My brand new washing machine is rusty after only 15 months - what can I do about it??

Mics_chick

I've never posted on this board before so please be gentle with me

I've got an Ariston washer that I bought from Currys in mid-September 2006.
The other day I noticed it was leaking from the bottom of the door...
I let that load finish and when I opened the door I noticed that it was actually quite rusty in one very small area at the bottom of the opening (not the door but the actual washer itself) which is obviously where it was leaking from.

My problem is that it is out of the standard 1 year guarantee and I haven't got an extended one coz I believe they're a waste of money usually... well you don't expect a washer to rust SOOOOO quickly

So who do I approach about this - is it Currys or Ariston ? ...and do I have a leg to stand on when complaining about the rust???

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who could offer me any advice about this.
Gail

foreversummer

Hi Mics_chic

I do believe that you have a leg to stand on so do have hope.

I remember that someone kindly pointed out on one of these boards that there is a clause in the Sale of Goods Act that mentions that items are expected to have a reasonable life span. I would have thought that a washing machine would be expected to last longer than you have had it. (Someone with more knowledge will hopefully come along soon . . . . .).

I think it is Ariston that you should contact, but probably worth getting some info about the Sale of Goods Act first. Maybe even contact your CAB as they should hopefully be able to tell you.

Not suggesting that when you contact Ariston you go in all guns blazing - you never know they may be good about it and offer to put it right.

Let us know how you get on.

And welcome to the boards of course.

Foreversummer

singhford

I would recommend complaining directly to the Currys customer service number which should be on your receipt. Explain that the washing machine is not of 'merchantable quality' and hence not fit the purpose it was bought for. What should happen next is that Currys should organise a visit from the relevent Ariston service engineer to confirm the details of the fault. From what you said given the age of the product this should make them either fully repair or replace the machine free of charge. The inital warrantly term is irrelevent if the goods are not fit the purpose under the sales of goods act. Do not let them fob you off with going back to Ariston as it was Currys who sold you the product not Ariston. The only way they would not sort this out for is if the machine has been mistreated in any way eg. You have damaged it through mis use rather than normal wear and tear. There is no way that a washing machine should fail in such a way in the short period of time you have owned it. If you need further advice reply back via the forum.

dld2s

May be a idea to put the model number of your machine through a search engine like google and see if there is any other complaints regards this happening, could help strengthen your case, slthough frankly I think it's quite strong as it is, as a earlier poster stateda washing machine should last longer than 15 months (not 100% sure but I believe the average life is 5 years)

Mics_chick

I have rung Currys about this and they've said that I need to get an independent service engineer to take a look at it and repair if applicable and then they decide whether to reimburse it or not.
As the problem is rust on the actual main housing a repair isn't an option IMO so then Currys said they either reimburse or issue vouchers dependent on how long I've had it which they said will be the purchase value or very close to it as it's only 3mths out of the standard year's warranty.

I'm not happy with this though coz I can't afford to fork out money for an engineer that I might or might not get back in several weeks or even months time...

Anyone had a similar experience or got any advice???

vansboy

There was similar to this (fridge/freezer, cant recall make) featured on our local BBC radio consumer programme.

Think they got either new doors, or machine, it was sorted, though.

You might ring the station, between 11am-2pm weekdays. Talk to Stephen Rhodes. It will be on air & doesnt matter if you're not in Beds/Herts/Bucks.

They are really good & fair, but the important thing is NOT TO MENTION any company/bramd names!!

08459455555 www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties - you can email first, if you like!

VB

SotightIsqueak

Hi, I have had the same problem - so done the research!, here is the relevant bit and links to support.

My "argument" was based around resonable life expectancy - which was not acheived due to faulty design -good luck.:beer:

Some frequently asked questions
Q. I bought a fridge/freezer about eighteen months ago, and the freezer section has completely failed. I went back to the shop, but they refused to do anything as it was outside the original twelve-month guarantee. What are my rights?
A. If the time limit has expired on the guarantee then you have no claim under the guarantee. However, if you can show that the goods were not of satisfactory quality at the time of sale i.e. they were not as durable as it is reasonable to expect, then you may have a claim against the trader or finance company (if applicable) for compensation under the Sale of Goods Act.
Source: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/calitem.cgi?file=ADV0054-1111.txt

The long version of life expectancy for appliances
http://www.product-life.org

and when you are bored of that

The shorter version!
http://www.demesne.info/Home-Maintenance/Appliance-Life-Expectancy.htm

Pennylane

Gail - please don't take this the wrong way BUT there are quite a lot of issues here. I just think that sometimes we need to look at the other side of the coin.

1. You've had your machine 15 months and until now it's been fine. So you've had all those months when it has been "fit for the purpose" - ie washing your clothes .... no problem.

2. You say it's "leaking" - this can vary from like a "teardop" to a flood.

3. Some people keep their washing machines in damp places, cold places or outhouses where they are more likely to go rusty.

4. Some people live in very "active" households where appliances get bashed, kicked, run into etc. - again, one good bash and rust sets in.

5. Some people abuse their machine and will NOT read instructions! My DH has been to machines where the customer has literally forced so many clothes in the machine that the poor drumm cannot turn. But it is NOT their fault!!:rolleyes: "That machine is only 6 months old & it's not good enough".:rolleyes: DH carries scales on his van now and they can't argue when he pulls out sometimes 3 TIMES the weight that the book recommends.

I'm not saying any of these apply to you but this is what the supplier will be taking into account. Your first point of call is with the supplier.

HugoSP

I would have thought that the retailer would be wise to organise an engineers report.

You may be better off with the manufacturer.

It is clear that the sale of goods act is being breeched here. Most muppets who work in CS depts have absoutely no idea about the SOGA, and follow company guidelines that are written in the hope that the customer has no idea about it either.

We had a problem with a LEC fridge freezer where the door fell off after 4 years. We contacted LEC who took the model number then arranged for an engineer to come out and replace the door free of charge.

When the engineer arrived he did comment that several of these units had had the same problem.

Pennylane

Hugo - that was very good service from LEC then! I would love to see more praise on here for when firms do give good service.

My DH for example replaces stuff immediately if its still under guarantee - providing, of course that the appliance has been used as it should be. He also very often replaces items that are out of guarantee (not years out though!).

I really believe that most firms are honest and do their best to ensure that the customer is satisfied. Unfortunately a lot of consumers are not and will try every trick in the book to get "something for nothing" or some money off.

I know someone who complains after every single holiday she has (even if it's perfect) about the hotel, the food or the flights. She also complains about everything she ever buys for her home - conservatory, carpet, vacuum cleaner, she complains about vets bills, dentists bills and food she buys. It is all totally made up and I think it is SO unfair!:mad:

Same as people who take things back to shops, slam them down on the counter and say "these light bulbs are rubbish" and then you quietly point out that they really should be speaking to British Home Stores since their name is on the bulb!!:rotfl: :rotfl: