What is wrong with British Gas?

[casaco]

A friend called me on Wednesday, British Gas had condemned his GlowWorm BBU40 with inset Chatsworth fire stating two immediately dangerous faults. He had an estimate from the engineer of around 4000 pounds for a new boiler. British Gas have maintained this boiler under a service contract from new, the first fault related to the pilot pipe, the screw adjacent to the pipe had worn away the side wall of the pipe as the burner was removed due to the screw head being in contact with the pipe, I have to agree the pipe was badly damaged, but as BG were the only people to work on the boiler they must have caused the damage.
The second fault was due to the O rings missing from the bottom of the flue sensor pipe on to the oxy pilot. Their engineer checked on his computer and stated that the parts were no longer available and condemned the boiler, he also cut and capped the gas pipe.

Now I rang my local supplier who agreed the O rings are no longer available but the tube that screws into the oxy pilot is, which includes the O rings, the 4mm pilot tube is available in lengths, I used one for the Ultimate, total cost of parts 23 pounds, plus 75 pounds to fit and service the boiler properly, BG had charged for a service but didn't clean heat exchanger or lint arrestor. So my question is are BG engineers gas fitters or salesmen?

Has anyone else experienced this scenario?

 

[hammers4spanner]

neither but more a case of a word that sounds like bankers

 

[Ermintrude]

Don't like your question. Please re phrase it.

What is right with British gas?

Only honest answer ........,, the business model!

 

[Masood]

Yes, I've been to many jobs where BG have been "maintaining" the boiler for years and yet it is showing signs of severe neglect. In one case an ID flue had been left uncorrected for about 5 years. The guy got all his monthly premiums back from the start of the contract but BG called it a "goodwill gesture" and refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Yes, I've been to many jobs where BG have been "maintaining" the boiler for years and yet it is showing signs of severe neglect. In one case an ID flue had been left uncorrected for about 5 years. The guy got all his monthly premiums back from the start of the contract but BG called it a "goodwill gesture" and refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

they seem to be a law unto themselves

beyond the regulating body imho

 

[Masood]

they seem to be a law unto themselves

beyond the regulating body imho

Yep. They're big enough to bully GSR and government departments, which makes a mockery of safety regulations. I know they've got some good engineers working there but the times they get given to do jobs is ludicrous, so jobs don't get done properly. Not the engineers' fault IMO, but the bean counters who want to squeeze a dozen or more jobs into a day...

 

[tamz]

I'd agree with H4S.they are neither but there are still a few good engineers work for them. Unfortunately they are few and far between these days and most can't see beyond the kudos.

They did however condemn your boiler for good reason regardless of what or who caused it. They also won't trawl through the internet or anywhere else for parts or use generics. They go on the information available from the manu's.
You could complain and if you are loud enough "might" get a result.
In future self insure (stick your cash in a jar) and get a local business to take care of your boiler.

 

[casaco]

Well tamz thats exactly what my friend has done, he has cancelled his contract with BG and asked me to take care of his boiler from now on. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[tamz]

Well tamz thats exactly what my friend has done, he has cancelled his contract with BG and asked me to take care of his boiler from now on. Thanks to all who replied.

Another victory for the small independent.

We'll never beat them but we can keep chipping away :wink:

 

[RickyJ]

Had a visit from BG to my rented property, the boilers been in about 4 years and they just been to do its service, they've sent me a quote for installing a magnaclean to the system for a bargain orice of £300!

 

[Ermintrude]

I can do £299.98

 

[Reg Man]

Some years ago they serviced? my mother in laws back boiler. I asked her to time how long they were there. 10minutes! I went round and it had not been touched, linted filter and all the rest. So I serviced it and complained. They sent a engineer back who said its spotless, to which mum said my son in law serviced it. The engineer said I hope he is registered. She said Oh yes and by the way his an inspector with CORGI, things went very quiet, and the engineer got put under investigation.

 

[Ermintrude]

What did the investigation reveal? Fitters given too many jobs and hounded to death? Sales men full of bs and company making money hand over fist?

 

[Reg Man]

This was slightly before the sales model came in. But yes the pressure was probably on. 10 minutes for a BBU though still not good. Engineer put under special measures, extra auditing and tool box meeting for all the engineers. To encourage them to be a little more thorough. The auditors and planning came out worst of all.

 

[tamz]

Some years ago they serviced? my mother in laws back boiler. I asked her to time how long they were there. 10minutes! I went round and it had not been touched, linted filter and all the rest. So I serviced it and complained. They sent a engineer back who said its spotless, to which mum said my son in law serviced it. The engineer said I hope he is registered. She said Oh yes and by the way his an inspector with CORGI, things went very quiet, and the engineer got put under investigation.

It must feel good to be able to pull a bit rank over the big boys now and again :smile:

 

[Reg Man]

I don't think about pulling rank, its about doing the job properly and safely and that applies to everyone, big business or small.