Which best buy w.mach not in main outlets

rustyboy21

grizzly1911 wrote: »

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.

I am a trader, not in white goods, but something similar and know this is happening.

I alsohave a friend who is part of Euronics. Euronics also have product made especially for them, which is different than the likes of Currys/comet/internet traders etc. The same thing also happens with TV's.

In my field some of the manufacturers have fires which have one name in my sector of the market which I can offer either a 3 year or 5 year warranty on, and also have the same product under a different name which is sold through internet guys and the DIY sheds.

It would make sense that manufacturers will deliver the goods bought from the internet on the same wagons as goods bought from showrooms. It is cheaper for them to make a lorry load up and deliver themselves, than use a carrier.

Products made purely for the internet guys, may have every slight differences to them. This could be a cheaper programmeer on them, 2 layers of paint instead of 3, hoses not supplied, where retail showroom ones are supplied, differnt grade of metal used etc. It has been happening for years. B&Q used to sell a gas fire which looked exactly the same as one I could sell,to the layman, but they sold it £100 less. When you looked more into it, the coals were a cheaper design, the fret didn't have a cover plate on it, The trim finish was inferior and most importantly the code number was different. It was designed to fit into the pricing structure B&Q demanded. It is still happening today with the internet guys.

Yes some of the goods will be exactly the same as showrom ones with the same model no's, but some are made purely for internet/mail order sales. If you put the model no of a product in google, it will come up with where you can buy it from. This will prove my point, if no retail shop is listed then it is an internet only product.

Hope this meets with your satisfaction.

majjie

I can't say one way or the other - whether manufacturers make models specially for internet sales - but I suspect it's the other way round. Models are made specially for the physical showrooms.

There are indeed entire brands that are only available from the independents - like Blomberg from Euronics dealers - and Gaggenau, Atag, V-Zug and Brandt from kitchen showrooms. They're mostly good quality, upmarket brands - but also with good margins for the retailers.

Bosch and Neff (yes, I know - both BSH Group) have "partner products" which are mainly available from showrooms - but some internet sellers (like Appliance City) also qualify to sell them. They have to have a showroom, working appliances to demonstrate and trained sales staff.

Years ago Whirlpool used to make lower quality appliances for the DIY sheds and also for the big housebuilders, for new houses. They had their fingers burned though - because the cheaper appliances broke down a lot more and people assumed that all Whirlpool appliances were the same, so sales of their better quality products suffered. I'm not sure any big whitegoods manufacturer would go down the same route again. I think they'd be more likely to use a different brand name altogether ... but I've been wrong before (just occasionally!) ...

katejo

majjie wrote: »

I can't say one way or the other - whether manufacturers make models specially for internet sales - but I suspect it's the other way round. Models are made specially for the physical showrooms.

There are indeed entire brands that are only available from the independents - like Blomberg from Euronics dealers - and Gaggenau, Atag, V-Zug and Brandt from kitchen showrooms. They're mostly good quality, upmarket brands - but also with good margins for the retailers.

Bosch and Neff (yes, I know - both BSH Group) have "partner products" which are mainly available from showrooms - but some internet sellers (like Appliance City) also qualify to sell them. They have to have a showroom, working appliances to demonstrate and trained sales staff.

Years ago Whirlpool used to make lower quality appliances for the DIY sheds and also for the big housebuilders, for new houses. They had their fingers burned though - because the cheaper appliances broke down a lot more and people assumed that all Whirlpool appliances were the same, so sales of their better quality products suffered. I'm not sure any big whitegoods manufacturer would go down the same route again. I think they'd be more likely to use a different brand name altogether ... but I've been wrong before (just occasionally!) ...

I am buying appliances for a new kitchen and I am unwilling to buy from Internet only suppliers as I feel it would be a false economy. I don't know if problems would arise should a fault develop. I am happy to view appliances in JL or Curry's or similar and then order online. I don't know whether the models sold over the internet only are poorer quality or not.

majjie

katejo wrote: »

I am buying appliances for a new kitchen and I am unwilling to buy from Internet only suppliers as I feel it would be a false economy. I don't know if problems would arise should a fault develop. I am happy to view appliances in JL or Curry's or similar and then order online. I don't know whether the models sold over the internet only are poorer quality or not.

If you buy reputable brands KateJo, then your guarantee should be fine ... as long as they are genuine branded goods with model numbers that are available from other retailers.

Franke apparently are finding that some sinks sold on-line under their brand name - are not their sinks at all.

I think most of us can distinguish a reputable website these days, can't we? They're the ones which tell you all about themselves - give you their company's proper registered name and number - and a full postal address - have security certificates on the site - and possibly have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages too. I think it's also a good sign, if an on-line appliance retailer also has a showroom that you could visit (even if you don't because it's miles away) ... although that doesn't apply to giants like DRL, of course; they own warehouses not showrooms.

Avoid any that are called something like Appliances4U.co.uk with no reference to a limited company or proper address. (I was going to say AppliancesRUs - but there is actually a website called that - which seems perfectly legitimate!) :rotfl:

juliebunny

I got a new washing machine from Currys or Comet - cant remember which but I've found service from them both to be equally awful.

They were supposed to 'unplug' my old machine and take it away. When they turned up they said it was too old and refused to take the old fittings off. They were in such a rush that it was pretty obvious to me that if the job was going to take more than ten seconds they wouldn't do it. This is the ONLY reason I even shopped at this store, for this service.

They then proceeded to dump the new machine in my lounge and bu**ered off.

The shop staff would not even discuss it with me, once they had my money. They were very rude to me. The delivery man told me to put the old one at the front of the road 'and someone will take it'!! Dumping it illegally in other words.

I had to call out a local plumber and pay him to do the job and get the old machine put out in my front garden.

Only after many many phone calls to head office did they send someone back to take away my old machine.

My advice - stick to a local established business, that's what I am doing from now on.

I don't know about John Lewis - I wanted to buy from them but I had to find my own installer - hence i went to the large chains for a full (ha ha ) service- I wished I had never bothered.

I guess you live and learn but these forums are also great for expediting that learning process....

As a footnote, I paid for a Bosch and wouldn't bother again. Just out of guarantee and already it's going wrong. I heard nothing but good about them but I miss my old cheapy machine which went on for many years.

majjie

juliebunny wrote: »

I got a new washing machine from Currys or Comet - cant remember which but I've found service from them both to be equally awful.

They were supposed to 'unplug' my old machine and take it away. When they turned up they said it was too old and refused to take the old fittings off. They were in such a rush that it was pretty obvious to me that if the job was going to take more than ten seconds they wouldn't do it. This is the ONLY reason I even shopped at this store, for this service.

They then proceeded to dump the new machine in my lounge and bu**ered off.

The shop staff would not even discuss it with me, once they had my money. They were very rude to me. The delivery man told me to put the old one at the front of the road 'and someone will take it'!! Dumping it illegally in other words.

I had to call out a local plumber and pay him to do the job and get the old machine put out in my front garden.

Only after many many phone calls to head office did they send someone back to take away my old machine.

My advice - stick to a local established business, that's what I am doing from now on.

I don't know about John Lewis - I wanted to buy from them but I had to find my own installer - hence i went to the large chains for a full (ha ha ) service- I wished I had never bothered.

I guess you live and learn but these forums are also great for expediting that learning process....

As a footnote, I paid for a Bosch and wouldn't bother again. Just out of guarantee and already it's going wrong. I heard nothing but good about them but I miss my old cheapy machine which went on for many years.

Oh dear! Perhaps I'll revise my Currys decision then, get up off my fat a-se and find an independent.

You're right that these sorts of discussion are invaluable. One retailer says they won't disconnect - but does - another says they will - but won't. It's confusing!

rustyboy21

OP, I don't think you can beat the independant showrooms like Euronics on service. Each shop is normally owned by a sole trader, The local one to me is ran by a husband and wife team and has passed down through the family for over 50 years.

If they haven't got it in stock, they can get them quickly, they offer extra warranties FOC and if the one by you is like the one by me, they supplied and fitted my last washer and took the old one away for £35.

They also fitted my last gas cooker for £45 inc the fittings.

You may pay a bit more, but at least you have a face to complain to and the service you seem to require.

Euronics website to find your local centre can be found here.

http://www.euronics.co.uk/

rustyboy21

majjie wrote: »

If you buy reputable brands KateJo, then your guarantee should be fine ... as long as they are genuine branded goods with model numbers that are available from other retailers.

Franke apparently are finding that some sinks sold on-line under their brand name - are not their sinks at all.

I think most of us can distinguish a reputable website these days, can't we? They're the ones which tell you all about themselves - give you their company's proper registered name and number - and a full postal address - have security certificates on the site - and possibly have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages too. I think it's also a good sign, if an on-line appliance retailer also has a showroom that you could visit (even if you don't because it's miles away) ... although that doesn't apply to giants like DRL, of course; they own warehouses not showrooms.

Avoid any that are called something like Appliances4U.co.uk with no reference to a limited company or proper address. (I was going to say AppliancesRUs - but there is actually a website called that - which seems perfectly legitimate!) :rotfl:

Totally agree with you on all of the above.

Websites that also have an active and open showroom, do seem to be the better ones to deal with.

A number of manufacturers of products from my trade will only deal with retailers, who have a showroom, a car park, open more than 40 hours a week and a dedicated installation team.

It is so much easier to close up a internet only business and take all the money with you, than it is to close a physical shop . Also if it is a local shop and website, people around town will know where they live and give you addresses if they did go bust.

Go for a company that has been going for a long time, min 10 years I would say and as above states, keep away from the likes of websites with shortend words like ''4u, 2u, rus'' etc.

Also if you find any websites which have the manufacturer names in them, make sure they are actually the manufacturer, most of them are not, they have just bought the domain names before the manufacturer could get them.