manu's fixed price repair

[dancinplumba]

why do we tell OP's to do this ? fair enough if they carnt afford anything else, but otherwise we are giving the enemy work imo

 

[REDSAW]

i do, normally if it looks like its going to be a can o worms or cost a fortune.
allways give them replacement price though!!.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I do if it looks like it's going to cost more to repair. You lose one job but get an awful lot of goodwill in return and you'll be the first choice for any other plumbing/heating works.

 

[dancinplumba]

you could lose servicing and they may end up taking manu's insurance out. i try to keep all opposition out of the picture if i can, unless feel the cust cant afford anything else

 

[dancinplumba]

in this post
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/c...1-losing-pressure-overnight-2.html#post404889
the plumber who priced new one for 1600 could be me, you,any plumber. they have lost a days wages imo

 

[Roger Welton]

I always give customers all the options, if its going to be cheaper for manufacturers to effect repair then I like to think the goodwill gained from being honest is worth it's weight in gold, and I can sleep soundly at night.

In thread mentioned above the boiler can't be that old and IMHO would be worth saving, for you or I to repair wouldn't be cost effective but Vaillant will do it for 200 or so it's a no brainer.

 

[Leo21]

I so it if I can't be arsed. Divertor on Instant, or cdi divertor for instance.

 

[Millsy 82]

If you tell the customer it will cost £X amount but if you get the manufacturer out it will be a fixed price and cost you less who do you think they will call next time? The person who said yes I can fix it but this is the cheaper option or the manufacturer who will say it will cost you this much no matter the problem. Most people will go for the honest person.

I wouldnt ever recommend a manufacturer on here though as that is passing money on to them. Have it looked at first.

 

[peteheat]

If you tell the customer it will cost £X amount but if you get the manufacturer out it will be a fixed price and cost you less who do you think they will call next time? The person who said yes I can fix it but this is the cheaper option or the manufacturer who will say it will cost you this much no matter the problem. Most people will go for the honest person.

I wouldnt ever recommend a manufacturer on here though as that is passing money on to them. Have it looked at first.

I know for a fact that this very rarely works and one of my experiences is very recent and personal.

Son in law rings me the gas boiler has broken down, I know there are a lot of gas safe techs in Belfast so advised him to buy local plus it would cost more in diesel for me to drive there and I would not be legal when I cross the border.

He calls a local RGI who tells him most likely the board but Worcester Bosch have a one price £250.00 repair.

All goes well he needs a new PCB and practically all components are changed during the trouble shooting.

I asked if he kept the first Gent's number for future services etc

"No, but I might be able to find him again."

That Gents is the loyalty you can expect from today's consumer for doing the "Right Thing"

Most of you are supposed to be in business, Act Like Businessmen.

I pass on leads all the time, however I expect leads in return or I will offer the job as a main contractor to another contractor as a sub contractor.

 

[TBServices]

If I genuinely thought I would have to throw a heap of parts at a boiler to repair, I would offer a replacement (often the best advice not taken) or recommend a fixed price repair.

Recently told a customer I couldn't guarantee boiler would be 100% after a pump replacement so recommended a replacement (baxi 105 instant (had a funny feeling it was a junker)) and lo and behold, replaced pump and diverter was passing. Baxi would have prob repaired both faults for fixed price, so felt a bit bad afterwards. Thankfully they can live without diverter repair until they have a new boiler fitted in new location.

 

[peteheat]

If I genuinely thought I would have to throw a heap of parts at a boiler to repair, I would offer a replacement (often the best advice not taken) or recommend a fixed price repair.

Recently told a customer I couldn't guarantee boiler would be 100% after a pump replacement so recommended a replacement (baxi 105 instant (had a funny feeling it was a junker)) and lo and behold, replaced pump and diverter was passing. Baxi would have prob repaired both faults for fixed price, so felt a bit bad afterwards. Thankfully they can live without diverter repair until they have a new boiler fitted in new location.

I too would offer the replacement especially when it means an upgrade to a condensing boiler, the manufacturers are not helping the RGI's by overpricing the parts to us and worse offering them for sale to anyone with the cash at the same prices regardless of competence.

Loyalty is a two way street unfortunately the manufacturers don't see it that way, we must buy their replacement parts or products while they knife us in the back offering one price for any repair.

Appears they want to squeeze out the small operators which is why I very seldom repair gas boilers, in fact for 2012 I have one gas boiler repair to my credit and that was a freebie.

 

[dancinplumba]

Am actually referring to tellng posters on the forum to get a fixed price repair from manu, could be doing an rgi out of a job