Was conned???

[Wingtsang]

Hi all

A few days ago, I posted a problem on these boards...

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39567

Since that post, I have proceeded to book an engineer to come and fix the boiler to sort out my problem. I had one booked this morning and thought that would be the end of my boiler problems.

How wrong was I

When they turned up today ("two" engineers turned up when I was expecting one) they poked around the boiler, feeling the pipes, bled the radiators (dunno why they did that since the problem was with the hot water and not the CH...) poked around the boiler a bit more and after a hour of messing around, said basically the boiler has had it and that I would need to get the whole thing replaced! I asked how much would that cost and they said about £1600.

To say I was a bit shocked is putting it lightly. They said that the whole boiler is very very old and it is past its time. They gave me something about the diverter valve gone and the pressure control (or something like that) is gone too. They advised that instead of stripping the whole thing down and fixing it, it would be cheaper to get the whole thing replaced.

The professionalism of these 2 "engineers" are suspect to say the least. They didnt fit into the image of boiler engineers (turns up without proper tools, no proper outfit, no ID... etc etc) so I suspect that they are trying to con me.

They later on gave me a bill for they work that they carried out and it came to £145 which was funny cause they were charging me the services of "2" engineers but I only needed one. They also charged me a call out charge of £80 when their advert in the yellow pages said they don't charge for call out. When queried about this, they said that it was the holiday season and they charge call out at this time of year.

To top it off, not only have they haven't fixed the boiler, it has also started leaking from a valve at the bottom of the boiler and the pressure is gradually building up when the CH is on.

Basically, I argued with them with all these points and after several minutes of shouting, they accepted £80 cash only, no cheque.

So, are they right? Is the boiler inrepairable? Do they sound dodgy?

Any help on the boiler problem much much appreciated!!!


P.S. Anyone know of any trustworthy boiler repairers in the Oxford Area? To say that my confidence in them has gone down a bit is putting it lightly!

 

[Nige F]

Were they CORGI registered ..if so (in the ad.) Report the tossers to CORGI for a start

 

[Electon11]

Need to know the name and the make of the boiler, mate. To make any comment. Always check for Corgi Credentials when having Gas Work done.

 

[Wingtsang]

Need to know the name and the make of the boiler, mate. To make any comment. Always check for Corgi Credentials when having Gas Work done.

Check the link I posted in my message

But anyway, its a Worcester 35CDi II

 

[ollski]

Yes they sound proper ropey, I wouldn't have paid them a penny if the fault is unfixed, not even a callout. Just remind me is it the one with a black plastic flowswitch with a yellow collar?

 

[Agile]

Can you tell me where you called these two from?

All I can say is that you seem to have been unfortunate enough to have encountered total rogues.

Is there any reason why he should not name the company concerned?

Tony

 

[oilman]

I would name them too. They should be reported to trading standards. Anybody who sends two people round to mess about and then charge for not fixing the problem is dishonest. If I can't fix something I don't charge, unless it was an exercise to carry out an inspection. The callout charge is there to cover people's time if they are booked on a job and the customer changes their mind when you get there, it is not an additional charge holiday period or not, AND, you should have received an invoice, if not report them to the Customs and Excise for VAT fraud, the VAT love visiting people like that.

I dont charge VAT but I am exceptional.

 

[oilman]

Doh!!! look at the OP date surely you can find some recent topics?

 

[Softus]

Doh!!! look at the OP date surely you can find some recent topics?

Thanks for pointing it out, albeit it in a non-forgiving manner.