Unhappy with washing machine purchase from Currys

Psyclist

Can anybody advise me on how to handle a situation I feel I've partly been put in by a member of staff from Currys.

Our washing machine had been breaking down repeatedly so we decided that we needed to replace it. We spent a couple of weeks looking at machines and we agreed on a washing machine and separate dryer and chose a specific model of each.

We called into a store to order as we needed to use the Buy now Pay 6 months later, and basically what followed was what I consider to be a hard sell for something I didn't want.

The lady we spoke to wrote down the numbers of the machines we wanted and went off to "check stock". She came back and said they were in stock, but brought my attention to another machine and advised me that it was a better machine than the one we had already decided we wanted, and was £20 less. I asked why she claimed it was a better machine, and her reasoning was that it had a higher spin on it. I said I wasn't bothered about a higher spin and would stick to the one I had already researched and chosen.

Now part of the problem we had was we had our two and four year old kids with us and they were being particularly difficult so she could see that we were hassled and obviously took this as an opportunity to push her sale.

When my wife came over, she started trying to sell the same machine to her, and irritatingly for me my wife seemed to quite like the idea of the faster spin so was quite interested in the other machine. I tried to talk to my wife about the situation but this member of staff wouldn't leave us alone to talk and once she offered a further discount for buying both machines together, my wife decided to go for the other machine. So that is what we ordered.

Both machines were delivered the next day (Sunday 7th September), and without asking them to, the delivery men had unwrapped both machines and brought them to the door of our utility room.

I inspected them visually, removed the transit bolts from the washer and installed them both.

I've since found out that the washing machine has no cycles that we would normally use, and has three times now finished the "normal" wash which is a 50 minute 30 degree wash including what is claimed to be a 1000rpm spin (bearing in mind the fastest spin on our old machine was 1200rpm) leaving the washing inside absolutely running wet (and our old washing machine never left washing wet after a spin.

The top and bottom of it is I'm seriously unhappy with the purchase and the manner in which we were sold the item. I'm dubious about the discount claims conidering I've looked the washer up since taking delivery of it and it is the same price everywhere else as it was that we paid for it and nobody is selling it for the price Currys claim was the original price. I'm not happy with the way the machine works, and I believe the washer is either faulty or poorly designed in the way it is leaving washing wet after a claimed 1000rpm spin. I personally don't think it is reasonable to have to do a 3-3.5 hour wash in order to have the washing spun so that it is not sopping wet.

Bearing in mind we have only had the washer for 7 days and I did not ask for it to be unwrapped (although I accept I would not have known about the problems we are having without first installing the washer), I wondered if anybody could advise what we can do to exchange the washing machine for the one I had made perfectly clear to the sales person in the store I wanted over the one she was seemingly so keen to sell. Even if it costs us a delivery charge or whatever, I do not want to be stuck with this washing machine for the next 5-10 years and feel my original wishes were completely ignored as I was rail-roaded into buying a washing machine that suited their sales requirements rather than one I had already chosen to suit our requirements.

Appreciate your help in advance! Many thanks!

whitegoods_engineer

Er, it was YOU that made the decision. The salesperson could not possibly make you choose something you didn't want so no point blaming them. You ultimately decided to take that machine.

What make and model is it?

Could it be you haven't digested the instructions yet?

zoob

What machine did you get?

Psyclist

So if that is the case, why did she continue to sell this machine when I said under no uncertain terms that I did not want this machine and I wanted the one I had already asked for?

I accept that the problem I have is that my wife has ignored my better judgement and been sold something incorrectly, but the salesperson should have dropped it when I said "NO!" in the first place.

Regardless, we're not happy with the performance of the machine and believe it to be either faulty or not fit for purpose. The model number is Indesit XWA81682.

EDIT: For the record, while I realise it may sound as such, this isn't me just being bitter about "being ignored". My wife also feels she has made a mistake buying this washing machine but also can't understand why a standard wash cycle is leaving the washing soaking wet at the end of the cycle.

barbiedoll

I appreciate that it can be difficult trying to shop with small children in tow but personally, I wouldn't be trying to buy white goods AND sign a credit agreement in that sort of situation. Why didn't just one of you go and order the machines? You had already picked out what you wanted, a change of mind instore isn't really Currys' fault (and I'm no fan of Currys!)

As to the slow spin speed, this may just be how the programme works. My (fairy new) Hotpoint has a quick wash which is 30 degrees and takes less than an hour, it will only spin at 800prm which does leave my washing still wet. I only use this when I know that I can get the washing out on the line in good drying weather. If I need to dry it indoors, I use the separate spin cycle afterwards. Mine does go up to 1200rpm but I never use that, I can never get the creases out afterwards!

I think that all new machines have loads of programmes which no-one ever uses, I use 2 or 3 at most of mine (whites, colours and "fast")..in fact, looking at mine now, I have one for "bed and bath"...??

If the machine is leaving your washing literally "sopping wet" after any spin cycle, i.e. you think that it is faulty, then contact Currys (good luck with that ). But I don't think you have a leg to stand on with a "change of mind", now that you've used it.
Sorry.

Horseunderwater

On mine I have a button that allows me to lower the spin speed down should I want that. Default being 1200rpm - has your got this & default is 800rpm & needs to be upped by pressing a button or turning a knob? Suggest you read instruction book thoroughly. There is usually a trouble shoot bit at the back.

Bantex_2

If the machine is faulty is one thing, if the machine you wanted is not the one your wife chose is more a matter for relate.

Psyclist

Only thing the spin button does is reduce the spin speed.

I appreciate what you're saying about the quicker wash and hanging outside, but the washing is literally running wet when it finished the 50 minute wash. As in you can't lift it out of the drum without it causing a puddle.

wiogs

If you have made a mistake then that is what it is.

A mistake of your own making.

However as others have said check the settings on the new machine.

The spin setting on mine changes depending on which programme I use.

It is possible to alter this though after selecting the programme, although the highest it will go on some settings is 1000 rpm whereas on other programmes it does spin at 1200 rpm.

wiogs

From the manual


Setting the spin speed
Press the SPIN SPEED button to set the spin speed for the selected wash cycle.
The maximum spin speeds available for each wash cycle are as follows:
Wash cycles
Maximum spin speed
Cottons
1600 rpm
Synthetics
800 rpm
Wool
800 rpm
The spin speed may be lowered, or the spin cycle can be excluded altogether by selecting the symbol
.
The washing machine will automatically prevent you from selecting a spin speed which is higher than the maximum speed
set for each wash cycle.

custardy

Psyclist wrote: »

Only thing the spin button does is reduce the spin speed.

I appreciate what you're saying about the quicker wash and hanging outside, but the washing is literally running wet when it finished the 50 minute wash. As in you can't lift it out of the drum without it causing a puddle.

So what machine did you get?