Washing Machine Died - Repair/Replace under SoGA

supermonkey

Thanks guys, I'll see what the retailer says.

Whilst I appreciate this isn't a question of fairness, it does seem unfair if they only offer £50. It does help of course, but compared to the cost of replacement....

Leo2020

The cost of replacing it is irrelevant when working out a partial refund. A partial refund is based on how long an item is expected to last. To offer 0 after 4 years means the retailer thinks that the washing should have lasted 4 years or less and therefore believes you are not entitled to anything back. But I would expect a washing of £400 to last 6 to 7 years.

supermonkey

Thanks, thats what I would also expect, giving a value of approx £100 - £130.

They've said it's value is nothing, but offered £50 out of goodwill.

wealdroam

supermonkey wrote: »

Thanks, thats what I would also expect, giving a value of approx £100 - £130.

They've said it's value is nothing, but offered £50 out of goodwill.

Are you assuming a linear depreciation?

Most technology based things depreciate more in their early life.

supermonkey

Thanks, but how I would I work that out?

It makes sense for fast moving tech like computers & they're likely to be replaced before the die anyway.

But when replacing a washing machine that is not durable and arguably has an inherent fault, it hardly seems fair to state its worthless after 4 years - if its lifespan should be more than this then its value should be over £0

macman

Given that you can buy a brand new washing machine for £160, you cannot possibly expect a £400 4 year old one to be valued at £130 or anything near that. £50 is a result. Of course, that new machine is rubbish and will probably last barely 3 years, but that appears to be what the market wants these days.
What's the make and model?

Shaka_Zulu

Assuming it is an inherent fault a fairer method of deprecation might be something around 30% depreciation a year that would bring you to a value of just under £100.

But OP you will need to find someone to give you a report.

Interestingly our expensive LG broke (3 years old) and I was getting rather excited about shoddy goods but when I looked at it something sharp had got between the drum and the outer casing and punched a hole through the case. Hardly an inherent fault unfortunately.

unholyangel

supermonkey wrote: »

Thanks, but how I would I work that out?

It makes sense for fast moving tech like computers & they're likely to be replaced before the die anyway.

But when replacing a washing machine that is not durable and arguably has an inherent fault, it hardly seems fair to state its worthless after 4 years - if its lifespan should be more than this then its value should be over £0

Which is why I suggested seeing what your machine sells for when it is in a similar condition & age as you can use that to show the machine does still have value.

There is actually no hard rules when it comes to a partial refund. Only that the refund can be reduced to take account use they have had.

None of us can decide what offer is fair, only a court can.

If you paid by credit card you could try a section 75 claim - but they will likely require proof the fault is inherent. They may reject your claim also but you'd then have the option of referring your complaint to the financial ombudsman (which wont cost you anything like small claims would - but you'd still have the option of small claims if the ombudsman rejected your complaint also).

supermonkey

macman wrote: »

Given that you can buy a brand new washing machine for £160, you cannot possibly expect a £400 4 year old one to be valued at £130 or anything near that. £50 is a result.

I don't think you can compare a £400 model to a £160 model. Based on that a 5 year old ferrari is only worth £3000 since I can buy a Fiesta for that.

£50 isn't really a result. I paid £45 for an inspection, so that leaves me with £5 to go towards a new machine.

Shaka_Zulu wrote: »

Assuming it is an inherent fault a fairer method of deprecation might be something around 30% depreciation a year that would bring you to a value of just under £100.

But OP you will need to find someone to give you a report.

I have a (brief) report, but the retailer is not disputing that the machine is faulty, just stating it is worth £0.

unholyangel wrote: »

Which is why I suggested seeing what your machine sells for when it is in a similar condition & age as you can use that to show the machine does still have value.

I've had a look around & the only place where similar machines sell are ebay. But having searched both open listings & closed listings, I can't find the exact model.

usefulmale

Have you found reviews of the same make and model of your washing machine failing for the same reason as yours did? If you have trouble finding them, its clearly not an inherent fault.

I remember seeing earlier that you said the PCB had failed. That could easily be due to a voltage spike. I assume you mitigated this event by using an anti-surge plug that can be had for a tenner.