If you want conflicting information ask the experts

@p1kef1sh (45681)
August 18, 2008 4:46am CST
This morning we had our gas heating boiler serviced. The boiler is quite elderly now and really ought to be updated to something that is more efficient. However, the gas salesman when he came told us that it was unreliable, no longer the best make and might be dangerous. The gas engineer that came to service the boiler said that these were some of the best and most reliable boilers and that it was good for another five years. It was perfectly safe and whilst a new one might be nice, he saw no reason to rush to change. Who do I believe? Which way would you go? The salesman or the engineer? Both work for the same company.
10 people like this
39 responses
@dagda24 (366)
18 Aug 08
I'd be inclined to believe the engineers as he will have more experience with the machines and how they work. The salesman probably does not have much technical knowledge about the boiler. He is also probably paid according to the number of sales he makes, so will say pretty much anything to get you to spend your money with them. If the engineer says the boiler is safe then it's most likely safe.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
That is my inclination Dagda. I would trust the engineer every time. Thank you.
2 people like this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
18 Aug 08
Well - the salesman probably wants to make a sale - but the engineer would know his old boilers! It's a bit of a hard one. If a new one would be more efficient, it might save you money in the long run and do a better job heating the place - on the other hand, if it ain't broke, why fix it! (Ask the missus ...)
2 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
The Boss, as I call her, would say go with the engineer too Guy. I'm inclined that way too. He seemed very trustworthy.
1 person likes this
@nannacroc (4049)
18 Aug 08
I would be inclined to believe the engineer. The salesman obviously makes more money if he makes a sale, it probably makes little difference to the engineer. Who had the best qualifications for judging if the boiler needed replacing? I don't think it would have been the salesman.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
I think so too Nanna. The engineer seemed very on the ball and matter of fact. The salesman was, well, a salesman!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
18 Aug 08
The engineer - he's the one with with hands on experience and should know whether your boiler is ok or not. The salesman is just that, a 'sales' man not the 'hands on' guy who knows the ins and outs of a boiler. I would go with the engineer.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
Me too. I trusted him a lot more.
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Go with the engineer - he's not trying to get a commission outta a sale!
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
That's what I think too. Thank you.
@ellie333 (21016)
18 Aug 08
Hi P1kef1sh, I would most certainly go with the engineers advice, he is the one who works with them all the time and knows whether they are safe or not, it is his career on the line if he says something is safe and it is not. The salesmana is probably on commission and needs to meet a sales target so has given you the talk to encourage you to upgrade to a nwer model. Thats my opinion any way but I am not a salesman or an engineer so an unbiased one I guess even though not qualified LOL. Ellie :D
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
I absolutely agree with you Ellie. The engineer seemed to really know his stuff and more importantly. I liked him. He seemed very straight and honest.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
24 Aug 08
Well, they sure don't make things like they used to..So maybe one is wanting you to get another one so that you will have to have it serviced more often. And since he is a saleman it is his job to try to sell stuff to people whether they need it or not. I figure he is just maybe after the commission he might get for selling you another one.I would actually try to get another opinion of a gas engineer(not a salesman) so that you would have a two against one racial.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
24 Aug 08
never to late or early for hugs..bring them on..HUGS good morning it is 7 in the morning right now..getting ready to head to bed and hubby is getting up...lol hug away..I never turn hugs away..well unless it smells like a skunk..lol
@p1kef1sh (45681)
24 Aug 08
Racial? You got me confused there Becky? But yes, I guess that the engineer is the better bet. I hope so, because it is his advice that we're going with. Ratio!! That's what you meant. LOL. Of course.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
24 Aug 08
LOL. Becky I do that too. Sometimes I read my posts back and cringe. Anyway. Is it too early for a hug? I've got to enjoy my Kentucky curves whilst I can. LOL.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
18 Aug 08
I would go with the engineer. this guy knows what he is talking about. he knows about boilers and how they work and how long they last. the salesman just wants to make money off of you getting a new one. and from what i understand they can be very costly! go with the man who builds and takes care of boilers. let the salesman make his money some place else
@34momma (13882)
• United States
18 Aug 08
good for you my friend
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
That's my feeling too Momma. The old boiler can creak on for a while longer.
1 person likes this
@justinus (1104)
• Karawaci, Indonesia
19 Aug 08
I am agree, ask the experts. but will the expert's refer able solve this "dispute" except only recommendations ?
@justinus (1104)
• Karawaci, Indonesia
19 Aug 08
you are very well come. ok, good luck
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Aug 08
I don't know. But I shall go with the engineer. Thank you.
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I would go with the egineer.. Becuase they work on the systems and they fix and repair them and know the problems more than a sales person would .. Remember most sales people get a commission when they actually sale a unit and he may be playing on your fears of the system being unsafe.. If you truly want an opion non biased go to a different company and get an egineer to look at it or a repair man.. Not some sales person who might just want you to up their sales and commission.
• United States
19 Aug 08
I'm glad that you decided to go with the egineer I feel safer with his diagnoses.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Aug 08
Good point Bella. I shall shop around when the time comes. But for now, the engineer told me what I wanted to hear.
1 person likes this
19 Aug 08
If the engineer is from a legitimate company then he is corgi registered. He would not tell you that the boiler is ok unless it was as an error like of that sort would jeopardize his corgi registration and therefore his job. The salesman is just that a salesman and makes his living by selling things so he may not tell you out and out lies (well he might I suppose) but he will put a slant on things that are likely to make a sale. Stick with the registered expert.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Aug 08
Both are British Gas! But the engineer seemed the more competent of the two. he knew his way around boilers anyway.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Aug 08
LOL. Yep I agree entirely.
19 Aug 08
Oh I did not know it was british gas or my answer would have been short like this "Don't trust that salesman further than you can throw him."
@tessah (6617)
• United States
19 Aug 08
easy differential here.. the SALESMAN says you need to buy a new one.. the ENGINEER says the one you have is fine. is this really very hard to figger out?
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Aug 08
Nope. But I like to give some the intellectual exercise!!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 08
It's alright for you intelligent types. When you are a twit like me these things take time to work out!!
@tessah (6617)
• United States
19 Aug 08
umm then try harder cause this was a no brainer
@ruby222 (4847)
18 Aug 08
A right old predicament I call that one!Hi Piky!.well if it were unsafe the gas engineer would have had to condemn it by law,so impresuming its not condemned,and one of the major sadnesses is that if you had been in reciept of certain benefits then the boiler would have had to have been replaced for you at no cost to yourselves.I know this because a friends hubby has Parkinsons,and he is on a DLA allowance and he has recently had his boiler changed on the house..or the government lol..but no the conflictinfg opinions are very dificult to cope with,you are right!and maybe they should form some sort of coalition,and come to a clear cut decision lol..
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
Now wouldn't a brand new boiler on the Nation be good Ruby. But it is the story of my life that when the handouts are given, it's usually me giving them rather than receiving!! I think what I give is called "Tax"!
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
18 Aug 08
It is called life Piky me dear..
@mands61123 (2098)
18 Aug 08
engineer i work with salesman and mechanics so i'm a pretty good judge for this one. Realistically your boiler may not be as efficient as some of those on the market now but it's likely to last about another 3 years. Salesmen are meant to sell you everything they possibly can with the focus likely being on efficiency and engineers are supposed to maintain it for as long as they possibly can. Each will focus on their own department and targets etc. So i would realistically go in the middle as i stated above. If you still feel unsure and a bit bothered by the uncertainty you are completely entitled to ring the company and ask for a second opinion. If they become difficult explain the situation and that it isn't a wise idea to be giving customers contradicting advice it make them look unprofessional.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
I have no doubt that you are quite right Mands. Salesmen have to know their products and I am quite sure that this chap does. In a sense though, the engineer told me wanted to hear. It's easier in that case to go with him for now. Thank you or your advice and help.
18 Aug 08
ps. just reading some of the comments and i have to stick up for salesmen here the majority of industries are very strict about saftey, training, product knowledge, recalls (common faults) etc although the salesman may not actually be able to fix the boiler he is likely to be just as well trained as the engineer. Of course it all depends on the company but the increasing use of standard testing and mystery shops by most companyies weed out the people that have little idea or inclination. Just wanted to stick up for them as it's a bit of a common misconception that salesmen only have to be able to sell and nothing else.
@pumpkinjam (8876)
• United Kingdom
18 Aug 08
I would probably believe the engineer for the following reasons:1. Engineers are better trained in their art than salesmen 2. The engineer is far more likely than a salesman to know whether or not a gas boiler is safe or not. 3. The engineer will get paid either way, the salesman will get commission if he sells you a new boiler. 4. Never believe a salesman.
• United Kingdom
18 Aug 08
I just might add though that the salesman is correct in that a new boiler may be more efficient although, having studied this sort of thing myself, the older boilers are not necessarily as inefficient as some newer models. If, however, you do want a new one, may I suggest that you go to the Potterton website. They are the best ones, whatever their age.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
That's very helpful thank you Pumpkin. I have heard that Potterton make good boilers. Right now I shall hang on to this one. I have enough claims on my cash!!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I would tend to go with the engineer. The salesman is probably trying to get a commission.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 08
I think so too. Thank you.
@dexterous21 (1180)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Oh! I think you should believe the gas engineer. I guess the gas salesman just want to make sales thats why he is criticizing your boiler.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 08
I think that sounds the right advice. Thank you.
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
18 Aug 08
Hiya P1ke..well as you already know thats why they call him a salesman..everything that comes out of their mouth is usually to make a great sale for the company not to help you, so i would believe/trust the engineer and hang on for a bit longer..unless you have the money to burn..then come to Texas and waste it here..lol.. huggs
@p1kef1sh (45681)
18 Aug 08
Agreed. If i had money to burn I'd be there like a shot. The thought of days helping Rosie in the shop (unpaid of course), making her lunches and then long evenings watching the sun go and the stars twinkle thrills me to my core. X
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
18 Aug 08
Awww the ever romantic..why wasn't there two of you??..Do you think you could sneak out for just a bit and tell Mrs. P1ke you would be right back..hee hee
• United States
21 Aug 08
The salesman wants to make a sale. The engineer wants to fix your stuff. He has no desire to sell you horse dung about how long your heater will last, but he does have an understanding of how to fix them and it might not seem like a big deal to him. So, you have two perspectives and two countering points of view. In general, I would find the engineer to have less of a personal bias than the sales person and I don't think most salespeople really know their head from a hole in the ground. They say what they want to say to sell you something and get commission.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
21 Aug 08
That's sort of my view too. The engineer has no axe to grind. If the boiler's bust and he cannot fix it he will say so and it is time for a new one. But that time isn't yet.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I'd go with the engineer. His pay check does not depend on you buying a new heater from him. If you are still undecided, check with the gas company.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Aug 08
That's a good point. I shall go with the engineer.