Oral B electric toothbrush faulty

2013yearofthehouse

My Oral B electric toothbrush has developed a fault (the pressure sensor flashes red constantly). I bought it from Amazon (special offer £90 reduced to £30) 2 years 6 months ago - they won't replace unless it's less than 2 years old. Oral B will only accept it back for a repair, which is free if less than 2 years old, but chargeable for older.

I asked if they knew roughly how much it might be, but they didn't know, not even whether it would be more likely £5-10 or £30-40. They said once they received it, they would contact me with a quote, so I could decide whether I wanted them to go ahead. I asked what would happen if I said no, could I still have it sent back to me free of charge and still in the same working state I sent it in, but they didn't know.

What do you think I should do? I assume I really am not entitled to a free repair? Has anyone any experience with Oral B repairs and how expensive they might be? If it was completely kaput then obviously I would send it off and see what cost they quote to know if it's worth it, but if I still do that and it's expensive then I could be completely without a toothbrush (when technically, although faulty, it does still "brush my teeth"!). I can't afford a like-for-like replacement, which is now £60 not £30, so if I just buy a new one, it would have to be a lower/cheaper model.

I know it's a bit of a trivial quandary, but I'm not feeling very decisive today!

tomtontom

http://www.olympicshavers.co.uk

Contact these people. They do the Braun repairs, but if you speak to them directly they'll be able to give you an idea of price.

You might find there is little difference between yours and the cheaper model in terms of features you actually use.

2013yearofthehouse

Thank you, I'll contact them tomorrow.

You're right, given the faff, postage, time without a toothbrush etc. it could well just be easier to buy whatever I can for £30 brand new.

agrinnall

£0.79. Other brands are available.

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Smile-single-brush-toothbrush_1125375/

2013yearofthehouse

agrinnall wrote: »

£0.79. Other brands are available.

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Smile-single-brush-toothbrush_1125375/

Unfortunately I have arthritis and find a manual toothbrush too painful (for my shoulder and back, not my teeth!) to use regularly.

2013yearofthehouse

tomtontom wrote: »

http://www.olympicshavers.co.uk

Contact these people. They do the Braun repairs, but if you speak to them directly they'll be able to give you an idea of price.

You might find there is little difference between yours and the cheaper model in terms of features you actually use.

They simply said it sounds like the handle unit is faulty and the price to replace it would be £60, but that they sell the same (handle, different brush so changeable, but basically the same) model for £39.99 on offer at the moment. I guess that's their way of saying it can't/wouldn't be repaired....

Keep_pedalling

Just keep using it and ignore the pressure sensor which many brushes don't actually have. It will still clean your teeth just as well.

bsod

a £15 one (they're on offer all the time) is just as good, the extra functions are just gimmicks, and the battery in the old one will probably be on it's way out soon anyway, so not worth spending money on.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=oral-b&closed=0&closed=1&online_only=false&text_only=false&type=1&category=0&sort_type=submitted&date_range=

2013yearofthehouse

Sorry, probably should have mentioned it in my last post - as soon as she said £60 for a replacement or £40 for a new one, it made my decision much easier! Will be keeping my current one until it gives up completely and then get a new one (same or more basic version) on special offer

Edit: actually since they didn't even mention repair costs (and curiosity got the better of me!) I thought perhaps I hadn't made myself clear that Braun had mentioned a repair quote and they said the toothbrush units are not repairable as there are no internal parts available for the handle units and chargers, so I'm a bit confused as to whether they even quote for toothbrush repairs at all! Which seems a bit odd....

Oh well, doesn't really matter

lincroft1710

Boots are selling the Oral B Vitality with double head and timer at half price - £17.49.

System

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Just keep using it and ignore the pressure sensor which many brushes don't actually have. It will still clean your teeth just as well.

I agree, surely the money saving thing to do is nothing? Does the sensor do anything except flash a light at you? Cover it up!

If you must replace it, wait until you spot a nice one on sale. don't rush.