Hotpoint 5 Yr Parts - What a Con!

Dellbert2010

I rang Hotpoint this evening to register our new washer; they tried the normal extended warranty scam, to extend the original 1 year to 3, for £8 per month.
I said I wasn’t interested as the machine came with 5 years parts and 2 years warranty.
The lady in the call centre said that the free parts were only available if I took out the extended warranty or paid over £100 call out and repair fee. I asked the lady how long should I expect this washer to last, she said well we don’t build them to last 20 years anymore.
I was persuaded to buy this machine because of the 5 years parts and the two years warranty, the big read sticker on the front of the machine doesn’t say anywhere that you have to pay call out fees etc. Looking at how much it will cost if it goes wrong I would have been better off getting a cheap and cheerful machine and expect to replace it after a couple of years.
I have requested a copy of all the terms and conditions; I will be sending theses along with my big red sticker to trading standards, to see if this is false advertising.

Esqui

Dellbert2010 wrote: »

the big read sticker on the front of the machine doesn’t say anywhere that you have to pay call out fees etc.

No, but it does say 'terms and conditions apply'

deanos

Yep, it is in the t+c's

Free Five Year Parts Guarantee
All functional parts are guaranteed for five years. We only ask that these are fitted by our engineers. During the first year, our engineer's time and labour are free. The guarantee does not include items which are consumable such as filters and light bulbs or parts that are cosmetic.

http://www.hotpoint.co.uk/hotpoint/utilities/product_guarantee_popup.jsp

Zandoni

You have to scrutinise every offer that you see, the manufacturers and shops do the very best they can to deceive you into buying their products.

I had words with Hotpoint a while ago over this deception, at that time it cost exactly the same amount to have a product repaired whether it had the 5 year parts guarantee or not.

They get away with it because there are far too many people who accept this deception and just say things like 'it's in the T&C's'

deanos

Well it is in the T+C's so not there fault if you don't read them is it ??

Payless_2

deanos wrote: »

Well it is in the T+C's so not there fault if you don't read them is it ??

But when you're in the shop comparing products it is not always possible to read the t and cs. They are usually in the book that comes with your new machine but only after you've paid for it.

deanos

Not hard to ask to look at the book is it ?

Esqui

I am led to believe that it is your right to request a copy of the manufacturers warranty before purchase, and the shop must promptly supply it

zorber

We had this in one of our shops, a customer complain, we investigated and we also contacted trading standards our selves to find out the position. Trading standard were aware of the offer and have been for several years and actually though the manufacture is sailing close to the wind the were doing nothing wrong.

We then issued an instruction to all our stores to remove these stickers off all our machines as we refused to advertise and sell the machines with these stickers on as we didnt like what i discribe as sharp practice.

Zandoni

deanos wrote: »

Well it is in the T+C's so not there fault if you don't read them is it ??

It's people like you that allow companies to deceive people.

bribri_2

Aside from the possible dubious practice, what is the loss to the OP.

Assuming the OP can't fit the parts themselves, they would still have to pay someone money. The last plumber I had out for something was £60 per half hour and that was the pick of the bunch.