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I am surprised that there has been no response to this question as it one of the biggest considerations of the customer when deciding whether or not to have a repair done; one advantage of posting a maximum labour charge would be to level the playing field between one man operations and larger agents and franchises so there would be no benefit in choosing to go with or the other. One of the best ways of deciding this charge could be to ask those signing up to the e-jobs what their current rates are and taking the average as the maximum labour charge but this would mean that those who as a norm charge more would have to comply with this charge for all e-jobs taken.
Of course there would have to be variations due to geographic location and it may be an idea to post a minimum call out charge for when a job is refused or is B.E.R. I applaud the idea of trying to be as “up front” as possible with this venture I wish all of you that sign up to it a prosperous future.
Richard Scanlon Snr
Re: e-Jobs
Over the last weeks I have been watching the development of various threads and the building excitement that seems to be infecting some of the members of the forum, I have become worried over certain issues and ideas put forward and only Kevin’s input seems to be having any effect on the discussion, he obviously feels the same concern as I regarding e-jobs and the allocation of such. My reference to DASA and jobs for the boys was due to the elitist attitude they had when it was first formed and that is what came over to me when I started reading this thread, with its references to agents and franchise holders.
But I do have more serious concerns over this issue that have not yet been brought to light and I feel could, if allowed to continue, damage this site and its growing reputation very seriously.
My concerns are to do with the membership and the lack of knowledge of the reputations of such members. Now we all know that we are all jolly good chaps that would never rip anyone off and our reputations and qualifications to do the work is obviously impeccable or is it? I have been on this site only a short time but have come to respect certain individuals as intelligent knowledgeable people but that does in no way tell me what kind of work they turn out, or if they are just bodge it and leg it guys! Now don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to slight anyone in particular but if the work is filled from this site and the customer is dissatisfied, it is this site that will be seen to be responsible and I would ask Ken to have a really serious rethink of the whole issue before ploughing ahead with this plan.
The potential income from work gained on this site is tremendous but the damage that could be done to the site by unscrupulous cowboys is a greater. Lets face it all you are asking the members to do is join the site and then to subscribe and sign up to the charter in order to join in the e-jobs and you know nothing abut them am I being paranoid? I think not.
I believe that some kind of vetting should be put in place prior to being allowed to join in the e-jobs maybe your new AC could come up with something? I don’t know, I only know that this is being rushed and could harm the site beyond repair if it all goes pear shaped.
Richard Scanlon Snr
Re: e-Jobs
Correct me if I’m wrong but the way I read this is that the authorised agents get the cream and if they can’t handle the amount of work coming in it is thrown out to the commoners. Seems a lot like DASA and jobs for the boys. 🙁
Re: Part P Or Not To Part P
I think you are correct ken, it is insane. It’s insane that this thread is here instead of the rumour mill, everything on here is a case of “he said or I’ve heard” I have read and re-read the document and followed all the links and there is no hard evidence of any of what you and others are saying, I will argue this point no longer and await the clarification that will surely come after the instigation date.
What does concern me at the moment is the stupidity of this new legislation, the figures quoted for needing this addition to the regulations are 10 deaths and 750 serious injuries; due to this new legislation I can see this figure going up in leaps and bounds as people no longer replace faulty sockets due to the cost of having to call out a competent person to do what is after all a basic DIY job another case of jobs for the boys I think. How many jobs have you been to where the cause of the problem is a cheapo or cracked socket top that has caused burning on the plug due to loose connections? Then you would have changed the socket, fitted a new plug tested the appliance and away you go with cash in hand and a happy customer but now all you will be able to do is change the plug and tell the customer to call a certified electrician to change the socket resulting in a unhappy customer who will be charged extortionate rates to change the socket.
Re: Part P Or Not To Part P
Thank you k but if you look again at your link you will notice that it doesn’t specify the type of connection (other than it being a NEW connection) regarding the cooker or shower unit, as for these houses with the isolating switch above the worktop, most that I have come across lead to a plug under the unit that can be removed so this is not a fixed unit either. Obviously anything hardwired to a cooker outlet or fused switched spur does come under the regulations although I would think that if you can isolate the cooker etc without removing the cover there would be IMO no problem in repairing the unit. In other words as long as you don’t mess with the house circuit carry on as normal
I don’t understand this, anything on a plug is NOT a fixed appliance the legislation reads clearly enough so why the panic? a cooker that is hard wired is a fixed appliance as you have to remove the cover plate to gain access to the wires a built in cooker that runs off a plug is not; very stright forward really otherwise anything with a plug on would come under the regulations and can you really see anyone getting a tricky in to change the plug on their hairdryer or tv.
A man in a hot air balloon realised he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.”
The woman below replied, “You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.”
“You must be an engineer,” said the balloonist.
“I am,” replied the woman, “How did you know?”
“Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is, technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help so far.”
The woman below responded, “You must be in DASA.”
“I am,” replied the balloonist, “but how did you know?”
“Well,” said the woman, “you don’t know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.”Quite Apt
Re: Truth or Urban Myth
Just appoint Martin, if the coffin would not go down the steps how did they get the washer in?
Re: Good news coming soon!
Yes it will still be quite legal to sniff glue, ok to smoke pot and walk round stinking like a skunk but legal activities like smoking will be banned. Makes perfect sense to me.
But fear not Tony if you are a member of a private club you will still be able to puff away to your hearts content. 😆
Richard Scanlon Snr
Re: Fuel Protests
Didn’t think this would affect you K as your vans are mostly off the road due to impact damage 8)
Re: What is the most useful tool in your toolbox?
My notebook with all the faults, hints and tips from UKW 😀
Re: rumours
Firstly I would like to thank Ken and Martin for their response to my post, they are without doubt the most honest and forthcoming people on the site, who will give a member the chance to speak in ignorance and reply with information that is relevant to that post without making you feel that you have no right to post if you don’t know the full story. Well I don’t know the full story and as far as it goes I am very doubtful that I ever will with the hints and innuendoes that fly backwards and forwards, but I will keep trying as I honestly believe that this trade is worth the time and effort needed to ensure a future for it.
This thread started with a rumour that may or may not have any substance to it, but the reaction to it was to put it bluntly over the top, a simple its not true would have sufficed to kill the thread but it was obvious by the reaction, that someone touched a nerve and Phil reacted with what I would call a more knee jerk response than should have come from a DASA council member yet unfortunately he has failed to give any further response after he had calmed down, at least with Oldtog he is there for the running.
One thing I would like to ask the DASA council is why they do not have a trade forum for non members so they can explain their aims and intentions in a more in-depth manner, it works for UKW with just proof of being in the trade, if they did every one that registered would be a potential member.
As for the rumour itself, if DASA is intending to go to bed with manufactures and WPs then I personally think it is the end of the line for the association because the ones who will be pulling the strings will be these bodies and that goes against why we chose to work for ourselves in the first place.
We need to come together as a trade and we need to deal with these bodies in the workplace but on an even footing. How can anyone speak freely if part of the problem is sat on the council? or in a meeting? Who could vote freely with no fear of retribution if their boss were sat there? In fact the only persons who would feel free to voice their opinions would be those who have and want no dealings with them like myself.
I am not pro or anti DASA because I don’t know anything about them, what I do know is that with the current membership they are in no way representative of this trade and I think that we really do need to be represented; I was hoping that after the DASA AGM there would be good news for everyone with a clear plan that would encourage other’s to join and be part of a future success, well, maybe there is we will just have to wait while Santa comes and see what goodies he has in his sack for us!
Richard Scanlon SnrRe: rumours
I find it strange really that so much animosity is displayed in threads to do with DASA. I find it difficult to comprehend why there is so much ill feeling on the subject, you either are or are not a member and I am sure that both sides have what they consider to be good reasons for their stand on the issue of membership.
I personally know nothing about DASA other than what I have read on here and what is posted on their site, the trouble is that amounts to nothing other that witnessing the in fighting that is going off and being assured that big things are in the pipeline! no good to me! If you want to see the colour of my money you will have to be more open about what you are doing and if it is pertinent, who you intend to do it with.
As I have stated in other posts I believe that unity within our trade is necessary for any improvements to be gained, otherwise we will find ourselves being played off against each other by certain parties. DASA to my eyes seems to act like some sort of secret society where only the few get to know what is going off, is that the way to encourage new members? UKW on the other hand is quite open and access is available in most areas with the exception of the DASA forum and the subscriber forum which is for members only.
So this post is only to be expected, if no reliable information is available you will have to expect rumours to abound, the obvious answer to those who don’t like it and are in the know, so to speak, is for them to be more open with information. One of the council members could have replied and denied the rumour but chose not to and that in itself speaks volumes.
Richard Scanlon Snr
