washing machine bust- what to do!

cheesedoffwithdebt

I've asked this question on someone elses thread but that might be a little rude as it's their post- so here goes.

I bought a cheap machine 3 years ago, it's been ok, a little noisy, but has now decided it wants to retire.

Seriously- the last repairman advised me that what is wrong with it is not really economic to repair, so when it started playing up again I am not bothering to get someone in again.

So my options as far as I see are;

1- get another cheap one, cheapest in Currys is £159.

All the reviews for cheap machines complain about long wash cycles and noisy machines- very few are positive about them so it's a risk


2- rent- I have discarded that because of the minimum terms, the overall cost for 18 months of rental is £270!!

3- the one I am kind of more seriously considering over and above say ebay or gumtree, is a reconditioned machine. I've found 2 retailers, they come with a one yr guarantee, and cost around £100 for a Bosch which I understand is a more quality machine.


If I choose option 1 or 3 I know I am risking the machine having a limited lifespan, 3 seems better to get quality.

I'd appreciate any thoughts- I do have some money set aside for emergencies but it's not enough to get what I'd really like which is a Samsung or Miele.

inneedofsomehelp

i got my last washing machine from ebay for £40 6 years ago. It is still going strong today. Its a beko and originally had a 5 year guarantee

I often find brand new cheaper the machine the less economical/lower spin/smaller drum etc? My sister has a £199 machine that only holds 4kg and has a max 1000 spin. This means she's forever washing and it takes ages to dry cause of the spin rpm

Look at reviews of various brands/machines and search ebay/gumtree/ free cycle for those brands

Do you not have a charity shop near you? We have a BHF electrics shop and they often have amazing deals in there. Maybe worth a few phone calls to local charity shops seeing what they have in stock. Many will also deliver for a few extra £ donation too. you may have to wait until they are doing the collections in your area but it could be days rather than weeks away

dukeboxx

Certainly agree second hand is the answer, there loads of good stuff out there

cheesedoffwithdebt

Thanks both, yes second hand is definitely going to e the way I think. I've tried to do as much research as I can but felt bogged down with it! Thanks guys

UpToMyNeckInIt

We had our Bosch machine for 7 Years, BUT we had someone out to repair it at least once per Year. (Fortunately, I held insurance cover). Not a brilliant reliability record (bloody awful come to think about it).

Factor the cost of the machine + insurance cover over 7 Years, and I spent well over £1,000 on that German 'quality'.

My motto now: Buy cheap and replace when it goes wrong outside warranty.

Would I have got through 4 cheap machines over the last 7 Years? Unlikely I think.

Most of even the cheap machines have a 'AAA' energy rating as well.

mcfisco

I've just repaired our 9 yr old Bosch WFL2000 for the 3rd time.

Same symptoms all 3 times, fills but doesn't turn or spin
Same repair each time too - new motor brushes (£5 off eBay) and half an hour of my time.
She really did think a new one was heading our way this time

cheesedoffwithdebt

Thanks once more and very interesting... Might be better to get the currys cheapo then and just sling it when it breaks down out of warranty, hopefully it will last more than a year or so... Will wait and see if Amy more comments

cheesedoffwithdebt

ok well here is the decision- I did some more online reading about reconditioned machines. The concensus was that these are probably the best of the second hand range because the sellers strip them out and repair them, and usually give a guarantee. However one writer did say it's not like the 1980's when parts were cheap and it still remains with most machines that they can easily become beyond economic repair. I am going to buy an inexpensive new one, and just have the expectation that a 2/3 year lifespan is probably the best I can expect. It will tide me over until the end of the IVA-what I pay into that every month would buy me a decent machine! So the moral of the story is that modern machines are more like a hamster in terms of life expectancy- thanks for the helpful posts anyway guys

UpToMyNeckInIt

Worth checking out 'John Lewis'. They provide a standard 2-Year Warranty on ALL their washing machines - even the cheaper ones, as well as being no pricier than Currys, Argos etc...

Most of the other high street retailers won't cover you outside the Manuafcturer's 1-Year Warranty.

If you are looking at buying 'online', have a look at 'Hughes Direct' (that's who my insurance company use). Very good prices.