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In recent times we’ve come across a number of online “resources” or portals to get service or advice about appliance faults that are, shall we say, somewhat disingenuous.
They involve things like:
- Fixed price repairs
- “Free” advice on faults
- “Free” apps to help with repairs
- “Local” repairs
And more.
It seems that there is an almost endless supply of people dreaming up ways to part people with their money for not a lot, if anything in return.
When people can get fast, better and cheaper service by simply contacting their local repairers directly. And these will often be WTA members.
Some of these are not out and out scams as such but, people that we have spoken to do seem to se them that way, And we will look at the main ones we see and update this page when we find any new ones.
Fixed Price Repairs
Some large warranty companies do this as well as some smaller players we’ve seem trying to emulate them and, compete for clicks basically.
Here’s the thing however, the idea of fixed price repairs is, in our view, for the birds.
Here’s how it works…
Company offers a “fixed cost repair” service usually for an inflated callout charge as of course it includes any parts.
It can go two ways from here
Option 1: They callout themselves
If they callout themselves you’ll often find that if they “can’t get” the parts needed then the appliance is written off and a minimum charge is levied that you would be told about when booking but, it’s usually at least £50 or more.
You still have a bust appliance and you’re down the callout.
And some are set up to get you to sign up to a service contract, sometimes mistakenly referred to as an insurance policy that will have an ongoing monthly cost.
Option 2: They contract an independent to call out
The firm will not have their own technicians, this is very common for a number that are essentially web-based office services looking to profit from grabbing work online, then farming it out so they “sub-contract” the physical repair work to a local repairer.
In effect, in our view, taking a fee as a middle man and offering little else.
But, there will be “rules” on how much can be spent on the repair and if the repair goes above a certain value then magically the parts will be obsolete, unavailable or whatever.
And you may well get the local repairer that you would have called in any event, only you’re paying the middle-man’s fees on top.
Too Good To Be True
The short of it is this, as the old adage goes, if it’s too good to be true, it is.
You my think that somehow these companies, if they even are that, can offer you a fixed cost repair and the reality is they often don’t do any such thing. If they can repair it within the cost or, within reason in relation to what you paid, they will or at least will try to but, if it’s an expensive repair then you can almost be sure, you won’t get your appliance repaired.
But, you’ll still have had the cost of a callout and, that’s probably more than you’d have paid a local repairer.
Our advice therefore is just to call a reputable local repairer, it’s cheaper, faster and better for everyone.
Free Advice On Faults
This one we’ve seen more of recently with some jumping on the “AI bandwagon” with supposedly personalised help with repairs.
But these sorts of things harm back to a modern version of older models where you’d get “free” advice up and to a point, then you’d have to pay for it.
The internet is awash with repair advice and much of it is well-intentioned but a lot of it is just a hook to get you to sign up for some subscription service, a repair or a service agreement.
You need to be aware of what it is and, as soon as they ask for any money, to sign up to anything or payment details our advice is to treat it with huge suspicion.
A reputable local repairer will offer you advice, bets they can, over email or on the phone and not charge you a penny for that.
Free Repair Apps
We have only just started to see these in the past few years, again some claiming to be amazing with “AI technology” being used.
This amazing technology that they tout however, even the manufacturers do not have or use in the field so, the chances of this being sound we’d say is unlikely.
And when we’ve looked most involve you getting the most basic information that you can find online, for free, yourself being free but anything else you need to pay for either as a one-off payment or a subscription.
Save your money and just research online for yourself, ask in free to use forums and you will likely get better advice and at no cost.
Local Repairs (UK Wide)
There has been a growing little industry in some companies trying to “capture” online enquiries and therefore work and then distribute that work to their “authorised” local repairers.
In a lot of cases all this is is to try to skim a fee for delivering work to the local repairers.
The fact is that most of the local repairers are not web experts and they are not advertising on Google Adwords or such. So there are many who do and then capture those enquiries then pass them back to the local repairers, of course taking a fee in the process.
You are getting a local repair service, sort of, but not through a local repairer and not free of charge.
We’ve seen a number of instances where the local repairer is “forced” in the contract or agreement for doing work for these companies that they are to charge set amounts and cannot discuss what’s charged with you.
The reason is, we think, pretty obvious why that might be.
Yet again, the safest thing and cheapest option for anyone with a faulty appliance is simply to call a reputable local repairer and cut out any middle me looking to take your money for effectively doing nothing.
nothing new apart from the App AI rubbish
people are shocked when i tell them these people exist on the net to capture your search for help and and advise then monetise it and pass the job on
one spell error “we have spoken to do seem to se them that way”
Dave
The other problem I see every now and then is people still think if its a local telephone number then they must be a local firm. Customers often want local firms as they hope it will reduce costs and make it easier if things go wrong, but, as you know a lot of these type of companies pay out for lots of local numbers to make people believe they are local when in fact they are miles away
Dave
Yeah, Lawrence called me earlier as this has kick-started a number of ideas and revitalised a few that has waned off into the distance because.. stuff.. life.. stupid viruses and so forth.
But, I do think that there’s mileage in this, a lot and that it is a win-win-win for all as it’s good for customers as they don’t get ripped off (we’d hope), good for repairers as they get direct business without the middle-man fees and good for the TA as it’s doing all a solid.
I really don’t see a downside in pursuing this line.
K.
Customers unfortunatly dont learn, not sure what it is, times they are told they still fall for it! They think they are getting manufacure then independent shows up. Doesnt help with google search for repairs in your area and all the national ones comes up prentending to be local engineer. Also even with customers who do call you there is no loyalty at all they will phone 2 or 3 companies or engineers and dont care who turns up as long as its done yesterday, its a lottery for us. The way they could tell is your right we give free advice rather than pushy sales, this should be a something we could use on our adverts. how to spot a genuine reliable engineer.
talk at least 2 customers a week out of a visit. can be simple things like try another socket or more serious like it sounds like a jet
Dave
See the thing is Dave, to you, me, Steven, Lawrence and all that’s just second nature.
You can’t see the point in wasting your time, the punter’s money and so on making a call that you know is a waste of time and money to all. But a number these charlatans have no problem with it, they just see punters as potential cash cows.
I’m skipping loads of steps but, that’s why I suspect a number of them operate under various brands on various sites or rebrand as they get burned and have to restart or move on.
If people think they’re getting a good service or one they can trust they will wait for you Steven, like a good plumber, plasterer, joiner or whatever. If they don’t want to wait then get burned, that’s not really your problem but theirs. Least, that’s the way I always looked at it because the ones that are good at what they do and cost effective are rarely sat about with bugger all to do.
K.
its the old story if a tradesman can start tomorrow they cant be much good
but being honest and helpful has paid dividends over the years. It builds trust and gives a good reputation but wont buy a gold plated van but that’s fine
Dave
I have been offered money for my advice many times. On a evening spending time texting or email on how they can check and fix themselves. I always say I dont charge for this (at the moment;)) But there might be when I start to slow down on physical visits. However what I do say is just leave me a review if you have the time, this goes a long way on a genuine review. Think Dave your right its about doing the right thing and be honest and transparent as you can alright doesnt make you a rich man but at least I can sleep at night. Yes I save customers on average few jobs a week. (thats could have been £150 extra earnt wk Wow just done sums:eek: thats a mortgage payment) 😀 If I do visit and its been something stupid Im in the area I simply walk away, most run after you say i have to give you something chuck a £10/20. Ive been to some where they have been conned by online help or even someone gone out charged callout upfront never returned that charge they then have to pay me on top.
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