British Gas servicing central heating

[Meg 50]

I mentioned the other day on another topic that we were having problems with cars parked outside our house for days on end...

we came back from Adonia 4 weeks ago tomorrow to discover we couldn't park outside because there was a British Gas Central heating service van parked outside...

it's still there - hasn't move an inch.

we called the council to report it stolen/dumped and the very nice council man called back today to tell us about it...

He called BG (the number emblazoned on the back of the van which he saw when he came to check our tale) and they said,
" Oh that one's registered to a female operative who is pregnant and taking a year off" !!!!!!!!!!!!
Council man told BG in no uncertain terms that it had better be shifted or he'd do it!

So that's where all that money goes that people pay for their BG service contract - to have vans out of action for an entire year!

[GillD46]

How ridiculous!

[Stephen]

Sounds like a good media name and shame story Meg.

[david63]

Just hope that the tax man is aware as she will be liable to tax on a "company vehicle" that she is not using

[Meg 50]

hadn't thought of that - just consulting the accountant!

[Meg 50]

accountant says she's probably in the clear - it is only a benefit in kind if it is a car (not a van) and is used for domestic use as well. Whether she’s working or not does not matter.

[Dancing Queen]

Just another thought Meg, when does the tax disc run out, isn't it an offence to park on a road if the tax has run out and who would be responsible her or BG.

[Meg 50]

the tax is ok at the mo - otherwise the council man would have impounded it then and there

[Stephen]

the tax is ok at the mo - otherwise the council man would have impounded it then and there

Are you any good with an aerosol Meg........late at night. You didn't hear that from me

[jay-ell71]

Does this pregnant lady live in your road? Has she just dumped the van in a random street? This is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard.

[Meg 50]

she's been seen going into a house diagonally across the road - but I'd never seen her before - so maybe some relie has suggested she leave it 'in our road cos it's quieter'...


It has now moved to outside the house diagonally opposite (other diagonal to hers) - exactly as happened last time we had a car 'dumped' outside. Be interesting to see how long it stays there

[oldbluefox]

How much do you want for the wheels?

[david63]

Meg is in London - not Liverpool

[Silver_Shiney]

Meg is in London - not Liverpool

alright, how much for the wheels and battery?

[Meg 50]

Meg is in London - not Liverpool

alright, how much for the wheels and battery?

funny you should say that....

we had a car nicked from a Hospital car park. The police, when we rang them were most indignant "cos we have that car park under surveillance..."

anyway, it was found a few days later perfectly healthy, but sans battery

[Boris+]

I think it's annoying, and blasted daft too. If someone is off work for a long time due to something like pregnancy, firstly the employer shouldn't reveal the personal circumstances of an employee, but secondly that van is an 'asset' (albeit a depreciating asset) to the company.

I wonder if it is provided to BG on some sort of lease - and if so won't it have to comply with the maintenance schedule involved in the lease? Shame you couldn't find out who the leasing company is - that might help a bit.

Em

[Meg 50]

yup - it's leased - it says so on the number plate

[Silver_Shiney]

Has said driver got a driveway or space outside their own house? Although you are legally entitled to park anywhere (unless parking restrictions are in force), it's sheer bad manners to park outside someone else's house if you've got space on or outside your own house.

[Meg 50]

yes - which is why we get cross - if it's gonna be off road it could go on the runway and a more regularly used car could block it in.
we are beginning to think that she doesn't even live here, just left it near a relie's house

[Meg 50]

Although you are legally entitled to park anywhere (unless parking restrictions are in force),

but after 3 weeks of non movement, the council will take action - even if legally parked

[Wina G]

Although you are legally entitled to park anywhere (unless parking restrictions are in force),

but after 3 weeks of non movement, the council will take action - even if legally parked

We've had a dirty old camper van parked on the road below our house for months now, it's taxed & insured till the end of this month & nothing has been done about it despite a visit from a PCSO & our local prospective councillor to try & find out who it belongs to (it's registered in Scotland )

[Boris+]

Would it be 'a step too far' maybe to contact the leasing company - there are usually requirements in a lease for a vehicle to be parked overnight in parking which is prescribed by them (eg on a driveway etc), and also there may well be a maintenance part of the contract - which will mean that the vehicle has to be moved.

It's going to be awkward when the system changes and tax discs are no longer issued - will there be a website where people can check whether the tax disc has been applied for etc for a vehicle?

I do hope this situation gets sorted out soon for you Meg.

Em

[Mervyn and Trish]

One would have thought that if she is off for a year on maternity leave someone else would have to be doing her work. Do they travel by bus? Or is it British Gas policy to simply suspend service contracts if your local engineer gets pregnant? Either way as a policy it doesn't sound very cost effective.

[Wina G]

We've had a dirty old camper van parked on the road below our house for months now, it's taxed & insured till the end of this month & nothing has been done about it despite a visit from a PCSO & our local prospective councillor to try & find out who it belongs to (it's registered in Scotland )

Just done an abandoned vehicle report to our local authority, watch this space

[Keechy]

One would have thought that if she is off for a year on maternity leave someone else would have to be doing her work. Do they travel by bus? Or is it British Gas policy to simply suspend service contracts if your local engineer gets pregnant? Either way as a policy it doesn't sound very cost effective.

No it isn't cost effective, but why should BG worry - they can just pass the cost on to their customers.