Aqualisa digital showers: basic advice needed

tired_dad

V useful. I'm going to look at the MIRA platinum offering.

Thanks all for the advice.

ListysDad

I know not who you are or your position within Aqualisa so, unless it's your business, don't take the following personally. BTW it's not meant to be rude either - just trying to cover all bases!!!

There could have been no bigger advocate for Aqualisa Digital showering than me over the past 6 years. When the Quartz Digital came out it was innovative, well constructed, well supported relatively good VFM and and blew the competition away. As you've already read I've specified and fitted more than I can count including in my own home. But NOT any more.

I know not what has changed down there in sunny Kent, but the impact on the likes of me has been massive. No one wants to listen to installer feedback, prices are too high for the current offering - as it hasn't fundamentally changed - and please do not get me started on so called support (not the guys at all just the 'system').

I completely stand by my posts and your post does nothing to actually answer the real issues raised. You go on about the driver for change being the boom in multi outlet showers but in the same breath talk about economy! That for me sums up the Aqualisa position today - you have no direction. You used to take pride in having the best flow rates through excellent engineering. Today you have lost both of those mantles and followed like sheep the accountant driven 'cost engineering' route.

Mira have listened. They nod to the green brigade but also realise that the real/actual shower experience for the customer is what counts not marketing BS.

A, I really could go on and most would be pretty objective and experiential. I've not always been a designer/installer as I spent many years as a Management Consultant in Customer Services. I understand MY customers, I listen to them and more importantly ACT upon their wishes. That's why I am candid and honest with people who ask questions here (no matter how daft sounding:-!)

IF you genuinely wish to understand why people like me have been driven to this point (and by the way I am not alone if your numbers are anything to go by) then PM me and I'll be happy to have an objective off line discussion so you guys can learn.

Good luck.

BTW
Much as your wiring spec is a PIA and adds cost, i DO AGREE it is much better than wireless generally. Unfortunately wiring is only a tiny part of the reason to purchase.

keystone

aqualisa wrote: »

but as stated in the installation instructions, the plastic pipe inserts must be fitted.

Just for clarification this gives the impression that inserts are needed only when Aqualisa showers are being fitted. Of course its a universal requirement with plastic pipe as you will know. I really wouldn't want someone reading this to install a brand X (not yours) shower and not use inserts because brand X's instructions don't specifically say so. Would it not be beter if the installations instructions to be more general and just say plastic pipe may be used but must be installed iaw it's mnufacturers instructions.

Sorry if that appears picky and it will to some. Apart from that am interested in how this discussion with LD develops so am going to take my sticky beak back out of the thread now.

Cheers

ListysDad

KS
Yet another thoughtful contribution old bean. Ever thought of product management or installation instructions writing...

Just to keep people aware, there are some off-line comms between Aqualisa and I.

LD

Ruski

ListysDad wrote: »

KS
Yet another thoughtful contribution old bean. Ever thought of product management or installation instructions writing...

Just to keep people aware, there are some off-line comms between Aqualisa and I.

LD

LD - have you managed to weedle out of A what the flow rates were/are now? That's all mu customers are interested in!!

Russ

ListysDad

Russ.

Rather than waste my time bashing my head against a brick wall (hell I do that most days...) I've asked A to give me a compelling reason for my making the effort. At the end of the day I genuinely want to see their products improved but the last thing I want to do is spend time talking when no sod listens!

If you or your customers have any other comments or experiences I'll gladly pass them on. Just PM me.

David

Canucklehead

Ruski wrote: »

LD - have you managed to weedle out of A what the flow rates were/are now? That's all mu customers are interested in!!

Russ

Hi: see the Technical Q&A. Mira Platinum specs here. We'll keep recommending and installing Aqualisa Digital (and other) products as we have not had the same experiences or have the same issues as other posters. We try to promote more efficient use of water resources to our customers as well as the requirements of Part G and Water Regs.

Canucklehead

ListysDad

C Head - a pat on the back from Aqualisa :beer:

I've now had some discussions with Aqualisa. When you cut through it all, they admit they HAVE reduced flow rates, to below those I've previously quoted.

I quote,"... We also believe that the vast majority of consumers want lots of water when in the shower. However, Regulators and other industry influencers are driving product manufacturers to produce products that deliver less water..." They also say, "This is a concern to us as we don’t think enough people want “eco” as default (which is why the processor is not set to Eco to start with)..."

I suggested that the digital systems offered the opportunity to do something about that. They could ship it set to ECO but give the installer the chance to tweak it up if it proved too little. Can you hear the wind and tumble weed rolling across the stage?

The upshot of the offline communications was a BIG FAT BEGGAR ALL... That is if you don't include the headache I got from bashing my head against the brick wall.

In the spirit of 'trying' I even asked them about a job I'm designing for. They told me to go buy their top of the range outfit. The problem for me tho is that they offer NO TRADE DISCOUNT as its NOT ALLOWED if you want to be able to sell it!

Sorry but that is blatant PROTECTIONISM and anti competitive. :mad::mad:

I'm emailing Martin to get his take on the practise!

AquaJen

I've fitted a few of the digital showers, and had to replace the processor on 90% of them! They tend to come on and off by themselves at night... I know this was a more common fault with the older grey processors but a couple of the black ones have been doing it too. They have always been installed to the guidelines and we've even had Aqualisa out to check the installation and they have confirmed its a processor fault.

Replacement processors are not cheap, a couple of hundred pounds and for someone who has paid a hell of a lot of money for a swanky top of the range shower only a few years ago, having to fork out again for a new processor because its just out of warranty is not good.

We've stopped recommending and installing them now...

southcoastrgi

well what an interesting thread, thanks to all involved i have certainly learnt some things, as i've not fitted many aqualisa products