Service companies: See what their customers say
July 01st 2008 BCAS'Trusted Trader Scheme aims to give customers the ability to look and see what
other customers think about a particular compressed air service company and how it
rates against others in the local area, writes Chris Dee, executive director,BCAS
Your compressed air system breaks down
and you need somebody to fix it fast! So,
you open Yellow Pages, or as more and
more people are doing, you go online to
search for someone who can help. That is when your
problems begin, you are faced with a barrage of
choice but with no compelling reason to choose one
over another other than by the look of their advert or
website.
Wouldn't it be nice if every advert said, "Use us because
we always turn up and only charge the price originally
quoted", or, "Do not use us because we never turn up
when we say we will, we will always overcharge and we
will not use original parts when you are not looking!" Of
course, that is not to say that all companies are like that
but the abiding question is, which are reliable and which
are not?
So how, in these testing times, should you choose the
reliable company? Chris Dee, executive director of the
British Compressed Air Society, insists you should ask
directly about their qualifications and how they will
service your system. He advises contacting others you
trade with, where their compressed air system has been
maintained by a company and asking if they were any
good. He recommends the Trusted Trader Scheme run
by Referenceline for unbiased feedback
www.referenceline.com/bcas. "Whether you are in the
country or city, you can't beat competent and capable
local knowledge. Lastly, don't necessarily go for the
cheapest company – like most things in life you tend to
get what you pay for."
How to choose the right compressed air service
provider
Make sure they are competent by being a member of
a professional body or industry Trade Association,
such as the BCAS, www.bcas.org.uk
Ask them how they will service your system and how
quickly they will get it working.
Check they will use original specification parts. The
more reputable service engineers generally do.
Be wary of companies offering low rates, as chances
are you will get what you pay for.
Choose someone who has a proven record of
servicing similar systems in your area and is active in
the local market. There is no point instructing an
engineer who mainly deals with large complex
compressed air systems if you have a small typical
compressor installation.
Try to compare three companies to quote for
servicing your compressed air system. Many will try to
tie you into an exclusive contract. Negotiate the
minimum time possible, so that if you are not happy
with them, you can change.
A Trusted Trader scheme such as the one run by
Referenceline helps you make a more informed choice
when looking for a firm. Go to www.referencline.com
and click on the Compressed Air tab for reputable
compressed air service companies across the UK.
It's just like word of mouth:
Don't take our word for it.
Don't take their word for it.
See what their customers say. More articles from British Compressed Air Society (BCAS): | 
