Consumer Protection Association

[SRE]

Not wanting to spend more time or money I've ignored the CPA options for a while. I still haven't really got much of either (time or money) but I've been asked a couple of times recently about independent guaruntees for our work. It hasn't been a deal breaker but I can see the day it couold become an issue.


Is anyone else using them or someone like them? If so how much does it cost and is it a load of extra work?

 

[SolarCity]

We use IWA. We only recently started offering it because customers have been asking about it more and more. It's not cheap and it's not something that I deal with personally (my partner sorts this kind of thing out)

 

[Worcester]

Does anyone actually independently gaurantee your work?

Most of the schemes only underwrite your warranty, i.e. if you offer a 10 year warrantee, they'll back it by insurance for you still being in existence / trading.

QANW, the people that provide the REAL Assurance scheme are happy for you / us to buy the extended warranty insurance on your customers behalf (up to 5 years), or you can sign up for their Solar Care scheme and offer up to 10 years.

REIGA offer a similar scheme, though they will want personal / directors gaurantees!

Both the above only insure your warranty - you are still liable to fulfill it.

To be able to offer an insurance and walk away from the liability would be very interesting, otherwise you have to account for the accrued liability on outstanding warranties for the outstanding period. (Allows you to post reduced profits ! - Always a good tax ploy ).

i.e if there is a problem 3 years down the road, don't call me, call the insurance company that would be good!

 

[SRE]

You hit the nail on the head - I don't really see the point in paying someone to underwrite what I'll have to cover myself anyway. Might have a look at Solar Care but I don't know if I really want to cover the work for 10 years - seems ott to me.

 

[Salestools]

There is a new scheme that is much better than CPA, or any other scheme for that matter, but harder to get in.

Still, it separates the wheat from the chaff!

Great for increasing margins and 'closing' a lot more deals...justifies premium prices.

see:

www.hiesscheme.org.uk

Nick Ross is the scheme's ambassador

Not wanting to spend more time or money I've ignored the CPA options for a while. I still haven't really got much of either (time or money) but I've been asked a couple of times recently about independent guaruntees for our work. It hasn't been a deal breaker but I can see the day it couold become an issue.


Is anyone else using them or someone like them? If so how much does it cost and is it a load of extra work?

 

[Salestools]

What happens to your warranty if you go bust?

 

[SolarCity]

What makes it better?

 

[Salestools]

Problem is that many installers/contractors are not in business in 5-10 yrs to honour guarantees- many are not around in 2 yrs! The industry will get a bad name if it doesnt protect consumers.

Also, the www.hiesscheme.org.uk helps contractors sell more, convert more and sell at premium margins against its competitors.

What makes it better?

 

[SolarCity]

Is it any better than, say, IWA?

 

[BruceB]

I think I am getting more cynical as I get older as all these schemes strike me as scams to get more money out of us uinstallers and indirectly out of the customers. If the insurance companies are generally seeking directors' guarantees, then perhaps just cut out the middle man and directors back company guarantees directly? Personally I never buy extended warranties and most of the people I have sold to do not buy them either.

 

[Salestools]

Well, these are set up to actually protect consumers and not get out of claims with excluion clause and conditions

eg- even tho the installer pays the insurance the customer must write to IWA/CPA to get the policy, they must write within 30days, the guarantee doesnt cover if the installer did anything wrong on the install!! (ie fitted it wrong)...etc etc...

if the installer doesnt register the customer or pay the insurance fee the customer is left in the lurch

Hies point of sale materials, literature, Nick Ross etc make it far more valuable than CPA or IWA

Is it any better than, say, IWA?

 

[solarsavings]

It's certainly new. And looks like a lead generation site to me. But what do I know

 

[solarsavings]

Two minutes to find results that suggest don't touch it with a barge pole.

 

[SolarCity]

Two minutes to find results that suggest don't touch it with a barge pole.

What did you find?

 

[SolarCity]

Hies point of sale materials, literature, Nick Ross etc make it far more valuable than CPA or IWA

Nick Ross?! What exactly does he bring to the deal?