Very disappointed in Hoover washer and dryer

BrandNewDay

Well, I was new in this country and we didn't do any research... I just thought that Hoover was a name I knew and could trust. Man, was I ever wrong.

In mid-February I bought a Hoover washer and condenser dryer from Comet.

The washer broke down in April or so. It was a month or six weeks to get fixed because the repair guy pretty much just did trial and error in replacing electrical components. He'd change one, and then leave and then it wouldn't work and so he'd come back and look at it again and then say he had to order another part... this was three parts and four visits before they finally just replaced the washer.

Then, I kid you not, with the FIRST LOAD I washed, the dryer started to crap out on me. Made reallllly LOUD squealing noise. To me, it sounded like a belt going bad, but the meter reader happened to come by and said, "Wow. Sounds like some bearings are stripped."

So, Comet sent the guy, again. The first time, he just poked at it and diagnosed the problem and, I guess, ordered parts. Meanwhile, luckily, I haven't needed to use the dryer. I'm line drying everything.

The man came back today and replaced two seals and the bearings. He told me that it was just the normal wear and tear of the machine and he sees it pretty often. It was nothing I was doing wrong. He said it will happen again. He said, "Well, you get what you pay for."

This was NOT the very cheapest machine. It was maybe £280 or so; this seemed pretty in line with prices in the States - not cheap, but nothing fancy. And it was a name I recognized.

We're two adults with one small boy. I do maybe one load a day, on average.

I'm sure Comet would say that I should have bought the extended warranty. (The manufacterer's warranty is one year.) But, it just seems to me that this is ridiculous.

Even if the problem hasn't really come back by next February, I am going to say that it has to make sure the seals and bearings are replaced again before the warranty expires. I predict the total demise of the dryer by Christmas 2008.

At that point, I will buy a Bosch. The repair man told me that he doesn't get a lot of calls for Bosch.

So, that's my lesson learned.

In the meantime, I want to write a letter to Hoover expressing my profound disappointment. An expensive appliance that wears out within a year is just pathetic. I guess I have no legal recourse and it's not like I expect Hoover to do anything about it.

I'll never buy another Hoover ANYTHING. Not even so much as a hand-held vaccuum cleaner.

ETA: a search of this forum lead me to this wonderful site:

http://www.washerhelp.com/

davsidipp

i had a hoover washing machine that lasted a little over a year you cant go by the old names any more i would not touch one with a barge pole now its best to get information of other people what machines they have had ive got a whirlpool now but its only 6 months old so i dont now how long it will last.

BrandNewDay

That web site I posted above is awesome. It's by a washing machine repair guy. (He doesn't cover dryers, just washers. But, still.) According to him, the manufacturers are just responding to consumer pressure to make a cheaper machine because consumers are naive and won't spring for quality. I suppose he's right. Part of my problem was I was coming from a country where that much money will actually buy you decent quality. Things are cheaper in America and I really only could see that we weren't buying the cheapest machine on Comet's floor, so I assumed this was a mid-priced washer.

If I can afford Meile, then that's what I'll get. They're supposed to be the ultimate best. Bosch has prices that are more reasonable, and I hear very good things about them. If I can't afford Meile, then I'm getting Bosch. I've since learned that spin speeds above 1200 aren't really worth the extra money (I line dry when possible) and so I can save by not paying for the 1600rpm models.

davsidipp

to true american goods seem to be made better i have an amana fridge freezer that is 5 years old no problems at all ive also not heard bad things about bosch but dont touch aeg i paid a fair amount for a washing machine that lasted two years and the brain side went on it the repairer said it was not worth repairing it. have you thought of the amana washing machines allders used to sell them but they have gone now maybe somewhere like house of frazer or john lewis.

aeuerby

Miele are fantastic. I have their dishwasher and vacuum cleaner. They aren't cheap but they do last. I've had the diswasher 4 years and never had a problem (touch wood)

I have a Bosch washing machine - couldn't afford miele. Again it is brilliant.

I tend to try and buy german brands for big stuff now as the quality and longevity seem spot on.

I had a servis washer that lasted 3 years. After 18 months the bearings went. 18 months later it leaked then wouldn't work again.

My first washer was a hoover washer/dryer. Never again!

oneday_3

i to have a hoover washer dryer which has never worked properly from the day i got it home. As a result i have been given a fifty percent refund and will be using this and some money of my own to purchase a miele. I hope i have better luck. I have had 3 machines in 9 years and i now want one that will last. And the one i buy wont be a washer dryer, i have had enough of those.

Lynne

:mad: :mad: :mad: