floor damaged by (indesit) washing machine technician

europa

Hi all

My washing machine was repaired by an Indesit technician, but he caused significant damage (scratches and dents) to my wooden floor in the process. I have contacted Indesit about this and the first letter i received back was to say they had spoken to the 'engineer' and he denied causing any damage so they were not liable. After my subsequent (angry) reply, they then requested photos, which i sent them. They have now responded saying "the engineer has advised that there seems to be deep scratches and had he caused the damage they would have been noticed immediately..." and again they are denying liability.

I have not yet replied to this, but my reply would simply be that the scratches are not easily visible in daylight and i myself did not even notice them till the evening when i switched the lights on.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how i should proceed? Should i continue to write them letters/emails or should i seek legal advice immediately?

Thanks!

neilmcl

Where is the wooden floor that's been damaged, is it in the Kitchen? If the engineer has caused the damage then you need to ask if their was any reasonable steps he could have taken to avoid this or in fact whether a wooden floor in a kitchen where there's heavy use is an appropriate place to have one fitted. Bear in mind it's quite reasonable to expect things to be dropped, heavy items such as white goods to be moved around, heavy traffic etc in a kitchen area.

It doesn't take a lot for a wooden floor to be scratched.

mikey72

neilmcl wrote: »

Where is the wodden floor that's been damaged, is it in the Kitchen? If the engineer has caused the damage then you need to ask if their was any reasonable steps he could have taken to avoid this or in fact whether a wooden floor in a kitchen where there's heavy use is an appropriate place to have one fitted. Bear in mind it's quite reasonable to expect things to be dropped, heavy items such as white goods to be moved around, heavy traffic etc in a kitchen area.

It doesn't take a lot for a wooden floor to be scratched.

I have carboard, carpet, and even hardboard I use when I pull out someones cooker fridge or washing machine etc.
I've never caused any damage yet, and it's reasonable to expect any wooden floor to be marked if you don't take any precautions.
The problem now is proving it was done by the engineer, as it could have been there before, or after if the customer decided to move the appliance later.

europa

Hi guys, thanks for your input. The wooden floor is in the kitchen, as the entire ground floor is open plan. The problem was that the technician had to remove the entire drum mechanism. He placed this on the floor and worked on it there. That is when he caused the damage. He could (and should) have taken appropriate care to avoid the damage. All that was necessary was to place sth like a piece of carpet under the drum whilst he worked on it.

The thing is, it is of course understandable that the technician would deny causing the damage. Who in their right mind is going to admit it?! However, i expect Indesit to investigate properly. After all they have public liability insurance that covers situations like these.

ps: unfortunately i cannot prove the damage was caused by this engineer.

McKneff

If you saw that he was working on this drum on your wooden floor, why didnt you give him a piece of carpet or dust sheet to use. Or even point out that something was needed.

Try buffing the scratches your wooden floor, it may well lessen the sight of them.

europa

McKneff wrote: »

If you saw that he was working on this drum on your wooden floor, why didnt you give him a piece of carpet or dust sheet to use. Or even point out that something was needed.

Try buffing the scratches your wooden floor, it may well lessen the sight of them.

a very valid point (which i wish i had thought of at the time). HOWEVER, i am not a washing machine technician and as such i did not realise how heavy the drum must have been. The repairers do this job every day. Surely they know what can happen?! As such, i believe it was his responsibility to take adequate care. As Mikey72 says, he does take precautions and has never caused any damage.

Esqui

If under warranty, may I also suggest contacting the retailer, as the technician would have been working on their behalf.

McKneff

You thought about it at the time and didnt do anything :eek:

You dont have to be a technician to realise that anything rubbing on the floor, light or heavy is going to mark/scratch it.

I wish you luck but i think you have to take some of the blame especially since you said you 'thought about it'

And, theres no need to shout. I'm not deaf.;)

neilmcl

Esqui wrote: »

If under warranty, may I also suggest contacting the retailer, as the technician would have been working on their behalf.

If the repair was organised via the warranty then the engineer will be working on behalf of the manufacturer.

europa

McKneff wrote: »

You thought about it at the time and didnt do anything :eek:

I wish you luck but i think you have to take some of the blame especially since you said you 'thought about it'

And, theres no need to shout. I'm not deaf.;)

if u re-read my post more carefully, you will notice i said "which i WISH i had thought of at the time".

also why is it that so many people these days naturally assume that capitals = shouting?

anyway, whilst i appreciate all replies, i know full-well who is to blame. the purpose of my thread is to understand what my rights are as a consumer and how i should proceed in respect to Indesit.

europa

neilmcl wrote: »

If the repair was organised via the warranty then the engineer will be working on behalf of the manufacturer.

yes, it was done under warranty (with D&G). i initially contacted D&G, who told me that Indesit is responsible and that the complaint should be sent to Indesit.