Able group - terrible, terrible service! Avoid at all costs

[F3DUPCONSUM3R 1]

The ABLE GROUP provide property maintenance services, ie glaziers, locksmiths, plumbers, electricians, drainage, gas, heating, pest control, etc.

 

Please note however: If you need any such services, I suggest you look elsewhere. I have had the most horrendous experience with them and I hope my post helps others avoid going through the same horror story.

 

Booked them to clear my house external drains, was quoted £114 to have them 4 drains unblocked.

 

On the 7th of April, their Eng. came out, informed that the drains were now in good working order. My other half took his word for it and why not... They are supposed to be the specialists.

 

After weeks of rain, I took time during last sunny weekend to clear the garden in prep. for the Summer and noticed that two drains had not been touched at all and were still blocked.

 

Called their Customer Service, a few days ago, no reply.

 

Called today and they refuse point blank to rectify the issue unless I pay again £114.00.

 

What an outrage this company is really. I am absolutely furious with this disgusting bunch of dodgy people, taking the mickey.

 

My advice to anyone is very simple: Learn from my experience and definitely engage an alternative company.

[BankFodder 2,102]

Last November my 98-year-old mother called a plumber to clear a blocked toilet. He came from the Able Group, with a head office located in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and the only reason my mother chose them was because they had a big advert in the local trade directory. The blockage wasn't cleared and the plumber charged £123 for the experience. All he did was pour water down the pan and there was no sign of any rods or jetting equipment being used. I have tried complaining but all that has been offered is a measly 10% refund as a gesture of goodwill

 

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/feb/13/plumber-cost-toilet-blocked-complaint

[BankFodder 2,102]

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.able-group.co.uk

[F3DUPCONSUM3R 1]

I just emailed them in no uncertain terms:

 

From: xxx

Sent: 12 May 2016 18:27

To: xxx

Subject: FORMAL COMPLAINT - JOB 1851357

 

Hi,

 

Further to my earlier communications over the phone with your company today, additionally to another phone call a few days ago, to which I received no reply, I write to protest about the appalling manner in which I have been treated, which was in breach of my rights under provision of the Consumer Goods & Services Act 1974; and now is in breach of my rights under provision of the CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015.

 

In view of the fact that I contracted your services to come to the property and clear the drains, but your engineer did not clear the drains satisfactorily, leaving TWO of the four drain holes unchecked and untouched [and therefore blocked as they were before], your company is in breach of the said Act, including but not limited to Chapter IV – Section 49.

 

I am therefore writing to demand satisfaction of my Right of Repeat Performance Free of Charge, under provision of the said Act, including but not limited to Chapter IV Section 55 and any other subsequent provisions of the same Act.

 

I should remind you that under The Consumer Rights Act 2015, Chapter 4 – Section 57, your liabilities cannot be excluded or restricted by any terms of your contract for provision of services and therefore my Rights do stand valid!

 

Please note that if satisfaction as demanded herein is not forthcoming within SEVEN DAYS of this email, I will take legal action under provision of the said Act – Chapter 4 in all of its relevant provisions, including but not limited to Sections 54, 55, 56 and 58.

 

Please ring the property to arrange a repeat of the service, to the extent which was required and contracted at the beginning, to clear ALL external drains and ensure rain and drain water flows freely through, WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE DATE ON THIS EMAIL.

 

Failure to do so will prompt me to take legal action without any further notice.

 

Regards

[BankFodder 2,102]

I can see that the letter has basically everything that you need in it, but I have to say that is rather long winded and I generally find that this kind of letter it is not very effective because it sounds verbose and companies don't often take this kind of style very seriously.

 

I hope you won't be too offended if I say that it sounds like a rant.

 

Anyway, you sent it and you made your point very clear. Have you informed yourself as to how you begin your legal action in seven days when they don't respond?

 

Also, do you realise that there is a pre-action protocol which in most circumstances requires you give 14 days notice before beginning a legal action?

[mariner51 696]

Quaking in their boots - not.

[F3DUPCONSUM3R 1]

I do not need them to quak in their boots. I simply need them to comply with the Law and do the job properly.

 

If they do not contact back and do not arrange to repeat the job, this time properly, I will seek enforcement of the Law through the Courts.

 

It is that simple. Whether they quak in their boots or not, I really do not give a toss about that.

 

Companies in the UK take customers for granted all the time. Enough is enough!

 

Hi,

 

The letter is a bit longer because I wanted to quote the relevant legislation. I hope they realise that they are liable.

 

I thought 7 days was enough... It doesn't matter, by the time the Court paper work goes into processing, it will be more than 14 days.

 

My understanding is that the claim will have to be filed through Small Claims Track, and if the company does not comply with the Specific Performance Order, I would have to return to the Court and enter a request for the Court to enforce the Order.

 

Cheers