howdens "lamona" appliances question - any good?

gmarchy

just reading this thread makes me a little concerned, not about the actual kitchen but the appliances.
However, because of a separate utility, we have only gone for under counter fridge, d/w and a cooker/microwave unit so in general, not that much of an outlay, as d/w was free as part of this months offer... if they only last 3/4 years then so be it, most appliances seem flimsy these days anyway!
hopefully the fitting in next couple of weeks will go smoothly!

adamg

Nothing is free, id still shop around get Hotpoint appliances for same price as lamona

Jerboam96

Thought I should add a note about Lamona mixer taps in particular Chrome Hi-Tech Monobloc. After 3 years light usage the delivery pipe cracked just above seals to repair had to buy complete unit £60. Just hope replacement lasts longer. The first time I have ever had to make this sort of repair.

seahorse22

:mad::mad::mad:All I can go by is my own experience, and my experience is that I would NEVER purchase this brand again.
My ceramic hob is only a few months old, but the rings cut off when they reach a certain temperature - normally i'd think 'well, that's good, isn't it?' Not if you're trying to boil pasta or make jam, it isn't! It is incapable of reaching and maintaining a rolling boil.
So I called the engineers as it was still under guarantee.

When I booked the call out I was asked if there were any parking restrictions where I live. I told them the wardens were everywhere and the engineer would have to find a metered space. He was due here today and arrived in the area, but rang me to say he couldn't find a meter close enough so he'd have to cancel his visit.

Apparently 'health and safety' prevented him from carrying his equipment from a parking space to my flat! God forbid they should ever use a little trolley or something like that - because that would be far too logical. (Makes me wonder how I,as an elderly lady, manage to get my shopping from the bus stop to my house!).

When I rang the repair centre (I knew it was a bad idea. . .) the telephonist said 'oh yes, they have to be able to park right outside. They can't leave their van and bring everything to each job'. Was I hearing this right?? 'But you know from my address I live in central London, and I told you he'd have to park a few street away.' I got the usual sorry for any inconvenience, when shall we rebook etc, etc. If they think I'm taking another day off work, they're wrong. It'd be cheaper to buy a new hob.
'
And what's more I sucessfully made the raspberry jam at my sisters house last weekend, on a ceramic hob made by Zanussi, which incidently, cost less than HALF THE PRICE of this awful lamona hob - and has far more features!

My advice is DON'T BUY LAMONA PRODUCTS or you'll find you become a moaner (groan):mad::mad::mad:

phoenix7_2

I have just purchased a Lamona touch control hob. I am very pleased with it's functions but... and this is a very big but! I have only used it for a few weeks and already the white 'paint' marking the rings is coming off. Now, before you say exactly what Howden's head office said, quote: it's how I clean it: unquote. I would like to point out I have used a ceramic hob for too many years to remember. I have never had this trouble before. To clean I just use HG Hob cleaner and a soft cloth. However, Howdens head office did not ask how I cleaned it they just accused me. I was furious. What now happens when the white markings of the controls peel off? I won't know what or where I am pressing. Surely this amounts to a safety issue. I have to say the staff at Skipton branch are amazing and I have no quibbles with them whatsoever and maybe head office could taker a leaf out of their customer service book.

adamg

phoenix7 wrote: »

To clean I just use HG Hob cleaner and a soft cloth.

read the instructions and you will see you have invalidated your guarantee by using something other then warm soapy water.

phoenix7_2

the instructions state that to use warm soapy water or a scraper if stains are tough. If I can use a scraper (which I haven't) how come the white marking comes off with just a wet cloth and a specifically designed cleaner??
I have had a cceramic hob for as long as they have been around and this is the first time I have had any trouble. On doing more research I note that the hobs I have had in the past have the glass made by Schlott and their trademark is always on the glass. Howdens local branch have agreed to exchange this lamona hob for a bosch (I pay difference) which has the Schlott glass. I think Lamona use inferior grade glass and that is where the problem lies. I spoke to Bosch about the cleaning and they say to use a ceramic hob cleaner, obviously plugging their own brand. I think the warm soapy water instructions f rom howdens is simply a let out for them when you complain about the difficulty in getting the glass to look clean. I can't wait to get mine exchanged. I will say the lamona Tall larder fridge & lamona dishwasher are excellent.

Johnbeeh

:(If considering kitchen appliances, I would not touch Lamona again. Poor quality and when the breakdowns occur (as they will), their engineers will confirm an appointment with you twice via text and 'phone message and then cancel on the day you have taken a holiday to await the repair...........
They cannot give a "window" for the repair so it will mean a full days' lost pay or a holiday wasted. DO NO EVEN CONSIDER LAMONA APPLIANCES!!:(

Piedra

My father has an integrated Lamona Washing Machine (HJA 8514). Recently his on/off button broke.

We rang up and ordered an expensive replacement part (it is out of warranty) and they sent a completely different part. :mad:

Rang them up again and, after a couple of attempts, they realised their mistake and sent a part that looked the same on first inspection but the terminals are different. :mad:

In my frustration I called the service department only to be told by a sales assistant :Athat it was the correct part and he would send me a diagram. I could not get through to him that a square peg would not fit a round hole no matter how many diagrams he sent. :huh:

He finally admitted that they had changed the part specifications and that it was a different size. :starmod::starmod::starmod::starmod::starmod:
He suggested, like above, calling an engineer at an additional cost. This would mean spending in excess of £200 on a Washing machine which is not worth half that. :embarasse However, I did manage to cannibalise a work round :idea: using some old parts and some new ones.

Having fitted Howdens kitchen on a number of occasions I've always gone for the in house appliances. What an error that is turning out to be. I think from now on I'll be advising people to use good quality machines. More cost effective in the long run! And less hassle!!!! :coffee:

adamg

20% two year failure rate