brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

So the heating has not been fixed. It turns out that British Gas is comprised of bureaucratic faffsticks who will choose to replace at least one part that does not really need replacing, return TWO DAYS LATER to replace a second part and then decide someone else will have to stop round some other time altogether to rewire the entire system.

However, due to some obscure British Gas policy, we won't be able to get a rewiring engineer to look at it and sign us off onto the WAITING LIST to have our boiler rewired until January at the earliest. And the last faffstick boiler engineer to show up at our door informed us that we will likely be looking at the end of January before there is any rewiring done at all. Further to all that, we were told this morning that British Gas might in fact deny all responsibility of the boiler and direct us to the manufacturer and the person who installed the system in the first place. Nonetheless, they would be charging our landlord for all three visits and the two unnecessarily replaced parts.

As a parting gesture, Boiler Man gave us a fan heater he had in the back of the van. Matthew was rather touched by this until I pointed out that we get our electricity from British Gas as well, and as the fan heater is about as economically viable an option as flushing a toilet with liquid gold, British Gas wins again!

So, to recap: British Gas 4 - 0 House of Erqsome.

Comments

[Sharon]

I hope you're paying less rent during this time. It's completely unacceptable. I hope you're ok. xxx

[Larissa]

Oh hell, that's ridiculous! And in the coldest December in years. Sending you warm thoughts hon. x

[jasmine]

do you want the name of a boiler repair person?? I have one if you'd like...

[Mary]

As one who grew up in England (50's), I still remember the workmen who would show up for various repairs. They promptly looked over whatever the problem might be, and just as promptly broke out their heating device to make tea. Once the tea break was over, they had to move on to the next job, never actually touching the problem in our house. Luckily, my father was extremely handy and after a few of the scenes described above, usually just fixed things himself. The landlord was grateful as it cost him very little and the job was done properly.

I will hope that the weather suddenly becomes much warmer for January...or how 'bout a trip to an island in the South Pacific? Wishful thinking, I know.

[Walterknitty]

Oh, for Christ sake. A whole month without heat?! In January?! Hang in there, and go somewhere with heat for Christmas.

[Eliza]

good god, this is turning into quite the epic. hopefully there's a turning point for our fair heroine sometime very soon!