Hotpoint Warranty / replacement issues

plumfin

Hi all

I have a Hotpoint Washer dryer which has a constant sensor over heating error. In itself, I accept that machines do have errors, and do go wrong. However, this is my 4th Hotpoint washer dryer in the last 12 months.

Timeline is;

Sep 2016; machine 1 delivered , to replace an old machine that could not be fixed. Supplied by domestic and general under extended warranty. Machine constantly didn’t work and had F13 error every time I tried to dry clothes. Engineers attended 5 or 6 times and each time said I was imagining it. Eventually they accepted machine was faulty.

March 2017; new model machine 2 supplied by D&G. Developed exact same error F13 was declared unfixable in August 2017

July 2017; Hotpoint supply machine 3, newer model. Same fault within 2 washes. They agreed to replace with same model

Aug 2017; machine 4 arrived from Hotpoint. Same model. I start getting the same error immediately but sporadically now. Hotpoint engineer has reset some bits, ordered others and told me that this error code is a severe overheating on the dryer sensor and that they are starting to see many complaints on this. The machine is now jumping in the kitchen, unbalanced and so loud you have to leave to room to hear yourself talk.

Today; Hotpoint are still insisting they try to repair machine 4 or potentially replace it for machine 5. I have told them I want a full refund and I will go elsewhere as frankly, Hotpoint and over heating scare me senseless. I have lost all confidence in them
And their products.

However my problem is that the original machine 1 was supplied by D&G, as a replacement. Domestic and general are more than happy to provide a non Hotpoint replacement but I can’t get Hotpoint to agree.

Does anyone know my rights on this? Who is the party I need to push on this?

Many thanks indeed as always for any help and suggestions.

unholyangel

I'm assuming since you haven't mentioned a retailer that the machine itself was supplied by D&G rather than a voucher/payout for you to buy a replacement?

I'm just clarifying as I believe that could be troublesome especially when coupled by the replacement from hotpoint. Its early where I am just now so my mind isn't fully awake and I may be missing something but if so, I believe you may not have consumer rights for the machine as you haven't paid any consideration for it. You paid consideration for the service of insuring your old appliance, but didnt for the replacement (and consideration cannot be past/something that already occurred/an existing obligation). Normally replacement under warranty cannot restrict or remove your statutory rights but if no contract for the goods, no statutory rights for the goods.

However, stick with D&G - and personally I'd avoid mentioning consumer rights for now. If I needed to imply why they should have responsibility for it, I'd simply say that the faulty goods were supplied under contract with them. Given an extended warranty is essentially insurance, you should be able to open a complaint with the financial ombudsman should D&G refuse to budge. No guarantee of success but it gives you another avenue to explore (and will cost you nothing except a bit of time) should you need it.

plumfin

Thanks v much , makes sense and to be honest, is what I am concerned about. You are right, machine 1 was a free warranty replacement fron D&G.

I will push Hotpoint to write mine off then D&G are happy to provide another manufacturer.

Thanks for your advice.

Plum

seashore22

Just for future reference and other readers, I would say that washer dryers are prone to all sorts of problems and I would never buy one again.

We also have a Hotpoint washer dryer and it's the only appliance that we have an extended warranty on (with D and G) because of how unreliable it is. It only stopped breaking down when we stopped user the dryer. As a washing machine it was fine.

Funnily enough we have the engineer coming out tomorrow to replace just about every part in the machine and I suspect it's nearing the end of it's life now.