Washing machine breaking down out of warranty

family6

I bought a zanussi washing machine from Tesco direct sept 08. It is still just about useable but on its way out - my oh says it sounds like the bearings ( incidently bearings have never gone on previous washing machines, even old ones, with replaced pumps etc)

Zanussi warranty was for 1 year.

Tesco direct site says 1 year for faulty electrical returns. Under 18 months for a washing machine seems ridiculous to me. I havent rung tesco yet as I wanted advice hear first about my rights please.

If I recall I'm sure a gentleman took on Tesco re returning a tv/electrical goods? over the year and won claiming reasonable expectation of time for product. Is that right? Hope not go that far!

Thanks
K

neilmcl

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 you can expect an item to be durable, ie, last a reasonable period of time. Although, a specific period isn't defined, it would be reasonable to expect a washing machine, with average usage, to last at least 4-5 years. Your remedy could either be repair, replacement or partial refund and you should seek this from the retailer as they are the ones you had a contract with.

Bear in mind, as the machine is over 6 months old the burden of proof lies with you to show that the problem is down to an inherent manufacturing fault.

Have a read of this: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html

family6

Thank you for the link neilmcl

I have phoned Tesco direct and they've just given me the usual stuff about 1 yr warranty only. I told them actually we are entitled to 2 years (eu directive) and I woud be back in contact.

Any advice on where to go from here please. I am not very assertive on the phone and would prefer contact to be in writing.
The machine is useable at the moment just makes horrendous noises on spinning. I cannot go without a washing machine for very long (4 kids here) and launderette would be very impractical. Is there anyway I could go ahead and get it repaired myself and claim it back rather than waiting indefinitely arguing with Tesco

btw found details re tesco & peter ward case, interesting and he won, but not really much help on what to do (sorry it wont let me post the link as new user)

neilmcl

family6 wrote: »

I have phoned Tesco direct and they've just given me the usual stuff about 1 yr warranty only. I told them actually we are entitled to 2 years (eu directive) and I woud be back in contact.

Well there's your mistake right there. I gave you some useful advice and a link regarding the SOGA and you starting quoting the much misunderstood, and frankly irrelevent EU 2 year directive, no wonder Tesco didn't take you seriously. I would contact them again but this time quote the relevant legislation (ie, SOGA), demand you want a repair/replacement as the washing machine is not "of satisfactory quality". They may ask you to prove this, in which case you will need to pay for an engineers report but you should be entitled to this refunded if the fault is proven.

If they do play ball and decide to offer a repair, given your circumstances I would make sure they do so promptly, if you believe it's going to cause you a significant inconvenience, say take longer than 2-3 weeks, then you'd be well within your rights to demand a suitable replacement.

family6

As I said I'm not good on the phone, I didnt actually mention the eu directive just asked if that is all they would do (that is give me zanussi tel number) and that entitled to 2years (for a reason to) be back in conact

I will see if I can get email address to contact them re your suggestion

neilmcl

family6 wrote: »

As I said I'm not good on the phone, I didnt actually mention the eu directive just asked if that is all they would do (that is give me zanussi tel number) and that entitled to 2years (for a reason to) be back in conact

I will see if I can get email address to contact them re your suggestion

If you can't do this over the phone then it would be better to write a letter and send it recorded rather than email. Email has a habit of going "missing". Actually, do both!

Tesco Customer Service
PO Box 73
Baird Avenue
Dryburgh Industrial Estate
Dundee
DD1 9NF