Possible Rip off problem

[LondonKaren]

Hello

I hope someone can please help me, I have a problem with my Ferroli boiler and I called a company out to look at it. I had no hot water or central heating for 1 week and for the past few years it has played up but always sorted itself out. I paid the £70 call out charge and was told it would cost £250 to put in new sensors. I paid for this.

The guy was with me for 10 mins on the call out and said it needs new sensors. He has fitted it yesterday and the problem is still there. The boiler turns on and off at its will. I was called today and told that it most probably needs a PCB ignition board (?) I am unable to pay for more repairs and I feel I was ripped off because if he had told me exactly what was wrong I could have looked at a payment plan and purchased a new boiler. He said that until you fix the sensors you will not be able to know the fault. Is this true??

Sorry for the length of the post I am new.🙁

 

[newbie1]

thay are ripping you off
any fool can replace parts and hope to get lucky he should have been able to ascertain the fault or at least narrow it down to where the fault was
certain companies eg plumbnation will offer a finance plan to purchase the boiler
what sensors have cost 250.00??
i would not entertain them doing anymore work
worst case scenario would be to replace boiler on a one for one basis i would look at 500.00 plus boiler incl a flush

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

i would throw it back to the company who looked at it

I could employ monkeys who can swap parts over its knowing why and what to swap being the talent

You may have to bring out your strongly worded letter writing handed if the company wont help you

 

[LondonKaren]

Thanks Newbie and Tom. I have just been told that the parts cost £60 and 2 were fitted, the fitting charge was £95. I dont know what to do because the boiler still does not work🙁. Who do I write to regarding this? Thanks. They said that I should pay for another part.

 

[WHPES]

If in doubt, demand an itemised invoice. If they are going to have to specify individual parts and labour rates they are less likely to try and rip you off.

When calling a new company you can always ask what the labour rates are before you book a job.

How long did it take the technician to do the job?.

 

[LondonKaren]

Thanks for your reply WHPES. He was there for 15 mins and the problem still remains. I feel I am simply stuck. I really dont mind paying for a service. I just do not like to be lied to and told this part will fix it and in fact it does not, more parts are required. If I was told this at the beginning then it would not be too bad.

I have asked for an itemised bill, the company are slow at getting invoices out. I am also upset because I paid £100 for a boiler service from the same company a few months back.🙁

 

[newbie1]

name and shame company as tbh boiler service should have been about 75.00 max..for aboiler thats burning within limits on the analyzer i think between 50-75 is fair

londonkaren allways post where you are located(general area)not address as some of the more reputable people on here may be able to help

 

[Kip]

Blimey, id be able to retire at 40 if i was charging those prices. Thats extortianate and very dissapointing to be let down by a professional.

 

[payney1974]

Thanks Newbie and Tom. I have just been told that the parts cost £60 and 2 were fitted, the fitting charge was £95. I dont know what to do because the boiler still does not work🙁. Who do I write to regarding this? Thanks. They said that I should pay for another part.

I bought 2 sensors for a ferroli the other day £ 17 + vat for the 2.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

you have been well and truly conned,this ferroli though unreliable is not difficult to fix faults on,if its knocking off after a few mins could be sensors,gas pressures, ventures or the detection electrode has bent down and shorting on the burner,these faults are easy to verify by a competent engineer

 

[moony]

rub it in why dont ya.

too many monkeys walking in with a bunch of parts - no multi meter and throwing the parts at a broken boiler hoping to fix it. That problem could be a scaled up heat exchanger, so is that the next part after the pcb ? get someone to look at the boiler who knows what theyre doing.

 

[Puddle]

We all agree you have been over charged here,its a hard lesson to learn and am sorry this has happened to you,its a side on the trade that is not needed,maybe you could get past the over charge if at least the boiler was working and repaired correctly,these people are not engineers but chancers
You are going to have to cut your losses and move on to a operation that can repair your boiler correctly,as of you continue with this lot ,god knows were it will end and how much you will be asked to pay
If you paid by credit card,get in touch with card company as you did not receive service paid for ,namely boiler repaired,the repair company will say unforeseen but hopefully you will be one of many complaining to credit card company about this firm and they may take action,report to trading standards also as they keep a file on local rough traders and act were possible