the guy came, diagnosed the problem, ordered the parts, and came backa few days later. Oh yes, I'll mention that he's not yet living in the property as he's being 'doing it up' and making it into a right bachelor pad.
So new PCB fitted, new control knob, couple of brackets fitted to (vertical) flue. Pointed out that the condensate pipe should be lagged (it's in the garage), and the lagging that needs tidying on the water pipes. But no hint of a sell.

Mind you, from what my mate said, he was an independent, been in the job 30+ years, and a 'nice bloke'.

 

[petit_pablo]

Theres more like him at BG than people on this forum like to let on.

 

[SimonH2]

I'm sure there are, just like I'm sure there are in most organisations - and probably frustrated at management attempts to grind them down to a uniform, low, level.

 

[Phill Peck]

So what do u do at British gas then?

Also most independants would have fixed it there and then by turning up with the part or going to get one locally.

 

[45yearsagasman]

Didn't take you long to surface gs1985.

 

[Phill Peck]

Didn't take you long to surface gs1985.

Well I will surface if my bg radar goes off.

The post just seems a bit strange

 

[SimonH2]

So what do u do at British gas then?

I have nothing to do with them, and people who notice what I post will a) recognise that I'm not even in that industry, and b) I'm generally not shy of criticising them.

BTW - the system in question is a BG install done for the previous owners. About what you'd expect for a system done against the clock by people who have no expectation of ever being called back to it. Insulation on pipework in the garage thrown on in such a manner that it's now hanging off, condensate drain out onto the gravel where it'll be percolating down to attack the foundations, wired wrong, and for good measure the drain point didn't work (soldered with valve element in situ ).

Also most independants would have fixed it there and then by turning up with the part or going to get one locally.

Really ?
You'd turn up to an unknown fault with all the spares you might need ? And for perhaps half a dozen different boilers in a day ?
As as for getting the part same day locally, fat chance of that round here - especially considering it's a boiler that's not been sold for some time.

 

[nickso]

Also most independants would have fixed it there and then by turning up with the part or going to get one locally.

Really ?
You'd turn up to an unknown fault with all the spares you might need ? And for perhaps half a dozen different boilers in a day ?
As as for getting the part same day locally, fat chance of that round here - especially considering it's a boiler that's not been sold for some time.

Yeah, if I had all the parts to fix every boiler on my 6-10 repairs a day I would be driving an artic.....with my trainee following in a support artic.

 

[SimonH2]

I have service contracts with a local outfit for both my properties - BG advertise some very nice prices, but when you read the small print and have rented properties you find their contracts are considerably more.

I've had occasions when the local outfit have taken several days to get parts (18 year old Vokera). Having observed BG working on my parents boiler, while some of what I've seen leaves much to be desired, they do have an incredibly efficient parts supply system.

 

[Phill Peck]

Yes not for all but for this boiler I'm pretty sure I could turn up with what I needed and if not I could get it straight away. Why is that so surprising?

If u have no connection to bg why come and post about some guy u know who had a good experience with them? Bit strange in my opinion but each to their own

 

[Phill Peck]

Also "a boiler that's not been sold for a while" but breaks down alot. Are the parts that merchants have in stock.
I guarantee I could get any major part for that boiler same day within half an hour of my house

 

[SimonH2]

If u have no connection to bg why come and post about some guy u know who had a good experience with them? Bit strange in my opinion but each to their own

It's called balance - perhaps you've heard of it ? For most outfits, getting good service is the norm so it's not newsworthy. But given how much I've slagged off BG in the past (deservedly so IMO*), I felt it newsworthy to get (or see my mate getting) a good deal without the "scare a granny" style hard sell.

* Latest case in point. My parents have same boiler, installed by BG about 10 years ago. The last breakdown, on Christmas eve a year and a half ago (when you might remember that it was "rather chilly"), was directly as a result of their failure to do previous repairs and servicing properly. Luckily it had (temporarily) recovered after being off overnight and we have other means of heating the house and hot water so weren't left freezing and without hot water.

Wether you believe me or not, that's your choice and frankly I don't care.