Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Inquiry about what a "full service" contract should cover
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Christoria
11-12-08, 07:11 PM
Hi everyone!
Ok, here's my dilemma: switched to a biofuel co. approx. 1 1/2- 2 yrs ago. Signed a five year contract which included a "full-service" contract with the agreement I would stay with this service for 5 years (not a problem up front). Fast forward to 6 wks ago. boiler was smoking (by the way I have a typical Long Island oil burner) I called repeatedly, e-mailed, left numerous messages on this one Sunday- got no response (even though the contract states 24-hr emergency service) so I turn off boiler thanks to advice from this awesome site and great people.
OK, to get to the point, today I had a service call made to my house because I had a slow drip from the tank (Extrol tank?) attached to the boiler. As usual they dont show nor call the day of and finally get back to me today- give me a 3 hour window (which they were an hour late for)- THEY SAID THE TANK WAS BAD- IT HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEY RELACED IT FOR $200.00!!! SHOULDN'T THIS PART BE COVERED UNDER THE CONTRACT? I have a 2nd home with a little rinky dink oil co. and they cover this part. Any opinions/ factual back-up that I can bring to these jerks attention? Please advise
Ok, here's my dilemma: switched to a biofuel co. approx. 1 1/2- 2 yrs ago. Signed a five year contract which included a "full-service" contract with the agreement I would stay with this service for 5 years (not a problem up front). Fast forward to 6 wks ago. boiler was smoking (by the way I have a typical Long Island oil burner) I called repeatedly, e-mailed, left numerous messages on this one Sunday- got no response (even though the contract states 24-hr emergency service) so I turn off boiler thanks to advice from this awesome site and great people.
OK, to get to the point, today I had a service call made to my house because I had a slow drip from the tank (Extrol tank?) attached to the boiler. As usual they dont show nor call the day of and finally get back to me today- give me a 3 hour window (which they were an hour late for)- THEY SAID THE TANK WAS BAD- IT HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEY RELACED IT FOR $200.00!!! SHOULDN'T THIS PART BE COVERED UNDER THE CONTRACT? I have a 2nd home with a little rinky dink oil co. and they cover this part. Any opinions/ factual back-up that I can bring to these jerks attention? Please advise
mbct451
11-12-08, 07:31 PM
Greetings from the other side of the Sound. I assume the smoking boiler had nothing to do with the leaky Extrol tank? If its a blue Extrol tank its probably the expansion tank for the hot water system, which will eventually go bad. Whether or not this is covered will depend on the fine print in your "full-service" contract, which should give a long list of exactly what is covered. Anything that is not specifically listed is usually specifically not covered. The term "full-service" has no legal meaning that I know of. From what I have seen, Extrol would provide a separate warranty on the tank itself that would cover defects and 5 - 10 years against rust-through. After that, I'm guessing it is considered normal wear and tear and you have to pay for the replacement.
Grady
11-13-08, 07:37 AM
Read the contract carefully but it sounds like you may have grounds for cancellation. The 24 hr service may be for fuel delivery, only at certain times of the year, or mean they will respond within 24 hours. Without seeing the contract it's hard to tell.
As a consumer, I don't like service contracts. They are a huge money maker for the service company & the consumer generally gets poor service. If the provider does have to come out it costs them money. That being the case, they would rather come during regular business hours so they don't have to pay OT & they want to get in & out as quick as possible. Being in the trade, I see it all the time.
As a consumer, I don't like service contracts. They are a huge money maker for the service company & the consumer generally gets poor service. If the provider does have to come out it costs them money. That being the case, they would rather come during regular business hours so they don't have to pay OT & they want to get in & out as quick as possible. Being in the trade, I see it all the time.