Advice from a plumber needed

[Newdidit]

Having read the do's and dont's of threads I'm hoping this is ok. I need some advice before I argue my case with a company that I have had a boiler service and home emergency plan with.
I have the top plan with this company with a supposed claim limit of £1000 per annum.
My boiler is a Vaillent Eco TEC plus 831 and it was installed in 2008 it has been serviced every year since with this company taking over 2 years ago.
We have recently had a problem with pressure dropping and following a service it was identified that the expansion vessel needs replacing. Ok so the process is the engineer sends his report and this company give authorisation ......now here is my problem.
They have phoned me to say that because the repair is more than 60% of the worth of the boiler it is not an economical repair and they will not authorise it ....but because I have been a loyal customer they will put me in touch with a local Vaillent representative who will do the repair at a cost to me of £350 and at the same time they cancel my account with them.
I am absolutely gob smacked by this but what I really need to know before I ring them back is ...is this repair a viable economical one and is the price they are quoting a bit steep......so any advice greatly appreciated

 

[rpm]

Get that in writing first
And welcome to the forums

 

[Newdidit]

Get what in writing .....what they said to me on the phone about it not being economical to repair etc ?

 

[rpm]

Yep that, always get stuff like this in writing or email then harder for them to say that you misunderstood

 

[Newdidit]

I will ask for that thank you

 

[Best]

And the idea also is they will realise they could have a problem if they put their words into print.
They might even backtrack

 

[rpm]

And the idea also is they will realise they could have a problem if they put their words into print.
They might even backtrack

Exactly, I love to make the buggers think twice

 

[townfanjon]

its a bit daft me guessing the price of the vessel but £350 supplied and fitted sounds a bit steep to me, its a very easy vessel to swap. But a lot depends on the rates where you are.

 

[rpm]

Wonder how they reach 60%
Cost of new boiler - life expectancy of such - age of current boiler - = ?

 

[Best]

Exactly, I love to make the buggers think twice

I knew what your devious mind was up to!

 

[Deleted member 56158]

£350!!@! For a vessel swap! Where do you live Dubai! Jesus, anywhere in the UK should be no more than £200.

 

[rpm]

I knew what your devious mind was up to!

Hahaha
I've been here to long, you sussed me

 

[rpm]

£350!!@! For a vessel swap! Where do you live Dubai! Jesus, anywhere in the UK should be no more than £200.

Or central London

 

[Leo21]

Wonder how they reach 60%
Cost of new boiler - life expectancy of such - age of current boiler - = ?

As above, ask them about there formula for working this out. £350 is steep, plus it's a common fault. It might only need pumping up, twenty minutes work.

 

[Best]

I used to see similar happening with oil boilers on a service/insurance plan.
Once the boiler got fairly old the company then advised their customer to get a new boiler as old one was obsolete.
Largely just bull so the insurance doesn't have the more frequent costs.
They take the big money and pay small money over first few years (they hope) and then walk away.

 

[A1P]

Just let me get this clear,you have the top level of cover with supposedly a maximum of a £1000 per year claim limit.What sort of company can happily take your money until a claim is made then try to wriggle out of it? It is disgraceful.They then have the cheek to try to get you to pay for the repair and punish you by cancelling your account.I would make clear that this is totally unacceptable and that you will fight it all the way.Only when they have met their obligations should the account be closed,by you.They are relying on you needing to get this sorted.If you feel you need to get it repaired make sure they know you will pursue them for the cost.

 

[Riley]

This is why I hate these schemes. Get shot of them and find a small reliable local gsr to give the work to.

 

[rpm]

I used to see similar happening with oil boilers on a service/insurance plan.
Once the boiler got fairly old the company then advised their customer to get a new boiler as old one was obsolete.
Largely just bull so the insurance doesn't have the more frequent costs.
They take the big money and pay small money over first few years (they hope) and then walk away.

Same with dog and vet insurance but they hike the cost sky high

 

[rpm]

How much a month is this costing you

 

[Newdidit]

Yes you have got it correct, I started paying £20 a month this went up to £23 a month when it was automatically renewed. I cannot believe the way they have responded to this repair.....and used the term loyal customer so they will arrange the repair but it will cost me and then they cancel my account so I don't pay anymore DDs the more I think about the worse it sounds. I have already read up on how and when to complain to the retail ombudsman and I will make sure they are aware that I intend to do so I am so angry I'm taking it as far as I can and they are going to do the repair I'm making sure they do......and meant to say not Dubai or London live in Northampton

 

[Leo21]

Good for you, they deserve all they get.

 

[jonnyswamp]

Name and shame

 

[king of pipes]

£200 fix bud , shocking service name and shame em

 

[Leo21]

£200 fix bud , shocking service name and shame em

You rip off merchant, I charge £199.

 

[Newdidit]

Who we name and shaming the plumber or the service plan company ?..... I need three quotes anyway that's what my dad always taught me ....but anyway I'm on a mission to get it done by the service plan anyway will keep you informed thanks everyone for your help and advice much appreciated