Repairman breaks washing machine

silverstone-sue

I am looking for advice on what to do when someone manages to break an item further when carrying out a repair. Five weeks ago I called out a previously unused repair company to change the door seal on my 8 year old Miele washing machine. During the repair he ran part of a cycle, presumably to check the seal, and it would not drain - the drain error light also lit up. Ten minutes later he reported it fixed and left but of course, when I tried to run a load, the problem persisted. He returned several days later, announced that the pump had coincidently gone at the same time (!) and ordered a new pump. A further three weeks passed before he returned and of course, changing the pump made no difference! This time he took the machine with him and I have just chased the company to be told it is the main module unit. No price as yet but it is not going to be cheap and will presumably take a further three weeks to order from Germany! I have a house full of children and need my machine functioning! I also would welcome advice on whether it is fair for me to have to pay for a part which had previously worked. Also I should surely not pay for further labour having already paid £100 for the seal replacement? Thanks

Alter_ego

Difficult, he will obviously deny any wrongdoing. It will all be a horrible coincidence I'm afraid.
I'd argue that the new pump was unnecessary. I'd also tell them to return the machine without changing the module. Good luck.

hollydays

Where did you see this company advertised?
Did you see any reviews of them-might be worth speaking to trading standards- they may a history of this

bris

Changing a door seal is pretty straight forward and wouldn't cause any issues with the components. After 8 years it wouldn't be hard to argue wear and tear has caused the issues.


Sometimes it's better just to cut the losses on an old machine as it's just throwing good money after bad.


You can pick up a brand new machine for 2 or 3 hundred quid now that will last just as long as the over priced over hyped Miele brand.

hollydays

Miele machines are vey high quality can last 20 years

vuvuzela

hollydays wrote: »

Miele machines are vey high quality can last 20 years

'Can', not 'will'...

[Deleted User]

I know its not an awful lot of help but simple repairs like this I do myself. Then I know it will be done properly. I just don't trust tradesmen like this.., too many chancers around. Washing machine repairs are quite often simpler than you'd expect.., certainly the replacement of a door seal.

Something like a Miele, I'd probably want to get someone to inspect it, to see if the workman did inadvertently break the board (or a connection) that's gone or if it was coincidental as he says. Its not impossible.., but rather unlikely, I'd have thought. Your repair bills are high enough already. But, unfortunately, as he's already taken the Miele away, not much chance of establishing what happened now.

hollydays

vuvuzela wrote: »

'Can', not 'will'...

Yes, that's what I said.

hollydays

Is he a Miele approved repairer, if not your just throwing good money after bad given the circumstances.

http://www.miele.co.uk/support/serviceandrepair/?tutTitle=The+washing+machine+leaks+around+the+door&tutUrl=/iinet/gb/callassistance/ca_3671.aspx

silverstone-sue

Thank you all for your excellent responses. No, not in a Miele specialist, just a repair company that I asked to change the door seal when they were coming out to mend my dishwasher. Incidentally they didn't manage to repair the dishwasher but I did it myself! I found them through one of the websites which obviously just acts as a 'broker' for repair companies, didn't realise that was what it was when I booked so this company are actually based 90 miles away!
I think I will wait and see how much this new part is likely to cost. If it is less than £150 I might give it a go to hopefully give me a working machine for a few years but otherwise I'm going to cut my losses and buy new machine. It feels such as unfair situation but one in which I am fairly powerless!

hollydays

Might be worth googling for reviews of this company. It does sound a bit suspicious coupled with their very poor ability and service. It sounds like they are Cowboys.

This website is very good and they are trades experts.
You might want to post on their too, might be more productive.
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/forumsphpbb3/washing-machine-forum/