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Re: British Gas Homecare
I wonder if there is a gas council part number for Rose Coloured Spectacles?
My first reaction to Funkyboogie was “What planet is this guy on”? The figures he has quoted just doesn’t make sense. The terms and conditions are totally different to what I perceive as reality. Then I read his posting again and then I wonder about the inconsistencies in his statement. Let alone the poor diction.
For example:-
“I am a very happy and contented scottish gas engineer and i reguarly take home 2k per month for basicaly a 9 – 5 mon –fri” …..
Then in the same line:-
“if your in a good tight area and you dont have much traveling yer quids in, their are guys who earn more than me but they do work for it>> and then their are guys who are in rural areas who get very pi–ed off because they are traveling 200mile+ for 4 jobs and cant earn bonuss”…….
Unless he is in Edinburgh or Glasgow, how come being in Scotland he doesn’t fall into the rural area category himself?
The pay:-
“british gas pays the highest basic wage for white goods engineers in scotland any ways// £19,900”…..
Not far out, but read on………
I like this bit:-
“bonus = £16 per job after u have completed 90 jobs for the month…”
That is less than 25 calls per week. They get issued minimum of 10 calls per day, therefore if the office and support have their act together; a good engineer will hit top bonus in 2 weeks. Is that paid per job over the 90, or all jobs once the target has been exceeded? A good 1st time fix rate would be needed, and that is down the efficiency of the call logging and pre-diagnosis staff. Any good engineer would be passing calls back as not viable to make a needless visit as there is obviously a part needed. With money like that it is well in the interest of the engineer to ensure the whole set-up is efficient.
And what about this one?
“… vans are well stocked and parts center has about 90{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} stock levels on u name it> also over night delivery.”
In that case why does my office receive on a regular basis questions from B.G. customers asking us if a certain part is available? The customer thinks they are phoning E/Lux or Zanussi, we quickly ascertain the part is available, and soon advise them if it a van stock item. Then we get told that B.Gas say that Zanussi are out of stock. Our computer has a link to distriparts stock levels, and we know at the touch of a button the status of any parts. Very often we are talking about fast moving parts.
This bit makes me wonder? The following statement is management speak, and why shout it in capitals.?“ESD MADE ABOUT 60 MIL FOR CENTRICA LAST YEAR..”
Come on Mr Funkyboogie, there must be something to moan at as there is no such thing as an engineer who is 100{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} contented. If the bonus was as good as you say, and above all achievable, I may as well close down my business and take a job at B.Gas. Not only the money, but I would get holidays and be able to have a full weekend instead of sitting at my computer the best part of a Sunday doing accounts and being an unpaid tax collector.
What about the new system where the engineer only gets issued one call at a time. You don’t know where you are from one call to the next. You are passing the same area several times a day, and youv’e no idea when you are going to finish as until they tell you what call is the last call. You are totally unaware of your day, and how it will pad out. One other point, are you happy having a tracker in your van? You even have to justify a small detour to get a MacDonalds. Gig Brother.
I have some contacts with B.Gas engineers who are thinking of moving to Scotland now.
A somewhat sceptical… Alex
Re: new networks and existing.
Dave_Conway wrote:If that’s the case someone is feeding the info back to them, as far as I know, no-one from ServicePower has access to the trade forums.
Dave.I was talking to someone on Thursday afternoon who is an old buddy of David Brock, and this person is a member of UKW. He doesn’t come on here often, but was on for a long time Friday a.m. Ken knows who I mean.
This guy thought Mr. Brock was the bees knees. Nowt so queer as folk!
Alex
Re: new networks and existing.
Are the parent company in the States aware of the history with J.T. and his dirty dealings?
Can I assume they have found something on the net? or is it an idea to perhaps point them in the right direction?
Alex
Re: Franchise Field Service Engineer?
From one Alex to another.
Reading your post, looks like you may be under the illusion you will be able to manage your time a little better if you are your own boss. Then paradoxically you are keen to become a franchised agent. As anyone will concur, the 2 things do not go together. If you contract to do any work for any organisation, you are expected to provide a service, little trips to unwind or whatever is not part of the deal. Nor is sickness.
If you decide to make a go of it and not rely on supply of work by being an agent, yes you can pick & choose; but as soon as you take a day out, you lose income and potential new customers; which in the early days you will need.
There is the “chicken & egg” scenario to be considered as well. Work providers tend to look at those who have a proven track record, and where possible are agents for existing companies. This tends to get in the way of anyone starting out. If you can become what is termed a second tier agent, being the one they fall back on when the 1st tier cannot oblige you may have a start. However you would be used or abused unless the 1st tier agent falls by the wayside.
I was lucky, as after Electricity Board, I worked for a couple of Zanussi agents, when my last employer decided to cease in my area, I was approached by Zanussi and it went from there. Being a sevice agent with the Zanussi credentials, then doors opened for me in no time at all.
Once I started employing staff, then I could take it easy on the workload front, but it was 12 years before I took a holiday that was longer than 2 days. Some might say I’ve made up for it since, and there was no such thing as illness.
I must add though, nothing ventured, nothing gained. It isn’t all sweetness and light, and if you are really resolved to do this, then it is down to you to make it work.
Alex (The original one)
gegsy wrote:who are trubshaw etc
Greg
Where have you been??
Go into the rumour mill and read all about NESN. Suggest you pick a quiet evening when you have loads of time. It is literally War & Peace, and I don’t mean by volume alone. Bit historical now, but at the time hysterical.
Enjoy.
Alex
Re: Service Power?
Have you got a Lear Jet Martin? This lot is in Kentucky.
I’d get K.W. to fit in the odd call whilst he is across the pond.
Alex
Re: Where’s kwatt
kwatt wrote:
Oh and Alex, we’re off to see Elton at Caesar’s on Sunday night as well. Well, I had to really, we’re here! 😀
It’s a hard life! :rotfl:
K.Can’t say I’m jealous about old Reggie Dwight. o.k. in the 70’s but past his sell by date now. I put him into the same category as Phil Collins, boring bald headed twat.
B.T.W. I hope you are not smoking in public, they will go mad at you if you do.
Alex
Re: Servis UK Problem
Dales-Electronic wrote: We have no authority to scrap the customers machine but can only report back our suggestions. As a final thought, the failure rate currently with Servis machines, is no greater than that of similarly priced appliances.
As we say to customers who are demanding an exchange rather than a service call. “We are contracted as the repair agent to in fact repair the product, If you are telling us you are refusing the repair, there is little point in us calling”.
We then throw it open to the customer to either accept our visit to facilitate the repair, or go to their retailer if they insist on an exchange. If they are not having it, then back to where they bought it. Simple as that.
Regards failure rate on Servis machines, I agree totally with Ian Dales posting, you get what you pay for, and when you look into the price range of this particular product, they fall into this category. On the whole comparing like for like it isn’t too bad a product.
Alex
Re: Sexist text i received, (don’t show to females)
Bloke from South Wales bought a brand new Porsche. He took off down the road, pushed it up to 120 mph, and was enjoying the wind blowing through his (thinning) hair.
“This is great,” he thought and accelerated to an even higher speed.
Then, he looked in his rear-view mirror, and there was a Police Car. Problem – thought Keith, and he floored it some more, and flew down the road at over 150 mph to escape being stopped.
He then thought, “What the hell am I doing? I’m too old for this kind of thing” and pulled over to the side of the road, and waited for the Police car to catch up with him.
The Policeman pulled in behind the Porsche and walked up on the driver’s side. “Sir, my Shift ends in five minutes and today is Friday the 13th. If you can give me a good reason why you were speeding that I’ve never heard before, I’ll let you go.”
The man looked back at the Policeman and said, “Last week my wife ran off with a Policeman, and I thought you were bringing her back.”
The Policeman said, “Have a nice day.”
Re: Dave “Teddy Bear” Conway
It could have been Pooh Bear, especially after a few pasties.
There is a scurrilous rumour (which got to me via Italy) I’m on this with a veiled reference to golf, not seen it myself, too busy to look.
Alex
Re: LG Appliances/CDSL
Spoke to Dave Parker earlier on today on another subject & I brought this up.
He reminded me there is the facility of adding “Bearing-kit” and it is indeed easier to replace bearings & seals rather than fanny about with all the changes needed regards tub configurations and spacers/pulleys for direct drive etc. (My words, not his, all I’ve done is translate from West Midlands)
Dave is actually working on a new updated bearing list re LG, it seems he is putting more into this than LG themselves. (Why doesn’t that surprise me)? Just compare it to a Tricity Bendix where the plastic tub has to come out through the top, or a Beko tub change maybe, It ain’t that bad.+
Alex
Re: LG Appliances/CDSL
We are.
We have been doing LG on & off for over 5 years. I suppose we get our share of bearing failures, but apart from the tub split in the centre type, I thought they weren’t that bad.
I suspect they are no worse than the others, but I will keep an eye on them.
Alex
Re: Beko
It is common knowledge that Service Force agents are carrying out Beko work, in fact new rates have just been applied. Some agents with busy workloads maybe happier without the work. Beko are a growing company and we have suffered the transition by getting used to the product, so the general feeling is we may as well stay with them. In fact a substantial majority of the agents made it clear they wanted to continue this work.
There seems to be a good working relationship between the two even utilising an EDI link to transmit claims. I am aware though there are others out there who are on the repairers list, BG Dar & Expert for example, so they don’t keep all their eggs in one basket.
To compliment the agreement Beko have improved their support on technical matters and are more than happy to address any issues that may be appropriate.
Alex
Re: “New” Coverplan
kheath wrote:There is definately a different view, depending on who you work for.
By that manufacturer service has to do 2 day service (in guarantee) or loose the job to a.n.other if a.n.other can take the call.
KevinUnless you happen to be a manufacturers agent and get a backlog when 50{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} of your your engineers get hit with flu and the boss goes loopy with stress. Assume Mr AN Other as mentioned may well be Connect? Now that I can see the benefit of, can’t get there for 2 days and not get the manufacturers rate, then the call comes in the back door for a greater remuneration.
I will probably see the positive side when I’m back in control which I hope is soon. At present I’m not really interested.
Alex
