Possible gas scam?

We have just moved into Quesada, and last week a guy turned up at the house saying he was from RESTAGAS and needed to check the gas supply in order to issue a safety certificate. We let him in and, after looking at the gas supply (only gas we use if for the gas hob on the oven) he told us the piping was unsafe, in fact dangerous and needed to be replaced with metal pipes. He said it would be about 300 Euros for the job, and not to use the oven until it had been made safe.

I've looked up Restagas on line, and it appears they have permanently ceased trading, and there was a scam involving them in the Quesada area about seven years ago.Does anyone out there know if this guy was a potential scammer, or has anyone else had the same experience? As much as we love eating out in the area, it would be nice to be able to have the option to cook and eat in our own home!

there are lots of scams concerning gas men..... be careful..

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it's a scam. It is not illegal because you allowed them in and they can charge what they like. If you accept the charge the police won't do anything except tut.

The real gas inspectors, Repsol or whoever, will not turn up at your house without making an appointment first. Fixed gas appliances, like cookers and water heaters, should be inspected every 5 years.
Portable appliances like barbecues and gas fires, don't need inspecting but you should check the pipes and fittings regularly, especially if they are outdoors.

Anyone turns up without an appointment just tell them you are all electric.

Thanks for confirming my suspicion! The issue - he said - is a rubber pipe going from the gas bottle through a wall to the gas job. He said that the section through the wall and to the hob should be metal, connected to the rubber hose from the bottle. I’ve no idea whether he’s spinning me a line and it’s actually safe to use! Gonna get some more advice methinks!

100% scam in my opinion, but the advice he have you is sound.
If you have a gas pipe going through a wall it should be metal, and should run through a slightly larger diameter pipe to give it some protection.
If it’s for bottled gas then the larger diameter pipe should be secured into the wall with mastic at each end. This is so that if the inner pipe does leak for any reason, the gas (which is heavier than air in the case of bottled gas) doesn’t seep down into the brickwork.

Get a qualified gas fitter to fix this for you at a fraction of the cost you were quoted. Get him to service you gas appliances and issue a safety certificate at the same time, so that you’re covered from an insurance point of view.

Pete.

Pete.

Thanks Pete. It does sort of make sense when I think about it, just wonder how it’s “passed” in previous years; unless of course it hasn’t been checked!

It's left to the Individual to get Gas Appliances checked. The problem is you accept how an Appliance is fitted when you aren't knowledgeable. When properties are sold they should have Gas Safety Certs. as well as all the other ones needed these days. Needless to say I'm not a fan of Bottled Gas.

If he comes back tell him to do one!

One of my friends just been taken in by these bar*****s to the tune of 475 euros just for an inspection
REPSOL, the authorised company charge 70 euros tops for this and only come by appointment

DO NOT LET THEM IN THEY ARE CHARLETONS preying on the elderely and vulnerable. My lady is 88 years old and while she is sharp as a button, these sods are so official and plausible she fell for it

Tell them you will just call your repsol representative and they will disappear