Recurring Fault With Servis M6804W Washing Machine, No Help From D&G, Advice Please?

LouLou

I have a Servis M6804W washing machine, which I originally posted on here about, funnily enough! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/565946 It's over 3 years old, from bargaincrazy.com.

Within 12 months, it had a fault with the LCD, and the engineer said something about it being a common electrical fault. In fact, browsing the internet, it seems this is a recurring one with this model.

2 and a bit years later, it's dead again.

So, I phone the number on my machine, but unbeknown to me, they went into administration a while back; and Domestic And General deal with enquiries.

Or should that be, D&G give you no help at all and try to peddle one of their insurance policies via Direct Debit! :mad: The man even answered the phone, "Hello, Servis"!!

I said I had a recurring fault with my machine, I'm single and don't use it a lot, could he help? Bottom line was, either buy the policy, or get a local repairman to look at it. He wasn't interested.

This article helped a little: http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/wordpress/servis-uk-gone-into-liquidation-how-do-you-get-your-appliance-repaired-under-guarantee/ My machine has the "free" 5 years parts warranty they discuss.

And it seems I may have a claim with the retailer under the EU 2 year guarantee/UK Sale Of Goods Act, which takes into consideration reasonable wear and tear/price paid.

Would it be worth pursuing with bargain crazy? It's either that or buying a new machine, as I don't feel it's worth my while putting money into an unreliable product.

And I have a huge pile of washing too..

Esqui

The retailer is the person you'll want to be looking at for this. On experience, the 5 year parts warranties many white goods manufacturers give are a waste of paper once you factor in the call-out and labour charges.

That said, if you only paid a couple of hundred quid for it, it might be worth cutting your losses and getting a new machine.

LouLou

That's pretty much how I feel, I suppose it's down to Bargain Crazy and what their verdict is. Sending an email with proof of purchase and the story behind it, and crossing my fingers.

Thanks for the speedy reply, I appreciate it!

LouLou

Bargain Crazy had a reply in my Inbox this morning, nice quick reply. They want a "manufacturer's report" which I suspected at first may be a cop-out as there's no manufacturer!

(Even though Domestic And General answer the phone as "Servis", when you ask any manufacturer's questions they say they can't help).

However, the woman who answered said I can have the verdict of a local engineer as proof. So hopefully that will bring progress of some sort.

Esqui

It doesn't have to be a manufacturer's report. Any independent report will do. But so far, it's good to see that Bargain Crazy not only responded quickly, but actually seem to have a grasp of their responsibilities. I think this could work out rather well for you.

LouLou

I phoned up a very well known and respected engineer in my city earlier.

Apparently this machine uses two LCDs, one is obsolete (!) and the other costs £135..the supplier of Servis parts is charging stupidly high prices apparently.

Obviously I need to determine which part is needed, and if a repair can be done. The engineer report from this company would be £55 (the owner of Washerhelp Forums suggested that the engineer report costs can be recovered).

As Bargain Crazy sent a rather brief reply asking for an engineer report, I'm unsure if that means it's a requirement or if I have to wait for a decision.

Beginning to think it's not worth pursuing if it means throwing money away for nothing. Might be a Siemens with a 5 year warranty to ease my washing woes! (This time it'd be a parts, labour and call-out one).

zorber

Servis were a terrible brand the number of returns they had were stupidly high. absolute crap.

The issue you may well have is you get an engineers report and they agree to a resolution. They dont have to fix it but can offer you a cash payout. after 3 years they could say that your machine is worthless and give you £30 as compensation, so you could end up out of pocket if they wont refund the engineers fees. Also you would need to proove that the machine was inherantly faulty or not durable. Tough one.

LouLou

Seems I bought an utter donkey A lesson to thoroughly research before hitting the Buy button.

I'll try phoning Bargain Crazy again and letting them know about the engineers' opinion, and where it leaves me. You're right though, it does look as though I'm better junking the thing and starting again.

Washing pile like the EU butter mountain! :eek: I'm pleasantly surprised that they were positive in their reply though, so kudos to them for being understanding.

PS: I know the internet is full of hearsay and inaccuracies, but I read of an engineer stating that 90% of every Servis repair he encountered were electrical faults. http://www.reviewcentre.com/review596821.html

LouLou

Phoned Bargain Crazy again. I explained that it seems it's not going to be worth their while getting the machine repaired (with parts being obsolete/crazy expensive), and asked what I should do.

They were very helpful. I was told that they refund the costs of the Engineer Report and will pay a partial refund of the faulty washer. I didn't realise they did that! So, although it's a minor pain I get some comeback.

I'm quite astonished, but in a nice way! :j