Tumble dryer has broken one day out of warranty

MRSB

Hi all,

As in the title, my Hotpoint tumble dryer has broken one day out of its one year manufacturers warranty. I have tried ringing Hotpoint customer services as a tumble dryer breaking after just one year and a day doesn't seem like a reasonable amount of time for it to last. Customer services were less than helpful and advised me that it wasn't there problem, unless I wanted to pay £49 for an extended warranty to cover the machine for another year.

Apparently this warranty would cover me for any repairs or replacement if it could not be repaired for the next year, which on the face of it does seem more financially viable than buying another dryer for around £170+. However I can't find any information about this warranty online and don't want to throw good money after bad given that this machine hasn't lasted very well at all. I have never taken out an extended warranty previously as I've never seen the value in them until possibly now?

In case it makes a difference my (now broken) machine was one I exchanged my last dryer for (having paid a £59 fee) during the publicised tumble dryer safety recall last year.

Thanks for any wisdom!

Rolandtheroadie

What's wrong with it?

bluesnake

if you think the repair will cost you more than £49, and you are not a technically inclined person, then I would pay the £49.

phil24_7

Have you tried complaining via social media?

Silvertabby

Are you sure that the £49 extended warranty would cover a pre-policy breakdown?

As Rolandtheroadie asks, what's the problem with the dryer? A broken belt is one thing, a kaput heater or motor is another thing entirely, repairwise.

-taff

I would have told them it broke a day before the warranty.....
If you exchanged it for a new model after your initial year guarantee you can try arguing that that machine should have bee subject to a years guarantee also, which will take you past the 1 day mark.

MRSB

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies.

I rang up to report the fault thinking that the dryer was still in warranty as I could not access my emails to check and was just thinking of getting it repaired ASAP as I usually use it daily.

There was a loud buzzing when I pressed the start button, Loud enough to shock me into letting go before it was fully depressed so the drum didn't turn. I then left the machine and my Husband looked at it later on. He said that the buzzing was still present, and the drum had spun but with loud rythmic clicking sounds. He took off the top to look inside, couldn't see anything immediately wrong so he turned on the power and was about to set the machine to start again when he noticed that electricity was arcing when plugged in, even when the timer was set to 0. We have had a faulty washing machine catch fire in the past so after discovering that my Husband deemed it unfixable, well by him at least.

When I spoke to Customer services re. the extended warranty they didn't say anything about the fault not being covered as the breakage happened outside the warranty period, that was the endorsed route offered to me, but I will certainly check.

I have not complained on social media either, I'll give that a go.

Thanks for all your advice, if anyone can offer any wisdom on the above it'd be very gratefully received!

Apodemus

Doesn't sound good. You could play on the "another dangerous product" line to convince them that they don't want further bad publicity about faulty tumble driers.

Of course, since this MSE, it should be pointed out that tumble driers are the spawn of the devil, use excessive amounts of electricity, rarely necessary, bad for the planet and part of a corporate conspiracy to convince us all to fill our houses with more "stuff"... but far be it for me...;)

Grenage

Apodemus wrote: »

Of course, since this MSE, it should be pointed out that tumble driers are the spawn of the devil, use excessive amounts of electricity, rarely necessary, bad for the planet and part of a corporate conspiracy to convince us all to fill our houses with more "stuff"... but far be it for me...;)

Modern heat pump driers are quite efficient, and it beats damp clothes or a damp house.

OP: I agree with Phil, you'll probably get a different attitude on social media, complaining about a machine that broke down the second the warranty expired.

bluesnake

if you open the thing up, can you spin the drum by hand? You should feel/hear that it is attached to something like a belt.

A hum? low down mains buzz?.... bet if you turn the drum the right way quick enough, while it is turning close the door quickly and power it on while the drum is still in motion... possibly mission impossible.

Some clever booger with a sense of dare may take the top off and turn it a billionth of a second just before switching it on and the machine will start but against health and safety will not recommend this ..... Bet it is the capacitor.

you should find it on youtube. In buying a capacitor, you need the correct uf (micofarad), but any voltage the same or higher will work.

is the warranty from the date you bought it, or the date it was delivered?

youtube link. cost about £ 6 + tie rap extra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qEvZ7eb4o

even after the capacitor is discharged, do not touch the the contacts of the cap, as there may be a residual charge.

Ant555

Have you checked its not one of the 4 million Hotpoint dryers that are at risk of fire due to a defect?

https://safety.hotpoint.eu/