What would you do? (Trust dilemma)

well, it is a good job you came on the forum to ask for an opinion. I think it is a shame that some people have talked you into having a brand new system, which may be less efficient than the one you have at the moment, there must be something in it for them, presumably a nice profit,and I assume it will be in cash or at least in his overseas account? Mind you, with the long winter approaching, and possible food shortages, it may be as well to keep yourself warm, a little bit of bread and no cheese is not enough to keep you going, don't listen to those who tell you otherwise. I did hear that a lot of people were protesting in a polite and good humoured way about this man and his associates, and even though it was all calm, one of his gang had the audacity to call the police and demand protection! What a cheek, especially as we all know he doesn't pay as much tax as he should. So, dear friend, I would suggest you wait a few days, this man will be found out eventually, and he and his dreadful business associates will have to change their ways if they wish to stay in business.

'So you mean you don’t actually know what type of boiler you’re getting, or how much it’s going to cost you to run? No offence, but that sounds a bit foolish. Are you usually this easily taken in by men with posh accents?'...
how rude of you to question the OP in this way.It's as if you're insinuating that she's a bit silly; she has every right to throw away her life savings if she wants to....

now, now Labaik, no need to be so dismissive, if it is the Will of Amagran to buy an overpriced, unwanted boiler that will not work as well as the one she has at the moment, then who are we to question it? She made her decision one day, over three years ago, and under the new regulations she doesn't have the right to change her mind, even though lots of her friends have lobbied outside the business premises on her behalf.

I'm another who would not let this person mess with your central heating. He clearly had no idea whether to leave things as they are or to rip it out. And once out, how long would it be before a new system was installed and functioning? He may be one of those people who create chaos and then p* off... I heard of one of those in 2016 who created a terrific mess and was hardly seen afterwards. The first one (let's call him Dave), created such a state of anxiety, caused family members to fall out, - and although it's limping along, the issue with the boiler is still not resolved.

I suggest you work with what you have and seek to modify it whilst in situ. Clearly something isn't quite right or you wouldn't have been considering an engineer in the first place. You may need a few modifications to make your current system work better and more you your liking. I think that the best way to go.

Please don't be taken in by this charlatan- there is winter coming and a lot to lose...

I'm not stupid SirChenjin, it's not just his posh accent. He makes me laugh as well. Life would be very boring if all our heating engineers were serious and talked about facts and numbers all the time.

Besides, he blows a lot of hot air so that must be good for a heating system too.

Amagran - why are you asking us about this?
You have clearly decided to go with a totally unnecessary boiler as you want to believe this man.
I am beginning to lose patience. But maybe you aren't feeling well?

Please get someone you trust to sit down with you and look over all the pros and cons rationally.
You are the person most likely to suffer here.
We are all wishing you well.

Wise words NotSpaghetti, come to think of it, my heating guy did mention someone called Dave - he called him a 'swirly got' (or was it git - I can't remember. It was something like that anyway.) I don't think he was such a laugh and definitely didn't know anything about pole-dancing. Or central heating.

Well, I heard that 'Dave' gave you the original estimate, assured you that you really didn't need a new heating system, that your current one worked fine, and would be even more efficient with a few tweaks. I think he decided to go in writing books after that? Anyway, be careful of this new man, he was trained at the same place, they are very cliquey, seem to dominate the hot air industry.

NotSpaghetti, thank you for your concern and flowers. Sorry, maybe I am stupid after all, but what does r-a-t-i-o-n-a-l-l-y mean? When you say someone I trust, do you mean this nice posh engineery-type bloke?

Thanks GillT57. I think I shall have to go and read my DM for a bit.

I'd be wary of anyone who promised the earth by October 31st, tbh, however charming, amusing, tousled and blond he might be.

Him and his mate Dave have an agenda, I'm sure. And it's nothing to do with central heating and everything to do with offshore tax regulations....

Loving this thread, btw. (grin)

What assurances will this engineer give you about anything going wrong with the new boiler; how much of a guarantee will it have. Does he, himself have the same boiler and, if so if his breaks down will he, too be in danger of freezing to death this winter. And, what happens to the poor man if not getting the contract from you means he is out of a job? Will he find a new one? Will his family be poor and destitute and homeless? I fear that may be the case and my heart bleeds for him which makes it very wrong of you not to trust your life savings with this man.

I have visions of him being dead in a ditch if you don't give him this work......

You could always have a look online, there is a club run by a bloke who keeps trying to get a job with the same firm but keeps getting rejected, in fact he has had to set up a similar business abroad, but I don't think it is going very well, some fuss about fishing and meetings he didn't attend, but lots of people think he is great and in fact should be doing the central heating installation for you.

I've seen him. Saw a picture of him in a gold coloured building with that gorgeous Trump man. He must be doing well business wise as he doesn't have to work very much to live quite comfortably. Looks very trustworthy, too. Good, honest face.

Notspaghetti a wise post!
Surely no-one would take this on if there are rumours in the area about this bloke's honesty and experience.
Really OP you've been well warned and if you remain blinkered like this you'll regret it.

That's him, Labaik! He does look trustworthy and honest - pity though that his face couldn't be a bit more orange, like the nice Trump man.

I am gutted by your suggestion that he might be destitute if I don't give him the work - I think this could be the deciding factor in whether or not to trust him. Your visions of him lying dead in a ditch...….Oh, Labaik, how do you sleep at night?

Yes Labaik he looks such a decent, honest man, the kind who would buy you a pint in the pub, probably also get permission for you to smoke too, he can't be doing with all this health and safety nonsense! He must be some kind of authority on plumbing and heating, he is always on BBC, giving his advice and opinion, they really rate him. He has even got his own call in advice service on LBC I think, where you can phone and ask him about plumbing issues, have you tried that Amagran? May be worth a try if the other chap is busy.

You could always offer the work to a certain Mr Corbyn as I’m pretty sure he’ll be looking for work very soon, could even be as early as Nov, 1st, I’m sure his rates are very reasonable. Some very nasty people around so do be very careful. He has a mate who’s name is McDonald. You can’t be too careful, can you?.
You don’t have to worry about him being too posh or even a little bit posh, just a couple of nice working class men.
Make sure you ask for a guarantee as I’ve heard a few people say he’s a bit dodgy.

Come on anagram just bite the bullet and admit he might be conning you.
I'm sure if he gave you dodgy advice and iffy estimates he couldn't take you to court over it.
Stop! Think again! You aren't yet committed to a contract and have every right to change your mind. Please let us know how things go.

But I assumed that, having taken it this far the OP couldn't now go back on giving him the work. I mean he's given up his time to go to her house and provide a quote [probably gave up some of his valuable time chatting to her as well because he's that sort of chap] so there's no way she can go back on this now. Other than, perhaps, deciding to keep her old boiler? But that isn't now possible, is it. Surely she's legally bound to give him the work [I'm not very knowledgeable about these things].

In reply to Amagran; I sleep well at night, thank you. We are all masters of our own fate, I believe and, if my actions do cause problems for someone else, well, they should have factored that into things. Their fault. Not my problem.

But mcem, if I can't trust a posh buffoon with unkempt hair and his shirt hanging half out of his trousers, who can I trust?

He looks so much like the PM he could almost be the PM!

You mustn't be fooled by an idiot masquerading as someone who knows what he is doing!
Rise above those that tell you just to go for it and get it done. No intelligent person would cave into the pressure imposed on you.
Be brave! Don't surrender! Don't listen to those who say your home will be warm only if you spend a huge amount of cash when you know deep in your heart of hearts that you must take this seriously and think of your wider family who in time to come may criticise you. Rise and say that you've thought again, that you regret the wasted time but say No Thank You.
You know it makes sense!!!!!