Paid 4K over 11 years to British Gas for homecare. Fuming!!!!

[Theresahairbrushinthefridge]

So, had 2 new boilers over 11 years as first condemned when we moved in and then converted loft 5 years ago.

Never called them out. Serviced regularly.

Boiler broke down yesterday. It's going to take them 5 days to get here and then what's the betting they won't have the right parts.

I asked if I could speak to an engineer or someone who could advise me of basic fix. No. That's not possible.

Phoned Worcester. Who had a brilliant online trouble shooting tool. And talked me calmly and helpfully through possible fixes. For free.

Local plumber did the same. Could come tomorrow.

What exactly have I been paying for?

AIBU to demand a refund as I have been mis sold the policy.

If it gives a service level in the policy that they haven't met e.g. 48 hours then you should complain.
I had the Homecare when I lived by myself years ago as I didn't want the aggravation of finding plumbers, getting quotes etc whilst working full time.

Apparently they are very busy with emergencies due to the bad weather. Or at least that's what they told me this week when my booked months ago service was cancelled

I had been given the same speech when I booked the service and they couldn't give me a nearer date.

Here's a hint BG...you are always busy in the winter, employ more staff!!

We dropped BG for the home care plan and went with Corgi home plan, it's cheaper and they are fast to get here. They fixed out boiler twice last year and do and annual service.
Polite, proffesional and come out asap. so far

We've had our money's worth out of their Homeserve. We get an annual service and they will come out within 48 hours. They always ask if there's someone ill or disabled in the house and will prioritise us.

We've had the same boiler for 20 years

To be fair, pretty much everything to do with British Gas is well known as being a total con. Almost anyone else is cheaper and better service. They just trade on their name and people seem to keep trusting them.

y always ask if there's someone ill or disabled in the house and will prioritise us

But unfortunately the downside of that is that if you don't have anyone ill, disabled, old or young in the house you will not get to the front of the queue for weeks in winter.

I totally understand priotising people who need it most, but it's hard to be patient when you have had 2 weeks of no heating in the coldest winter for years like we did when our boiler broke a few years ago.

I took the solemn oath years ago to have nothing to do with British Gas. They once sold me a service plan for a system that it turned out they didn't support (I had asked beforehand and described it clearly enough and the sales person assured me they did, but when I called to arrange a service the truth came out). I got a refund quick smart, of course, but was seriously unimpressed.

We have dropped them them this year as the premium went up again for the 7th year running despite us having never called them out.

You are far better off finding someone local and paying the callout fee which is often less than 2 months premiums!

British Gas are absolute wankers.
Moved into a property- gave them a meter reading. Two years later and they’re saying I am using 1500 per year in a one bed flat. On gas alone. They wanted 3,000 for gas and electric. Threatening behaviour over the phone, threatening bailiffs (I had nothing of value, but it made me very ill)
They ended up getting their money- from my disability money. Then months later agreed I’d been overcharged and said I was due back close to 2000- took them MONTHS to repay though, and sent a cheque so it cost me to deposit it as I was almost agoraphobic so needed a cab there and back and made me ill for weeks doing the trip.
Utter wankers. Wouldn’t touch them with a shitty 50foot stick.

They are a total con. I never realised how bad until I compared their yearly ‘service’ (5-10 mins on a few checks then trying to sell you a new boiler and powerflush- neither were needed) with a local heating engineer (1.5 hours taking part and cleaning the entire thing). My heating system was dangerous which BG failed to ever notice. They recommended expensive fixes that would only have made the problem worse. I ended up getting compensation when I left them. Get someone local and pay callout fees, much more cost effective in longer term.

Had a similar experience with British Gas years ago and wouldn't touch them with a bargepole now. We use a local boiler and heating engineer who services every year and comes out very quickly if there's a problem.

Same with washing machine - used to pay £10 a month for a Hotpoint service thing - found a local engineer who charged £20 for a call out, if he couldn't fix it he was honest but usually fixed it for around £20. He was also invaluable when it came to advise for buying a new machine ie never buy one with oveer 1400rpm spin as it wears out more quickly and doesn't get the clothes any drier!

Reading this has prompted me to book my service and then after that I'm cancelling my bf homecare agreement.

Im not sure why anyone bothers with these boiler insurance type policies....I have always called out a local tradesman who has done the job quickly and at a fair price...
I accept ive been lucky though as in 20 years of having my own place my boilers have never conked out !!!

I know this is an old thread but I am so annoyed with British Gas Homecare. As I do not trust local tradesmen not to shaft a female living on her own (backward location) I have to pay over £26 a month to these people and for what. I report no heating nor hot water Saturday cannot get through to a human being end up booking on the system. It was booked for Thursday morning now they ring and cancel and say Friday afternoon 12 until 6 pm.

They ask if anybody is sick or disabled in the property. I said no but my son is 14 however they take no heed we aren't first property first it is sick and disabled.

I hope they fix it Friday without any further delays. On top of that we have to pay £60 for the privilege once the repair is done.

I don't trust any of these schemes but on balance British Gas seemed the best.

I think they should get more staff as somebody mentioned earlier.

@Ellendegeneres. I had that. My electric company owed me £1000 in overpayment. Took them nearly a tear to pay it back. I rang up so often. I got £100 back to say sorry

Yet when I was a week late paying a £27 bill. I got 17. Yes 17 letters!!!!!

Well it is now fixed. I got a new pump for the boiler. I had to wait in from midday however they did not show until 1620.

To wait nearly a week isn't acceptable but at least I am warmer than ever now. I think having a new pump must really help. The water is more hot than before also.

If I knew a reliable gasman I would still cancel the policy though. It is really for people who do not know gasmen. If you ask me.