Am I entitled to any compensation?

recovering_spendaholic

A month ago I bought a new integrated Hotpoint washing machine from 24electric.com. It was delivered three weeks ago by Hotpoint and installed. I used it once and then it broke. The cycle is stuck on button C and I can't open the door and so have had washing trapped since 21st November. I phoned Hotpoint and they said that the earliest they could get an engineer to me was yesterday. He came and said that he couldn't fix it because the main programme board was broken so he would have to order me a new one, which would come next week and he would come on Thursday 21st December to fit it. This means that I have had to use the launderette to do my washing and I have alot of washing with the kids, so I have been taking three large black bin bags of washing each week for the last three weeks. Each time I go it costs £24 (not including the cost of washing powder), so I have paid £72 so far and will have to pay another £24 when I go tomorrow. Should I be entitled to any compensation from Hotpoint? I am furious about it!

Andy_L

Possibly
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/your-rights/fs_c04.shtml

tawnyowls

Why are you allowing a repair? You should have contacted the retailer, not the manufacturer (your contract is with the retailer and that should always be your first contact) - had you done so, the likelihood is that the manufacturer's warranty gives you a choice of repair or replacement, and the retailer would probably have found it easier to just give you the replacement. You've paid for a brand-new, in working order machine - why should you put up with one that's only a repair job and might break down again in the future (and possibly have the warranty invalidated by that repair)? If I were you, I'd check your warranty, ring up Hotpoint, and say that on thinking it over, you'd prefer a replacement. Unfortunately, not you've accepted the repair, they might hold you to it, but you can always try.

yummymummy79

Compensation is usually something that is claimed against the retailer rather than the manufacturer as consequential loss when you are dealing with the faulty product.

You could certainly try to get something from the manufacturer with the argument that their service was rubbish by taking so long, but again you will be bound by the T&Cs of the warranty regarding timescales, repair vs replacement etc.