Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Monk Group door-to-door
Just wondering how many other people have been bothered by Monk Group would-be insulators during the snowy weather in the last few days. We've had them twice (two different young men guided by the same female supervisor). They refer to a 'free grant' from your gas company (I've checked the gvnmt grants before - we don't qualify).
It's odd that a company with IDs etc appear to have no internet presence (there's a Monk Group registered at Company's House, but it is dissolved and appears to have no relation). There's one blog post from a Midlands retiree and that's it:
http://www.bill-hyde.com/mawddach_dreams/recommended-by-me/98-yes-i...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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Yes I was bothered by them the other day. I must admit I wasn't very polite to them. I'm a bit fed up of these 'companies' saying everybody can get government grants when they can't. I'm not even sure what grant they refer to. Warm Front finished on Jan 19th and grants from gas companies are usually for people who are on v low incomes.
Anyone who is interested in this btw should check that old standby Money Saving Expert who have lots of useful info.
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Permalink Reply by linka on
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My politeness was tested. When I turned them away the second time, I was a bit annoyed by the scripted passive aggressive reply of 'you don't want it done then' (ie insulation). No, I do, but I'm not going to commission it on the doorstep from what seems to be, as you point out, a non-scheme!
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Permalink Reply by abstractjuz on
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Just to clarify - British Gas do (did?) have a scheme where homes could have their front/back cavity walls and/or their loft/roof space insulated for free if they passed certain architectural/building criteria.
We didn't have to pass any financial criteria other than confirming we owned the home.
The installers were all from British Gas, it went very smoothly and we didn't pay a penny.
I always assumed these cold callers might have been making some sort of commission on that deal or one like it.
I can drag out the details for the deal via British Gas if anyone's interested.
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From British Gas:
"Eligibility is based on:
Where you live - some postcode areas are eligible for free insulation. [our postcode does not qualify]
OR
If someone in your household is in receipt of income related benefits."
And crucially:
"If you don't qualify but know someone you think would , then with share the warmth, you and your friend could earn £50 each when they install insulation through British Gas.... there is no limit on the number of people you can refer."
(the scheme is limited to referrals of those on particular benefits)
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Permalink Reply by Abi on
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Lol. I totally read this as 'monk going door-to-door', and wondered if it was yet another religious group seeking followers on doorsteps. After yesterday's Jehovas seeking French speakers it wouldn't have surprised me at all...
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yes, cross-posted with you Anne. It looks like all they need to do is get you to complete a form with your 'permission', send it off (perhaps in an anonymous-looking envelope) and they would obtain the £50, if you qualify. It's weird that BG run such a scheme, as it seems to encourage this kind of parasitic operation.
"The applicant must supply the referrer's contact details to British Gas in order for both applicant and referrer to receive payment. The applicant confirms that he/she has the referrer's consent to do this. British Gas offer can only accept applications from the applicant and not the referrer. A cheque for £50 will be sent to applicant and referrer within 30 days of completion of the insulation installation."
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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Are you sure you did not miss hear and they are the Mark Group? http://www.markgroup.co.uk/
I have also had lots of people knocking on the door asking about insulation. I normally just say a polite thanks, but no and off they pop. A few weeks ago I actually stopped one and called him back as I thought on that I might need some insulation work doing. I asked him what the story was and he mentioned that 'because we are in a high heat loss area [as we probably are givent the amount of poor housing stock, landlords and possibly eldely folks] this is a priority area' and 'it will not cost me anything'. I did not spend too much time on it there and then as it was cold and late.
So, now I am about ready to do the insulation work and hopefully one of the Mark Group surveyors will be back round when I give him the nod soon. I will try to work out who exactly is paying for it, as I was aware of the Warm Front Scheme coming to an end (in fact I called on Friday last week to check to see if this was an issue and I was told no). I believe that the funding may well come from the Government driven scheme linked to tthe Carbon Reduction Commitment (the old Energy Efficient Commitments, though the name may have changed again...)- that are forced upon energy suppliers to finance energy efficiency. A lot of utilites will offer cheap or low cost energy efficieny measures like light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. I think this may be the money behind it.
When I get him back I will report back as to whehter it is all snake oil or genuine. I have to say there may be a bit of a ring of truth about it though.
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Oh. Ok... As I said, I will let you know if these guys are straight up or not. Lets see.
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Hmm, though looking at the font, I'm now questioning my memory. Please do report back on a full discussion.
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Hmmm:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4402955
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4234663
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3951943
It may be these guys. Mixed reviews.
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The most up to date info from the Citizen's Advice Bureau is here . There's also useful advice on how to buy energy efficient products including those on the doorstep here
I think the CERT scheme which has closed in England, Wales and Scotland was the one these firms used to refer to. Under that scheme, energy firms all offered free or discounted insulation for home owners and private tenants. Firms would do the work and try and get the discount/grant for you, although I think there were horror stories of bad firms doing the work before checking eligibility and leaving people stuck with bills for 'free' insulation.
There are new schemes opening but these door-door companies never talk about specific schemes but just say vague stuff about government grants. Always makes me suspicious especially when I question them about which grant they think I can get and they can't name it. Maybe afraid I'll google it and do it myself?
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