Indesit Fridge/Freezer

djh77

Thanks for the reply.

Could I not go down the sale of goods act in that it is not really fit for it's purpose? We have had 1 replacement already and had, we think, 7 engineer visits in just under 2 years.

No, they haven't said why we are suffering in this way. I have, in writing in email form what they have said, and I quote:

Thanks for your details and patience whilst I looked into this.
Firstly I should explain that all materials used in the manufacture of our appliances are selected for their durability and suitability for the part in question. Before any appliance is placed on the market, it undergoes exhaustive testing, as do the component parts.
Once production of an appliance begins we constantly review its performance. We also monitor our suppliers to ensure consistently high standards of manufacture using the appropriate materials.
Unfortunately, even with all our quality control measures in place, there will occasionally be times when a failure occurs. It is often difficult to determine whether this is due to a problem with the materials used, the manufacturing or indeed some external factor.
We do not however consider that we have an unusually high failure rate on this appliance or its components, considering the number that have been produced.
Regrettably goods can break down through normal use at any time, and a component failure does not mean that the product is not fit for purpose or not durable.
In the circumstances I acknowledge a failure so early on with be both disheartening and inconvenient; I apologise for this.
At this stage, we feel that this is an isolated incident but would be pleased to review the matter if the same fault was to reoccur; however we are unable to agree with a refund or replacement at this stage. I will be pleased to restart your manufacturers guarantee to provide some reassurance as to the quality of our product in any case and would welcome your comments regarding this.

However, I go back to what the engineer told us, which was that they, as engineer's, had been advised to tell customers with this model fridge/freezer to turn it off for 24-48 hours when they heard the noise that we were hearing.

And yes I understand that obviously Comet would have made a big mark up on the item. I guess I am just resigned to the fact this particular model of fridge freezer is pants and that I am going to have to replace it with something else. I just feel it totally unfair that something we paid good money for has a serious design/manufacturing flaw and there isn't really much we can do about it.

I really am tempted to just fill in MCOL forms for the sake of £60, but as you said I am probably just wasting my time (and more money!).

unholyangel

djh77 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Could I not go down the sale of goods act in that it is not really fit for it's purpose? We have had 1 replacement already and had, we think, 7 engineer visits in just under 2 years.

No, they haven't said why we are suffering in this way. I have, in writing in email form what they have said, and I quote:



However, I go back to what the engineer told us, which was that they, as engineer's, had been advised to tell customers with this model fridge/freezer to turn it off for 24-48 hours when they heard the noise that we were hearing.

And yes I understand that obviously Comet would have made a big mark up on the item. I guess I am just resigned to the fact this particular model of fridge freezer is pants and that I am going to have to replace it with something else. I just feel it totally unfair that something we paid good money for has a serious design/manufacturing flaw and there isn't really much we can do about it.

I really am tempted to just fill in MCOL forms for the sake of £60, but as you said I am probably just wasting my time (and more money!).

Your contract was with Comet. They no longer exist.

I believe the previous posters reference to the manufacturer not receiving much money may be more related to Comet going bust (ie not paying its suppliers) rather than their mark ups.


If you fill in a MCOL you are not probably wasting your time and money, you definitely are.

Cut your losses and in future, always pay even a deposit by credit card to ensure you have added protection should this kind of situation happen again. Of course this will likely only apply if the item is more than £100, there is a direct chain of buyer>lender>retailer and if the goods are for the cardholders use/benefit.

djh77

But, although Comet have gone bust, my contract is with Indesit (manufactures warranty/guarantee), isn't it?

You are right though about MCOL, I know I would just be throwing good money after bad, but it just all feels wrong, you know it wasn't a small amount of money to just write off.

Whatever happens I will have Indesit out to either repair this or give me another one - again. I will just sell it on straight away as soon as it is fixed.

wealdroam

djh77 wrote: »

Could I not go down the sale of goods act in that it is not really fit for it's purpose?

No you can't.
The Sale of Goods Act provides the framework between seller and buyer.
Indesit are not the seller here... that is/was Comet.

djh77 wrote: »

But, although Comet have gone bust, my contract is with Indesit (manufactures warranty/guarantee), isn't it?

Yes... as far as the warranty is concerned.
That is your only relationship with Indesit.
As I said earlier: "...if Indesit are not honouring their warranty terms, then you may have a case."

djh77 wrote: »

Whatever happens I will have Indesit out to either repair this or give me another one - again. I will just sell it on straight away as soon as it is fixed.

Looks like a good plan.

unholyangel

djh77 wrote: »

But, although Comet have gone bust, my contract is with Indesit (manufactures warranty/guarantee), isn't it?

You are right though about MCOL, I know I would just be throwing good money after bad, but it just all feels wrong, you know it wasn't a small amount of money to just write off.

Whatever happens I will have Indesit out to either repair this or give me another one - again. I will just sell it on straight away as soon as it is fixed.

Not exactly. You had a contract with comet to be provided with a fridge freezer (which included a 1 years warranty) in exchange for £x.

You havent given any consideration to the manufacturers.

You can read more about consideration here if you're interested:
http://www.e-lawresources.co.uk/Consideration.php

djh77

Thanks to both of you for your help.

I am sure that Indesit are honoring their warranty, they always send someone out, and they do either fix it or replace it for us. The issue is we know for almost certainty that it will break again sooner rather than later.

I will push Indesit to replace the item with a different model, but don't hold out much hope of that tbh. As I said, worse case, I will just get them to fix it, then get rid.

Once again, thanks for the advice.

rustyboy21

As already said a number of times above, you have not paid Indesit a sausage,you bought from Comet. Indesits warranty is all they have in common with you. Once the warranty ends though, I would suggest you get a new product from a decent retailer.




You are lucky that Indesit are actually honouring the warranty, I know of a number of companies that have reneged on the warranty side, as Comet owed them £1000's. One co got done for over £90k.

dld2s

maybe you could you ask them to supply a different model, you never know they may be up for this?

djh77

rustyboy21 wrote: »

As already said a number of times above, you have not paid Indesit a sausage,you bought from Comet. Indesits warranty is all they have in common with you. Once the warranty ends though, I would suggest you get a new product from a decent retailer.




You are lucky that Indesit are actually honouring the warranty, I know of a number of companies that have reneged on the warranty side, as Comet owed them £1000's. One co got done for over £90k.

Don't see anyway Indesit can just not honour a warranty. Whichever way you want to look at it a warranty is a 'legal binding' document detailing what the manufacturer will and won't do in the event of something going wrong with the goods. They can't just refuse to honour it just because Comet haven't paid them.

Anyway, Indesit are out next Tuesday and have agreed to refund or exchange for a different appliance (dishwasher/washing machine etc) should they find a fault (which they will - it isn't working).