Which best buy w.mach not in main outlets

ANGLICANPAT

-- I settled on a Bosch WAE24367GB washing machine as it has excellent reports for the features I want and is a best buy.
Turns out that its not available in mainstream places like John Lewis, Comet , Currys etc . only online. Cheapest place is 'Appliances online'.
Wonder if theres a good reason for this - such as less reliable models /appliances end up in the online shops . Anyone any experience of returning faulty equipment to Appliances online. They have good reports for delivery, but no mention of later on support. Is it possible that the same machine is sold with a slightly different model number if its sold in shops?

Frog_Prince

ANGLICANPAT wrote: »

-- Is it possible that the same machine is sold with a slightly different model number if its sold in shops?

That's interesting, because John Lewis stock Bosch WAE24368GB. BUT their website says:

"Please note: This product is not available in our shops for viewing. However, you can still place your order in store".

It's £429, as of today's date. John Lewis staff have always been pretty good to deal with, in my (limited) personal experience.

I have no idea why they will not put an example on display, though.

majjie

Appliance City - which is just down the road from me in Nottingham, as well as being on-line - also have the Bosch WAE24368GB for sale - but not the one you're looking for.

Bosch have just updated their appliance range and changed the model numbers ... although I don't know for sure, that that's why you can't find the original number ... and it may be that Appliances Online still have some of the old stock.

If that is the case, Bosch may also have changed the spec ... you'd need to compare the two.

Funnily enough Appliance City say:
"This item is unavailable for online purchase. Please call us for our best price, or create a multi-buy list, submit your details and we'll get back to you with a great deal."

Why don't you phone Appliance City and Appliances Online and ask? I think you can tell a lot about a business by how helpful they are when asked a question.

Most online appliance retailers have issues with delivery now and again - it's not easy to organise nationwide deliveries. Appliances Online is owned by giant DRL who also run the appliance websites for M&S, Boots, B&Q and Empire Direct ... and they own their own delivery company (which also delivers for Bosch). Doesn't stop them getting complaints though. Appliance City is an independent company, so relatively much smaller - but they do get a few complaints too.

Most on-line suppliers only offer a limited fitting service and often won't take away your old appliance unless you've already disconnected it and taken it outside. You need to read the small print. Curry's are more helpful and will disconnect your old appliance - but they still have a list of things they won't do (like disconnect an appliance on a fused spur).

LisaW123

Frog_Prince wrote: »

That's interesting, because John Lewis stock Bosch WAE24368GB. BUT their website says:

"Please note: This product is not available in our shops for viewing. However, you can still place your order in store".

It's £429, as of today's date. John Lewis staff have always been pretty good to deal with, in my (limited) personal experience.

I have no idea why they will not put an example on display, though.

I suspect there are so many models that they can't display everything in their stores.

The model you are looking for has probably been updated and replaced by this one. http://www.johnlewis.com/231645711/Product.aspx.

Some retailers clearly still have stock of the older model. If you buy from Appliances Online, you should still have the Bosch warranty, and i believe this is two years.

Personally, however, I would go for John Lewis if the price difference isn't too great. I've just ordered a new Miele washing machine from them online. We could have got the same model slightly cheaper from an independent but prefer the security of dealing with JL. They have always bent over backwards to resolve any problems (and there have not been many) with purchases in the past.

majjie

John Lewis do, of course, have a great reputation but they too say:

"Before our delivery crew arrives, please make sure the old appliance is empty of any water, and is safely disconnected from the water and electricity (or gas) supply"

As a single woman ... who's not very fit ... I tend to think of these things. It's difficult to pull a washing machine out of a tight fitting spot. If your family includes fit young(ish) bodies, then you don't need to worry!

rustyboy21

A lot of manufacturers, especially white and brown goods manufacturers are now making different models that are only available on the internet. They may have slight differences in their programming, different doors, slightly cheaper materials used to make them.

It is the way they are getting around retail stores complaining about internet undercutting. They are also enabling showrooms to offer things like free 5 year warranties for their products, whereas internet guys can only offer 12 months.

Also is the fact that price matching in showrooms is now a lot harder, as the model numbers are not the same, so price matching doesn't really come into it. It is a good thing for the retailers, less hassle and less lost sales in showrooms, which is a good thing for the manufacturers, as they don't have to lose as much margin as they do when selling to online retailers and the inherent engineer callouts that come with online sales compared to showroom sales. There are vastly more callouts to online sold appliances than shop bought, as the majority of them are fitted not to installer guides, so more things go wrong.

This could be why they do not have images of the product shown online too, as they can dictate, who uses their images.

cattie

majjie wrote: »

John Lewis do, of course, have a great reputation but they too say:

"Before our delivery crew arrives, please make sure the old appliance is empty of any water, and is safely disconnected from the water and electricity (or gas) supply"

As a single woman ... who's not very fit ... I tend to think of these things. It's difficult to pull a washing machine out of a tight fitting spot. If your family includes fit young(ish) bodies, then you don't need to worry!

My last 2 washing machines have been from John Lewis and the delivery guys have been more than happy to pull the old machine out prior to taking it away and installing new one. I think once they know you are on your own, and on the way to feebledom like me, they are quite willing to help.

majjie

cattie wrote: »

My last 2 washing machines have been from John Lewis and the delivery guys have been more than happy to pull the old machine out prior to taking it away and installing new one. I think once they know you are on your own, and on the way to feebledom like me, they are quite willing to help.

Well that's good to hear Cattie ... although it would also be good if they didn't tell you otherwise in their small print.

I will have to get a new washing machine myself soon - which is why I've been studying the small print! And I'm favouring Currys purely for that reason.

grizzly1911

majjie wrote: »

Well that's good to hear Cattie ... although it would also be good if they didn't tell you otherwise in their small print.

I will have to get a new washing machine myself soon - which is why I've been studying the small print! And I'm favouring Currys purely for that reason.

If you need help with installation removal also consider you local independent or a Euronics linked outlet.

Currys would be the last place I would go personally.

grizzly1911

rustyboy21 wrote: »

A lot of manufacturers, especially white and brown goods manufacturers are now making different models that are only available on the internet. They may have slight differences in their programming, different doors, slightly cheaper materials used to make them.

It is the way they are getting around retail stores complaining about internet undercutting. They are also enabling showrooms to offer things like free 5 year warranties for their products, whereas internet guys can only offer 12 months.

Also is the fact that price matching in showrooms is now a lot harder, as the model numbers are not the same, so price matching doesn't really come into it. It is a good thing for the retailers, less hassle and less lost sales in showrooms, which is a good thing for the manufacturers, as they don't have to lose as much margin as they do when selling to online retailers and the inherent engineer callouts that come with online sales compared to showroom sales. There are vastly more callouts to online sold appliances than shop bought, as the majority of them are fitted not to installer guides, so more things go wrong.

This could be why they do not have images of the product shown online too, as they can dictate, who uses their images.

Can I ask where you get this knowledge from?

I can accept the point about the same product having multiple references depending on where you buy it from. That can happen whether it be "instore" too and has gone on for many years not just with white goods.

Most of the white goods I have brought on line have been delivered by the "manufacturers" vehicle.

I also don't believe major brands that use DLR would accept lower quality product.

Appreciate that some online stores sell graded goods but that is a different issue.

majjie

grizzly1911 wrote: »

If you need help with installation removal also consider you local independent or a Euronics linked outlet.

Currys would be the last place I would go personally.

Yes, I know I should really - but I'm frantically busy - and it's so easy to shop from the comfort of one's armchair!