Power failure now washing machine won't work, compensation?

kag8

Hello,

Sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum.

Basically I just tried to turn on my washing machine today and it wont turn on! Puzzled as it has never given me problems before :S

So I checked the fuse box no trips, tried another appliance on the socket (it works), replaced the fuse on the power cable of the washing machine, no luck.

Called up Candy - they said as I bought the appliance more than 12 months ago (Sept 13) they will only cover parts and the cost of an engineer is approx £170! A brand new washing machine is £200 - which I don't have anyway!

I mentioned this to my neighbour and he told me that there was a power failure in the area on Friday (while I was at work) and it could be that there was a power surge when electricity came back on and that damaged the washing machine. Which makes sense!

I don't have home contents insurance (doh) so just checking whether I have any chance to get compensation from First Utility (my energy provider) or any one else :S.

Please advise, thanks

Andy_WSM

kag8 wrote: »

I mentioned this to my neighbour and he told me that there was a power failure in the area on Friday (while I was at work) and it could be that there was a power surge when electricity came back on and that damaged the washing machine. Which makes sense!

It makes no sense at all if it wasn't turned on! Even if it was turned on it is highly unlikely the washing machine would have been affected by a power surge and nothing else was - all that assuming a power surge even occured as they really are very rare.

kag8

Thanks for the reply, while the washing machine was turned off it was plugged in and the socket doesnt have an on/off switch. I'm no expert hence I'm posting here for advice, but would that not mean it is still connected to the power supply?

If it has nothing to do with the power failure, I'm really confused as the washing machine never gave me any issues before

Cyberman60

The appliance does not have to be switched on to be affected by power surge. If it is plugged in that can be enough.

http://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-power-surge.htm

Andy_WSM

kag8 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, while the washing machine was turned off it was plugged in and the socket doesnt have an on/off switch. I'm no expert hence I'm posting here for advice, but would that not mean it is still connected to the power supply?

It would depend on how it's been built. Mine isn't connected to power when it is plugged in and not operating as the on/off switch is on the supply side, so isolates all power from the machine. To the best of my knowledge most machines would be like this as they don't need a standby or remote control function - so why would the manufacturer design it to be always connected?

I'd have said this is an unlucky coincidence, nothing more - and frankly you'd have to prove the power company were responsible, you can't just point the finger of blame and expect them to prove otherwise!

naedanger

kag8 wrote: »

Hello,

Sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum.

Basically I just tried to turn on my washing machine today and it wont turn on! Puzzled as it has never given me problems before :S

So I checked the fuse box no trips, tried another appliance on the socket (it works), replaced the fuse on the power cable of the washing machine, no luck.

Called up Candy - they said as I bought the appliance more than 12 months ago (Sept 13) they will only cover parts and the cost of an engineer is approx £170! A brand new washing machine is £200 - which I don't have anyway!

I mentioned this to my neighbour and he told me that there was a power failure in the area on Friday (while I was at work) and it could be that there was a power surge when electricity came back on and that damaged the washing machine. Which makes sense!

I don't have home contents insurance (doh) so just checking whether I have any chance to get compensation from First Utility (my energy provider) or any one else :S.

Please advise, thanks

I think you will have a hard time proving that First Utility were at fault, unless you can find some neighbours who also had items damaged. (I am not saying it wasn't damaged by a power surge just that it will be difficult for you to prove.)

However for the washing machine to last a lot less than two years is not acceptable. Your complaint should be against the shop you bought it from. However unfortunately the onus will be for you to prove there was a fault which again will be difficult.

kag8

Thanks for the replies.

Not looking to just pass on the blame to the power company, just thought it made sense as I can't think of any other reason as to why a 14 month old washing machine which always worked fine would suddenly stop working.

How does one go about proving a power surge? If the neighbour didnt even mention the power failure I wouldn't have been aware.

If too difficult to prove, is there any other way I can get this repaired/replaced? Sale of Goods Act or anything? With Homebase (retailer) or Candy (manufacturer)?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is there any power getting to machine, lights on, error message?

lovinituk

We had a power surge in our area a few years. It knackered a few appliances up and down the road but as far as I know they were only ones that were actually running or on standby at the time. All that was affected in our house was a cheap clock radio.

As above, it's very unlikely only you were affected if it was a true power surge and if your washing machine was off, even less likely.

Candy are a budget make which is possibly part of your problem although should be expected to last longer than 18 months. As its over 6 months old it will be down to you to commission a report to prove the fault was there right from the start and not through mistreatment (overloading for example).

kag8

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

is there any power getting to machine, lights on, error message?

no does not look like it is getting any power at all, no lights, no error message, nothing.

I tried it on a different power socket/outlet, and no luck. even though my kettle works on that socket.

Also replaced the fuse on the power cable of the washing machine even though it did not look blown. No luck

societys_child

Unlikely that home contents insurance would have covered it and I think it'd need more than a neighbour suggesting "it could be that there was a power surge" to convince the power company.

If the neighbour didnt even mention the power failure I wouldn't have been aware

But he's only guessing about a surge.

Do you not have any local washing machine sales/ repair shops etc, much cheaper than a Candy call out? You'd need a tech report to make any claim (warranty or other)