Hotpoint urgent tumble dryer recall

FlyerZoe

I have been communicating with Hotpoint over this matter and I am being told continually different stories.

Just now I have been called by ‘P’ in the call centre, someone who has no authorisation to do anything other than book a modification. P was calling me in response to the second letter I have sent in which I refused a modification. I have opted to communicate via letter, since it is impossible to reach them via the call centre number.

According to ‘P’ people are only getting new dryers if the current one they have is less than 12 months old, apparently they have a duty to replace dryers less than 12 months old. I questioned this, because I know two people who have received new dryers and the old ones removed were between 2 and just over 3 years old – P couldn’t explain why this was. I also note people on here have had replacements when the model they have is over a year old.

He also claimed stock was low, so a manager could not authorise a replacement. I questioned if stock was low how was it I was being offered the option of buying a new vented dryer for £59 or a Condenser one for £99 and that stock was showing as green on the link in the email they sent to me, again he couldn’t give me an answer. I pointed out this was clearly so they could entice people to buy a new one and make less work for themselves in the long run.

glentoran99

Flyer, if I can pass you any information from my own I will be happy to, My indesit machine was purchased in 2012 so 2+ years old, social media "harassment" got them to deal with me and booked a modification, I told them no and I wanted a new machine, this wasn't even questioned, and the new machine is much more efficient than the original


a FOI request is no good to you though that's only public bodies

FlyerZoe

glentoran99 wrote: »

Flyer, if I can pass you any information from my own I will be happy to, My indesit machine was purchased in 2012 so 2+ years old, social media "harassment" got them to deal with me and booked a modification, I told them no and I wanted a new machine, this wasn't even questioned, and the new machine is much more efficient than the original

a FOI request is no good to you though that's only public bodies

Yeah I realised that, hence why I edited the post!

In GOOD NEWS... During my call with 'P' I threatened legal action and asked for a copy / transcript of the call for my solicitor, 'P' agreed to send this out to me informing me all calls were recorded...

Just over hour later, I've had a call again from Indesit Customer Services, referring to my letter (but not the earlier phone call!), and offering me a NEW VENTED TUMBLE DRYER! I should be contacted in a few days to arrange delivery!

Perseverance is the key! Clearly the mention of legal action and wanting a copy of the telephone call for my solicitor pushed them in the right direction!

dnpark38

Got an e-mail today from them saying they are trying for a date in March but very busy doing the repair.
Like others they have offered to supply an 8kg Hotpoint but I think it is a Whirlpool rebadged condenser dryer at £99
I have a 2007 Indesit IS70C a 7kg condenser dryer a far better looking machine than this replacement offered at £99 which because it is larger capacity is a lot deeper in size and won't fit and would need modification to the kitchen.
What have other 7kg owners done where you offered something of the same size?

LiGhTfasT

Any reviews of the £99 one? I found a very similar looking model to it on amazon but it was 9kg and the review said it was very noisy...

FlyerZoe

LiGhTfasT wrote: »

Any reviews of the £99 one? I found a very similar looking model to it on amazon but it was 9kg and the review said it was very noisy...

A friend got the one currently on offer and she really likes it. I've been in her home when it is on and I can't say it is too noisy, although it is located in a cupboard under the stairs, although she leaves the door open.

dnpark38

FyerZoe I think it could be a Whirlpool special badged with Hotpoint name for this replacement offer of £99, it is ugly and cheap looking from the photo compared to my good looking Indesit.
Does your friends look cheap?
If it were in her kitchen with other appliances would it look out of place?

FlyerZoe

dnpark38 wrote: »

FyerZoe I think it could be a Whirlpool special badged with Hotpoint name for this replacement offer of £99, it is ugly and cheap looking from the photo compared to my good looking Indesit.
Does your friends look cheap?
If it were in her kitchen with other appliances would it look out of place?

My other friend got the Whirlpool one, with the back glass door at the beginning of January. It's fabulous and very quiet. It has a lot of good features, and dries quicker she says. She has 4 boys all under the age of 5 so the dryer gets a lot of use. Whirlpool are a good make, they have now bought out Hotpoint and Indesit and it is Whirlpool who have instigated the repairs / replacements because being an American company they don't want people taking legal action.

unholyangel

FlyerZoe wrote: »

Perseverance is the key! Clearly the mention of legal action and wanting a copy of the telephone call for my solicitor pushed them in the right direction!

If you're just claiming against them as the manufacturer then any such claim would - without a doubt - fail. The manufacturer would only have liability if there was death, personal injury or property damage caused by their product.

Everything they have done at present (ie modifications, warning people not to use them unattended etc) has been to limit their potential future liability. A court is not going to order them to replace machines when modifying them would have the same effect - even if the customer isn't happy about it.

dancemum

I have just received an email advising dryer will be fixed by March or I can purchase a replacement for £99.