to be cross with British Gas.

I have always thought BG are dearer than other companies for everything they offer.

British Gas are always dearer. My Mum had a new Boiler 5 years ago from them. I asked her to get a couple of other quotes, but she didn't as in her mind they are the Gas Board and to be trusted. They charged her over £1000 more than a similar one elsewhere...grrrrr.

It was the immediate 10% discount that irritated me the most.

The same recently happened to a friend when she cancelled with British Gas. We had a new boiler put in by them last summer and got a really good deal much cheaper than expected. I guess it was because there's not a lot of call for new boilers in the Summer!

We chose British Gas for ours two years ago after checking their quote against others. BG’s was one of the two cheapest and included free servicing for 5 years.

But yes, it is annoying when a quote can suddenly be made more attractive when there’s someone else in the frame.

There’s an advert running on tv with I think Miranda Hart doing the voice over, sounds like her anyway. It’s naming another boiler provider who does it much cheaper than BG, for the same product. Worth checking out.

Like everything else don't accept the first quote.

Same thing happened when we moved here kitty. An independent plumber put in boiler and radiators and fitted the bathroom including all the tiling for less than BG quoted for the heating system. The plumber also put the radiators where we wanted them, BG told us where they would go. To answer your question, no of course you aren’t being unreasonable.

That’s very expensive Kitty. We’ve just had a new boiler fitted for £ 1800 could you cancel and shop around ?

I think you find this with everything.
We had the same thing and our plumber undercut BG so we went with him. We didn't even go back to BG.
But I am shortly going to question the AA's quote for our next years home insurance as I am sure they will reduce it if I threaten to cancel.\
It is scandalous especially for the old and vulnerable.

BG are not alone in offering discounts at this late stage
Most retailers are exactly the same
Internet providers are the worst
I always ring up a month before my contract is due to end and ask them to cut me off when I am out of contract with them
I don't ask for discount
They ask why and I say its too expensive when I have a limited income
They always drop the price by at least 15%

I thought the same, Katyj, re the quote seeming expensive. Our Worcester Bosch fitted by British Gas cost £1600, which included the power flush and 5 year servicing. That’s about what Boxt are charging now (the Miranda Hart adverts). They seem to be undercutting everyone right now,

kittylester it seems to be a normal business activity, I have had these type of offers on all kinds of insurance, and even double glazing.

I much prefer the French system where a quote contains an itemised list of works and parts required, all priced up, with a labour price at the end.