Hello... and welcome to the very first Government-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme.co.uk eNewsletter..!! Before we start, we'd just like to give you a little information on the server statistics for our first 30 day period. Yes I know to some of you it may be boring, but we're excited at how well the portal has been received - both by the webs largest search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing etc!) and of course - you guys, our site visitors.

Having worked extremely hard over the Christmas & New Year period, we were finally ready (& able) to "flick-the-switch" (go-live!) on the 5th of January 2010. Our first 30 day period ended on the 5th of February 2010 - with us having received an astounding 338,919 hits. This in itself is a massive achievement - especially when you consider that every-single visitor was referred by either a search engine - or by a previous visitor to the site. We do not have any paid links - anywhere on the web..!!

We did however have one little hiccup, whereby for a short period of time on the 14th of January, some visitors were unable to access the website. According to the engineers - this was due to some of the configuration settings on our server. We are hopeful (& have been assured) that it will not happen again, but due to modern technology - we are still keeping our fingers crossed..!! However, if you were one of the unlucky one's - we are extremely sorry & sincerely hope that you will accept our humble apology..?  

During the later part of 2009 when Alistair Darling spoke about the proposed Government Boiler Scrappage Scheme (due to be introduced in 2010), there wasn't that much information readily (publicly) available.

With lots of speculation in the press regarding the who, the what's and the when's, they (the press) were finally able to publish information, along with their views and comments on the scheme from the early part of January.

Here's what a few of them had to say...!!

• 6th Jan 2010 - The Times Online...
  British Gas fails to pass on the £400 boiler grants to customers.
  British Gas is profiting from the Government's boiler scrappage scheme by failing to pass on the full value of the grants. The company is refusing to offer its usual discounts to customers who apply for a £400 grant. Some homes could be better off ignoring the scheme and negotiating a discount with an installation company....
  
• 6th Jan 2010 - The Mirror...
  Thousands will get £400 for heating as boiler scheme launched.
  Buying a new boiler could save you money - plus help to save jobs and the environment. Thousands of homeowners will get £400 from the Government to replace their old and inefficient heating systems. Gordon Brown launched the initiative yesterday and said that it would safeguard jobs and cut fuel bills and carbon emissions....
  
• 9th January 2010 - The Telegraph...
  The £50m scheme which will benefit only people living in England.
  The scheme is likely to be funded entirely by the taxpayer. A treasury spokesman said "Households in England will be able to claim up to £400 if they replace an inefficient boiler - rated G or worse - with an energy-efficient one or with another renewable technology...."
  
• 20th January 2010 - Simply Business...
  How the Government Boiler Scrappage Scheme could help your business grow. The Government boiler scrappage scheme could provide a much-needed boost for registered gas fitters and plumbers. But it will, perhaps, also have the unintended consequence of increasing competition among them. As such, you will have to take steps to ensure that your business stands out....
  
• 29th January 2010 - The Guardian...
  Boiler Scrappage Scheme hit by delays.
  Thousands of householders who have applied for the Government boiler scrappage scheme are facing long delays for the vouchers needed to give their installers the go-ahead. It has received such an enthusiastic response from consumers that the Energy Saving Trust, the organisation that administers the scheme, has admitted it is battling to clear a huge backlog of applications....

Read More...

 Have you - or do you know anyone who has applied and received the £400 Government Boiler Scrappage Scheme payment..? If so, we would like to feature your story in our very next eNewsletter update..!!

If you would like to remain anonymous, we promise to only publish the information that you agree to. We would however (for our own records) require your full details. Obviously, we would prefer it if you would allow us to publish details of your experience during the whole process - from getting a quote (or quotes), right the way through to receiving your £400 cheque after returning your allocated voucher.

If you wish, we can use an alias, and we won't publish anything at-all, until it receives your 100% approval. If you would like to share your experience with others in our next eNewsletter, please drop us a line (or two?) via email. Our email & contact details can be found by clicking the Contact Us link to the right...

Contact Us...

With so many visitors coming to the Government-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme website, it appears that not-everyone has or even knows a gas fitter or plumber that can carry out the necessary installation or repairs to their central heating equipment.

For this reason, we have decided to introduce a new area to the Government-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme portal. Within this NEW area - there are opportunities for Registered installers to "blow-their-own-trumpet."

So, why would you as a gas fitter or plumber want to advertise with us..?

• We already get thousands of visitors coming to us,
• Our visitors will contact you directly - so there's no middle-man or cold-calling.
• We only allow ONE advertiser per geographic location.
• If you're not even in it - you're probably not going to win it..!! 
  
  
  

Interested..?
If so, you can view the very first company listing by clicking on the above image - or by clicking the text link below. If you need or wish to know more - please peruse the Advertisers pages on the Government-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme website, or by all-means Contact Us to discuss any opportunities that may still be available. 

John Nicholson - Plumbing & Heating

Well, that's it for now..!! Our very first (& my very first) eNewsletter - envelope licked, no stamp necessary - and PCposted direct to your inbox. I hope that you're all impressed with my efforts..? However, if any of you would like to comment - I will be pleased to receive them in the manner of which they are intended... (I think?)

Feedback is a great way to express your opinions - good or bad..!!
I'm happy to learn by my mistakes, and even to consider your suggestions for future eNewsletter's or even subjects for inclusion on the Government-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme.co.uk web portal. (although, appropriate one's only please!) 

Feel free to reply via the His-Nibs link attached to your personal eNewsletter email.