Yet another spark robbing customers!

[D Skelton]

Just got back from a customer who has asked me to quote for rectifying some issues brought to light during a recent inspection. The customer came to me because the previous spark had let him down and failed to turn up when supposed to on four different occasions.

Turns out this NIC 'approved' contractor had given the customer a PIR instead of EICR and made up a bunch of pony recommendations and codes in order to get more work. I'm slightly confused as to why he didn't follow through with his robbery as it seems it would have been easy money but essentially, the customer now knows he may as well have been given a blank piece of paper and I have now been tasked with providing yet another report for the customer, at more expense. At least this time it will be worth something!

Here's an example of some of the codes given:

- No RCD protection - Code 2? (not needed as install is pre 16th)
- No circuit charts - Code 2?
- Non working light - Code 1???????
- Old DB needs removing - Code 1? (Bearing in mind it was dead and not connected to anything)
- Three cracked sockets - Code 1 (made up)
- Exposed wires in light fitting - Code 1 (made up)

And after all of this, there was not a cross or a LIM in sight on the schedule of inspections?!?!? Surely if there are exposed live wires, the requirements for basic protection haven't been met at least?

Shame as this customer can't exchange his lease with the new buyer without the report which is being requested by the freeholder before he is prepared to sign the relevant paperwork.

I'm just ranting now because I hate robbing ba****ds and it just goes to show, yet again, that being an NIC 'approved' contractor, or for that matter an approved contractor with any of the other scam schemes isn't worth the paper it's written on!

I've got the details of the contractor. Name, address and phone number and have been given free reign to do as I please with those details as soon as I'm finished with the customer. Oh am I hoping to have some fun!!!

 

[Dave 85]

The fact is if you got 10 sparks to do an EICR on the same property, I doubt any two of them would have identical findings.
Does this mean nine of them should be locked up?
Apparently so.....

 

[growler]

seen worst. get over it mate !

 

[D Skelton]

take the work, and as much as i agree with you, 'confronting' the person who's done it could turn against you. just reading your post made me think that if anyone 'confronted' me in that way i'd put their lights out!

I've already started drafting a short letter that I'll be hand delivering to him. The fact is, he's working outside the scope of the regs and robbing people blind. He only lives two blocks down from me so if he wants to 'put my lights out' for that, he's more than welcome to try!

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I'm not sure about all this NIC bashing that goes on.....On our annual inspection the guy is always pretty thorough.......If a contractor is sub-standard they will get found out and dealt with sooner rather than later.

 

[Guest55]

I've already started drafting a short letter that I'll be hand delivering to him. The fact is, he's working outside the scope of the regs and robbing people blind. He only lives two blocks down from me so if he wants to 'put my lights out' for that, he's more than welcome to try!

And what authority do you have to be telling other contractors whats what ?
You need to step back from this.

 

[D Skelton]

The fact is if you got 10 sparks to do an EICR on the same property, I doubt any two of them would have identical findings.
Does this mean nine of them should be locked up?
Apparently so.....

If nine of them are handing out PIRs in 2012 then yes IMHO

 

[Guest55]

If nine of them are handing out PIRs in 2012 then yes IMHO

Yet the NIC were still selling old pir certs after the EICR started and still telling their members to use them until march ?
Your fight should be with your scheme to get them kicked out

 

[D Skelton]

And what authority do you have to be telling other contractors whats what ?
You need to step back from this.

I never tell other electrical contractors what's what. I've got no trouble whatsoever in confronting thieves however. This guy has charged the customer £150 for what may as well be a blank piece of paper. I don't believe for a minute that what I do is unreasonable. Giving someone a piece of your mind whether it's verbally or by writing isn't illegal and it sure as hell isn't immoral given the situation.

 

[Guest55]

I never tell other electrical contractors what's what. I've got no trouble whatsoever in confronting thieves however. This guy has charged the customer £150 for what may as well be a blank piece of paper. I don't believe for a minute that what I do is unreasonable. Giving someone a piece of your mind whether it's verbally or by writing isn't illegal and it sure as hell isn't immoral given the situation.

Your intentions are honourable but its the customer who needs to instigate action , by telling trading standards for example.
Ever thought that this contractor can make a compliant to the NIC against you ?
I wont say any more but good luck.

 

[D Skelton]

Yet the NIC were still selling old pir certs after the EICR started and still telling their members to use them until march ?
Your fight should be with your scheme to get them kicked out

I've given up trying with the scam schemes, they don't care one jot! As long as they have their money, they're happy, and there's nothing any of us can do or say about it.

I'm totally with you, however the only people now with any power is us, if we don't take a stand, no one will.

I don't like the situation, but I've never been so angry with the state of our country and the way in which it's run. The politicians and people in big business (NIC and Elecsa included) stand there and pour out their golden fountains whilst the rest of us are just expected to lie their and catch it our mouths. I've had enough of drinking their bodily fluids to be honest and I for one am going to seize every opportunity presented to me to do something about stopping it!

 

[trev]

Like biff said your intentions are honourable but please be careful for your own sake. If things are said and/or done when you hand deliver this letter the police could be all over you like a bad rash mate

 

[Dave 85]

I keep a blunderbuss above my front door to deal with all the angry sparkys who turn up telling me how to do my job.

 

[Tonkatoy27]

LABC or NICEIC will not want to know. I recently contacted both over a NIC registered sparky changing a con unit and only filling out an EIC for his new shower circuit. Blanks missing from board, numerous errors on form. (max demand listed 100amp, main switch listed as 60898
2 pole...)
LABC asked me what exactly I wante them to do as the guy was registered with NICEIC so must be competant, NIC replied with an email to say they can't do anything with my say so, they need the 80 year old granny customer to complain to him direct then give him a chance to return and do it properly. If he wouldn't they MAY step in but can't even guarantee a site visit.
I had may ELECSA assessment yesterday, the scam man is very interested and now has a copy of his certs, dunno what he's going to do with them but he said h had clout with ECA and the part p review board.

 

[D Skelton]

Your intentions are honourable but its the customer who needs to instigate action , by telling trading standards for example.
Ever thought that this contractor can make a compliant to the NIC against you ?
I wont say any more but good luck.

Fair point and thank you. I did give the customer the details of our local TS bloke as I've had dealings with him before and found him very willing. The customer seemed interested in pursuing him but whether he does or not is up to him you're right.

 

[D Skelton]

I keep a blunderbuss above my front door to deal with all the angry sparkys who turn up telling me how to do my job.

Hahahahahaha! I'll be sure to don my steel armour when I pop round! If I'm to be met by a conquistador, I'll have my armourer equip me as one too!