Servis Washing Machine special offer at Powerhouse - cheap, not so cheerful!

Ed_Stirling

:mad: Italian manufacturer, Servis, and phoenix company Powerhouse have got together to offer a sub-£200 Servis washing machine.

Avoid like the plague... Quality is poor, back-up poor and attitude towards the customer borders on contempt.

Bought a Servis washing machine at Powerhouse (before they went into administration, leaving customers in lurch!). It packed in after just 60 washes, but out of guarantee. Not only had the motor gone but the electronic circuit board too... cost to repair, in excess of £250 (more than the cost of the machine!!!)...

Asked for help from Servis, even submitted an independent Engineer's Report that stated that the problem was a manufacturing one. Servis were not interested in helping or resolving the problem. It seems from the MD (who couldn't be bothered getting involved [a cultural issue?]), through to the Quality Dept. (who poured scorn/chose to ignore on the Engineers report - someone who actually looked at the machine!) to Customer Services...

A quote from a Servis reply: "... parts that have failed are 'wearable parts' and the problem is not a manufacturing fault. These parts are replaceable." [After 60 washes, really?]

Amazingly, they seemed to be unembarrassed about the extortionate cost of replacement parts...

If considering a new washer, do yourselves a favour, avoid Servis products! Look around. Pay a little extra and go for better quality and reliability.

alared

OK you got a bad one but ours is still going strong after 12 years
How`s that for SERVIS

Altarf

Ed_Stirling wrote:

Italian manufacturer, Servis

A lot of people don't realise how most white goods are produced by only two manufacturers. Merloni now own Servis, Indesit, Hotpoint and Ariston and Electrolux own AEG, Zanussi, Parkinson Cowan and Tricity Bendix.

Ellie2758

My original Servis was excellent, lasted for years. The follow-up lasted about 3 weeks. Moral: fings aint wot they used to be.:D

Ellie

Catch_A_Fire

You could contact servis again with the engineers report quoting the sale of goods act, stating that goods should last a reasonable length of time. technically i don't think the sale of goods act is actually enforceable in this instance as your contract was with powerhouse and not the manufacturer, but it's worth a try. Alternatively if you purchased it with a credit (not debit) card you are covered through the issuer as the sale was more than £100. when writing make sure you stick to the point and address it straight and seriously and tell them what you expect them to do about it - you want it repairing at your convenience and their expense! Servis are your first option, but if that fails, the credit card issuer (if applicable) is jointly liable

Ed_Stirling

Tried that... Servis got a threatening letter and engineer's report, but choose to bury their heads in the sand about quality...

Northampton based credit card company too have been a bit of let down stating: "the need to provide documentary evidence as proof that... a breach of contract has taken place."

From a defunct organisation (old Powerhouse)... how? Ignoring the engineer's report that was provided!

libitina_2

We bought an Ariston washing machine from Currys in Jan 2004, so less than 2 years ago. Local engineer came out today to say that the bearings had gone and too expensive to repair. Went back to Currys with the sale of goods act where the manager ( :mad: ) told us that it was upto Ariston to sort out as it was over 12 months ago it was bought so our contract was no longer with Currys. He said the MOST Ariston would do is to replace it with a refurb as ours is 22 months old, or give a partial refund (maybe upto £100 when the machine cost £250) due to 'wear and tear'.
Got an authorised engineer coming out next week to do an inspection and report.
Is what the manager told us correct? Surely I'm entitled to a FULL refund or a replacement upto the same value?

Any advice gratefully received.