Sales guy at the door, tempting offer

ando

I had a sales guy representing a sub contractor of Retrofit Energy Ireland (REI) turn up at my house yesterday evening selling heating controls upgrade... for free! So what happens is they come in, upgrade the heating controls, zone the house and then apply for the grant under my name. They get the grant paid directly to either them or the REI. Can I trust a REI subcontractor? They are on the RGII.ie website too.

Does this sound legit, I'm trying to weed out if this sounds too good to be true, or if we lost out on a boiler grant (we need a new boiler anyway within a year or so)

Wearb

I would contact SEAI Link and make further enquiries. If you do so, please let us know the outcome. Keep names out of any reply please.

ando

Ok so I rang both SEAI and REI (Retrofit Energy Ireland). The REI sub contractor left the last number out of his SEAI ID on the forms he gave me.. But SEAI could confirm the name of the company and then give me the missing number of his ID... Probably just a typo by the sales guy! Both SEAI and REI confirmed the sub contractor is a member of their organizations and REI said they were reputable (instantly, without even checking details up).. so I'm guessing its ok to go ahead with the controls upgrade. I'm not sure of any other checks that I can do?

Del2005

ando wrote: »

Ok so I rang both SEAI and REI (Retrofit Energy Ireland). The REI sub contractor left the last number out of his SEAI ID on the forms he gave me.. But SEAI could confirm the name of the company and then give me the missing number of his ID... Probably just a typo by the sales guy! Both SEAI and REI confirmed the sub contractor is a member of their organizations and REI said they were reputable (instantly, without even checking details up).. so I'm guessing its ok to go ahead with the controls upgrade. I'm not sure of any other checks that I can do?

Make sure that it was a REI rep that called to your door. Ring the number from their website and ask do they have people offering what you got offered.

Wearb

Caveat emptor. Even though you aren’t really buying anything, I’m sure you will be signing something. So be extra careful.

Did seai say if they had come across this (free) practice before?

jimf

you are asking the question so you have your concerns


if I'm totally honest this sounds too good to be true proceed with great caution

how much will this work cost afaik grants available are limited

zone work could be simple in your house but a nightmare in mine

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Sounds way too good to be true.

Tom44

I've had 2 customer's who got the FREE Zone system, which they didn't have to pay anything.
And they were happy.

Found this
http://cobhedition.com/?p=29297



.

Hitman3000

So someone is selling you something which costs you nothing? Seems legit.....

tedpan

Russell Hot Pub wrote:

Sounds way too good to be true.

I wonder how much the grant is. They are probably making a lot on the deal. Using the grant may stop you getting further SEAI grants in the future.

Did he say how much the energy system costs?

Dtp1979

I thought Seai were strict on this and only the customer can apply for the grant, not a third party

ando

Dtp1979 wrote: »

I thought Seai were strict on this and only the customer can apply for the grant, not a third party

On the legal forms that he gave me to sign its headed "RetroFit Energy Ireland Limited" paper. It says "I consent and hereby authorise REI and its sub-contractor to apply to SEAI on my behalf"

I rang REI and they confirmed the sub contractor is legit and that REI will apply for the grant and then in turn pay the sub contractor...

I believe the grant is worth €700.

ando

Sales guy also said they will earth the piping and provide a BER after the install.. I'm going to ring SEAI again and confirm this is a practice they know about

Alkers

ando wrote: »

Does this sound legit, I'm trying to weed out if this sounds too good to be true, or if we lost out on a boiler grant (we need a new boiler anyway within a year or so)

If you want to do the boiler upgrade also, you will need to geta second BER after the boiler upgrade to avail of that grant (about €150). You'd be better off getting the boiler upgraded and the heating controls changed at the same time.

ando

Legal form..

ando

Simona1986 wrote: »

If you want to do the boiler upgrade also, you will need to geta second BER after the boiler upgrade to avail of that grant (about €150). You'd be better off getting the boiler upgraded and the heating controls changed at the same time.

I don't believe there is a grant available for just a boiler upgrade though. The main grant goes on the controls, and if you do the boiler at the same time you get an extra €100 grant, but at the moment we cant afford to get the boiler done too

ando

So I rang SEAI and the lady I got through to said they havn't heard or come across this scheme before and couldnt see the grant covering the cost of controls and labour and no costs being passed to me. She told me to be cautious....

I rang REI and they confirmed that they do have sub contractors that do offer this from time to time and that yes its legit...

Alkers

Actually it seems the boiler upgrade has been replaced with a heat pump grant

jimf

ando wrote: »

So I rang SEAI and the lady I got through to said they havn't heard or come across this scheme before and couldnt see the grant covering the cost of controls and labour and no costs being passed to me. She told me to be cautious....

I rang REI and they confirmed that they do have sub contractors that do offer this from time to time and that yes its legit...

this was my initial thinking

couldn't see how the max grant could cover labour and parts etc

Wearb

So you now have all view points. I would advise your next step is to get details of all works, parts , labour detailed in writing. Costed and how grant payment stacks up against it all.

Whiteladder

ando wrote: »

So I rang SEAI and the lady I got through to said they havn't heard or come across this scheme before and couldnt see the grant covering the cost of controls and labour and no costs being passed to me. She told me to be cautious....

I rang REI and they confirmed that they do have sub contractors that do offer this from time to time and that yes its legit...

Hi ando

Just wondering did you go with this offer?

Tom44

Tom44 wrote: »

I've had 2 customer's who got the FREE Zone system, which they didn't have to pay anything.
And they were happy.

Found this
http://cobhedition.com/?p=29297



.

I know the MD of smart zone (importer) for 30 years.

jimf

Tom44 wrote: »

I know the MD of smart zone (importer) for 30 years.

oh good jesus another taxi driver :p:p

ando

Ok so the new gear all went in yesterday.. all seems to be working so far but haven't had a proper chance to test. Lads in the house for three/four hours.

So we have three digital thermostats for zoned upstairs, downstairs and hot press, a new immersion timer/clock control, digital upgrade controls at the boiler itself, all piping at the hot press earthed too and another guy is to do a BER cert for us over the coming days.. We also have had an extra device installed which enables the system for the internet so we can control the system from our phones when in or outside of the house, handy Total cost.. nothing :eek:

LFC Murphy

ando wrote: »

Ok so the new gear all went in yesterday.. all seems to be working so far but haven't had a proper chance to test. Lads in the house for three/four hours.

So we have three digital thermostats for zoned upstairs, downstairs and hot press, a new immersion timer/clock control, digital upgrade controls at the boiler itself, all piping at the hot press earthed too and another guy is to do a BER cert for us over the coming days.. We also have had an extra device installed which enables the system for the internet so we can control the system from our phones when in or outside of the house, handy Total cost.. nothing :eek:

Could you PM me details? Many thanks