Watchdog/rogue traders

[gaffer]

Anybody see it tonight,caught out father and son sparkys.British electric they called themselves,Matt Albright had already caught them out in 2003! and they pretty much fell for it again muppets.

 

[acat]

Yes saw that thought it quite funny neary had fists flying


Chris

 

[gaffer]

They soon backed down,had to laugh at the son when he said"got to earn a crust".

 

[Jonesy83]

missed it is it repeated?

 

[pmac10]

what side was it on??

 

[gaffer]

It was on BBC1,try the iplayer.

 

[fwx]

I thought Watchdog were on thin ice personally. Yes they overcharged, but the 'customer' agreed to go ahead with the quote - most people these days would obtain a few before proceding.
Also a lot of the report was just semantics about whether boards without RCDs were unsafe or not. Clearly installations to older editions of 7671 are not instantly unsafe when new regs come out, but I I don't think it's unfair to describe a17th ed board as safer. I also thought the seatbelt analogy was quite good as a laymans explanation of RCDs, and changing regulations and attitudes to safety.
Bearing in mind that the 17th ed requires some sort of RCD protrection to the majority of new work, I thought this program really hurt our trade, and could make the job of improving the safety in peoples homes much harder, all to irritate a couple of rip off merchants.

 

[bramboy]

I thought Watchdog were on thin ice personally. Yes they overcharged, but the 'customer' agreed to go ahead with the quote - most people these days would obtain a few before proceding.
Also a lot of the report was just semantics about whether boards without RCDs were unsafe or not. Clearly installations to older editions of 7671 are not instantly unsafe when new regs come out, but I I don't think it's unfair to describe a17th ed board as safer. I also thought the seatbelt analogy was quite good as a laymans explanation of RCDs, and changing regulations and attitudes to safety.
Bearing in mind that the 17th ed requires some sort of RCD protrection to the majority of new work, I thought this program really hurt our trade, and could make the job of improving the safety in peoples homes much harder, all to irritate a couple of rip off merchants.

Agree with the above. The experts line was lots of houses in the uk have boards in the same condition so thats ok then..First board looked like no rcd protection. £350 must be a fair price for a change over, unless we dont test anything or upgrade main protective bonding do it for 150

 

[fwx]

yup £350 is about right with a full test; 80% of the time you have to trace out an open ring, or do a bit of earthing upgrade so I always allow for this in the quote. If it turns out to be a a straight in-and-out i'll knock a bit off at the end and everyone's happy.

 

[rocker]

I've gotta agree here, these guys were a right couple of clowns, and rip-off merchants to boot, and the elder one did over step the mark a bit describing the board as 'unsafe' but to be honest it wasn't exactly what I would call a 'pressure sell', the customer agreed to the (massive) price and they seemed to be putting in what they said they would. Now, I don't think people should be telling old ladies things aren't safe when they're fine, but to be honest in this day and age if someone doesn't get at least a couple of prices they want their head read.

The main concern, I felt, with this one was that the fella didn't even bother checking the fault that he was caled out for! That could have caused serious problems and I think the programme could have concentrated on that rather than the pair's excessive pricing - it's not illegal or dangerous to charge a lot of money if the amount has been agreed!

Now I bet we're going to have months of 'Oh I don't need an RCD, you're a rip off merchant, the TV told me'.

 

[mogga]

that was my point Penny now normal joe bloggs will say "the guy on watch dog says......."

Just a wee sidethought Have the BBC investigated the VFM we the viewer are getting from watchdog specialy slagging off a the training vidios made by a council . No mention of which department they were made for and as "Normal people" we should know how to wash our hands ,use a mobile phone and read a map BUT my wife works with adults with learning difficulties and our thoughts were her work could use these especialy the hands one as could simmilar employers orginisations Morrisons have How to wash your hands posters up all over the place and it still amazes me how many guys have a pis n just walk out the loo after IMO I pay for the BBC and I object to the ludicrus wages Anne and her Cronies are on Im going to Email them n sugest they look inwardly next week

 

[Notsosmart]

I watched part of it and got bored, I don't remember any mention of Part P (was it?) As usual the 'expert' seems to have disconnected the live cores and not the neutrals behind the socket (yeh that's safe Mr expert)

Ok I know these muppets are far in the opposite direction but what did Matt (not)Allbright expect anyway "oh that's alright Mrs miggins, no charge; just a cup of tea and I'll be on my way" (tug of forelock).

I'm with you Mogga we should get in contact with Old girl Robinson and inform watch(old)dog of the harm they are doing with sensationalist reporting ~ one email coming up I think.

 

[rocker]

Mogga, I'm not Pennywise!

(Our avatars may be similar, but without mine, his would not exist.....)

 

[Echo]

I have to agree, i think it did our trade more harm than good. All this coverages us sparkies are getting at the moment as rogue tradesmen can't be helping our image.

As somebodies already said, how hard is it going to be now to explain to a customer (who watched last nights episode of watchdog) that they need their db changing. I think i'll also join the email bandwagon!

 

[gaffer]

Now I bet we're going to have months of 'Oh I don't need an RCD, you're a rip off merchant, the TV told me'
I know its hard sometimes ,but its best to walk away from customers who say that.I know someone else will pick that job up,but my reputation that I worked hard to build up comes first.And the customer is NOT always right.