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Our gas fire stopped working - have you ever tried to find someone to fix a gas fire? It's a bit urgent as it's our only source of warmth - we don't have central heating. Could get hold of anyone locally so in desperation I phoned British Gas and arranged for them to come out on Monday if I agree to pay some exorbitant amount.

But I kept trying and finally found someone who will come out today (for a fairly similar fee which I don't mind paying for a quick service). So I phoned British Gas to cancel them for Monday and guess what? No appointment booked for me on Monday - or any other time!

I don't beleeeeeeeeve it!

Hi all,

Usual thing, sometimes I get some of my clients to ring BG for a fixed price repair! Can be cheaper than what I can parts for... Alas, their call centres are really crap, which then gets the engineers grief when they attend.

Hope you get the fire fixed OK Probably just the thermo-couple gone or pilot might be just chocked up with dust and debris

GregD-UK wrote:Hi all,

Usual thing, sometimes I get some of my clients to ring BG for a fixed price repair! Can be cheaper than what I can parts for... Alas, their call centres are really crap, which then gets the engineers grief when they attend.

Hope you get the fire fixed OK Probably just the thermo-couple gone or pilot might be just chocked up with dust and debris

Why would you get your clients to ring BikerGran?

I wondered exactly the same thing...

Think about it.......

Well the non-BG gas man has just gone and we have warmth!

Cost me a tenner more for same day service AND the part than BrG wanted to charge for making us wait till Monday and just the visit (1st ½ hr) - god knows how much the part would be from them!

Have noted the company name of this one for future reference! - In fact it's the same firm that supplied and fitted my first radiant balanced flue fire many years ago after the bloke in the BrG showroom was rude to me!

They might not have an appointment for you on their records, but it's odds on that someone will turn up.
Another reason for the price rises is the useless call centres they use to save money.

and if they do turn up simply say it mustve been a prank call... nowt wrong with your gas..

Crikey - are there parts of the country that are not basking in glorious weather today?
Glad I can save on the heating bills

It was one of those days that was warmer out of doors than in our living room!

GregD-UK wrote:Probably just the thermo-couple gone or pilot might be just chocked up with dust and debris

Had a similar issue in Melbourne just after christmas, the pilot igniter was clicking away but nothing. Had a quick look and guessed the thermocouple, confirmed that was likely with the gas people who wanted to charge me $250 to come out then parts and hourly charge. I declined their magnanamous offer and got a universal thermocouple for $50 and fitted it in about 20 minutes, all's well again.

I'd have done it myself 10 years ago - sad innit!

BikerGran wrote:I'd have done it myself 10 years ago - sad innit!

There would have been no point - it hadn't gone wrong then.