So much for REAL

[Markc]

So wheres all the monies going for us to be with an office of fair trading scheme such as real? It certainly ins't for enforcement!

Survey today to a existing customer of ours who has had two PV companies in to provide a price. Needless to say he got theses as a price comparison to our price which I have no issues with. Not knowing the prices he has got to date I gave him a ball park figure while on site. This isn't something I would do for a potential client how I have not worked for before. My price was competitive so he said and so with that he puled out the two earlier quotes. I was in by only £110. BUT this is the reason for the post. Quotation one states: a return to investment of 18.2% and quote two stated giving an annual design yield of 3430kWh on a 3840kWp system so not using SAP's?

Now I'm not going to be picky but if this isn't miss selling then I don't know what is.

And by the way we will be installing in March!

 

[bugsy]

Any money these guy's were salesmen and not installers, there will be a get out clause or small print someware, make the most of PV installations while you can because when you guy's have established a decent market the big boy's will move in and it will be a bloodbath.

 

[HotSpot]

Hi Mark C

I'm quite new to this forum but have been following the posts regularly and I much appreciate the assistance you give.

I soon hope to have my MCS accreditation and as I have 'expanded' my horizons on the renewables side...MCS....REAL etc, I have become more and more angered by stories of sloppy/dangerous installations, companies that push the limits when it comes to H&S and now a further frustration that there are people out there who blatantly mis-sell.

Sadly, this is the kind of thing that gives the whole industry a terrible name to the detriment of good, decent and honest installers. If only there were a way of stopping the terrible money-grabbing that is going on!!!???

How did you deal with it with your customer, did you explain they were wrong, or just let it lie?

 

[Markc]

Hi Mark C

I'm quite new to this forum but have been following the posts regularly and I much appreciate the assistance you give.

I soon hope to have my MCS accreditation and as I have 'expanded' my horizons on the renewables side...MCS....REAL etc, I have become more and more angered by stories of sloppy/dangerous installations, companies that push the limits when it comes to H&S and now a further frustration that there are people out there who blatantly mis-sell.

Sadly, this is the kind of thing that gives the whole industry a terrible name to the detriment of good, decent and honest installers. If only there were a way of stopping the terrible money-grabbing that is going on!!!???

How did you deal with it with your customer, did you explain they were wrong, or just let it lie?

Fortunately our client respects what we say so we explained the issues. As soon as I have the design and contract drawn he is going to sign. If this was a potential client who we hadn't worked for before then I don't know how we would of stood. Also turns out quote two recommended Yingli poly panels as they apparently have a "unsurpassed efficiency rating?" Do they know something I don't.

If he allows I will copy the quotes and may be might leave them just lying around on 21st Fabruary when a very nice lady from REAL comes to do our audit......Oh no how did they get there? I shouldn't leave things like that lying around!!!!!

 

[futurewired]

Yes, i had the same from a big national double glazing company, salesman tries charging 18000, for 9 panels and said it was a 2kw system dropped it 4000 and the client signed there and then (old couple), with no expected yeild equipment specs, or any information required in clauses by real and mcs.
It took me 3 weeks and 2 demanding letters to get it cancelled!!

 

[HotSpot]

Is there not a phone number you can call to grass these guys up? There should be!!!! We shouldn't have to wait for Which Magazine to do an expose' on all the Double Glazing turned PV salesman. Makes my blood boil!

 

[Markc]

Unfortunately I think this is going to become more and more. The big guys are pushing their luck and when you then add in commission based pay salesmen theres a recipe for con artists to pray. The thing is as a small guy we are seen as being in the wrong. But this happens in all forms of industry. Bet you in the next series of rouge traders there be a PV installer!

 

[gr7]

I agree there should be a method of reporting blatant non-adherence to the REAL code of conduct, I too have seen evidence of this and worry that the industry will be permanently damaged if something is not done soon.

 

[HotSpot]

I suppose time will tell in showing us how many teeth MCS and REAL actually have!

I just pray they don't turn out to be completely toothless!

I feel sorry for the victims of this scandalous practice. And I feel sorry for all the good honest guys who are trying their best to earn a decent living.

 

[edexlab]

I've seen quite a few quotes asking for 50 or 75% deposits I initially thought it had to be somebody on there 1st or 2nd job ,but it was a well established firm ,also a member of Real

 

[MCS Renewables]

Nothing happens even if you complain. REAL and the MCS bodies are just milking the cash cow and all the time sales and installation standards are dropping.
We know of an old lady who was told by a less than ideal salesman that she would generate even more as she had a lamppost outside her house!
We also lost a project to another national using kioto against our Sanyo, and we were £5K cheaper because their salesmen told her independents don't do the job properly!!!
Shame but nobody cares, the nationals can do and say what they like that's why next time my registration comes round I will be transferring to the cheapest Scheme , who ever it is !

 

[futurewired]

yes true mate and its not niceic, they do milk everything

 

[dansk]

Freaking joke, i hate reading stuff like this - why is it the small guy is the villan? they always take the word of a "mate" rather the word of the actual guy who owns the business and then comes to do the installation. Maybe they just think an independant should be cheaper or begrudge paying a large cheque to a 2 man band, god knows.

As for REAL, this is a sham, and i cant wait untill someone brings in another scheme, hint hint, come on someone start a rival consumer code.

Ive been registered for 4 months with REAL and ive already been selected for an audit, why dont the just leave me alone and go pick on some of the guys who really need inspecting.

 

[HotSpot]

Ive been registered for 4 months with REAL and ive already been selected for an audit, why dont the just leave me alone and go pick on some of the guys who really need inspecting.

It's a bit like tax inspections...they will investigate smaller guys because it's easier (and cheaper) to go through their accounts and find faults compared to the big guys!!!

 

[Ramjam]

If REAL are conducting these audits as frequently as they appear to then they will catch the rogues but it depends what they do when they catch them. If they simply issue a non compliance then they might as well just reduce their price and we can all have a REAL sticker on the van and do what we like. If they take serious noncompliance such as deposit over 25% or no SAP calc or no contract with cancellation terms and instruct awarding bodies to remove MCS then they will get respect and the industry will be fine. They need to record directors of companies struck off to stop them re-starting with a new name too.

I bet they go for a toothless non-compliance with a follow up visit in the future anyone care to bet against me?