Second hand white goods - faulty after using

bowie95

Hi, 
I thought I'd post for a little advice but probably know the answer already.

I bought a used washing machine on gumtree from a trader as I couldn't afford one new and didn't have the means to pick one up from a private seller. He delivered, installed and demonstrated the machine and it all appeared to be in working order. He also told me if there was any problems he would be happy to fix it. Once I put it on a wash the machine started to make an awful banging noise during the spin cycle, to the extent you could hear the machine from down the road. I messaged him on gumtree telling him there was a problem but he didn't get back to me despite his quick responses previously. I've messaged him on his mobile and tried to call but he has now blocked my number and I have had no reply since he left my house. I have found his home address via facebook as well as a few other details as his account is not on private, but as I am a young woman living alone I have no plans going around there despite it being five minutes from me.

I am aware that there is no way to get my refund as I paid cash in hand but is there any action I can take at all? Or any advice to resolve this? He is a sole trader so no company to contact, but I have considered writing him a letter personally. I have thought about small claims but doubt I have a case because I paid in cash.

Any advice? It's really left me in a pickle as I saved just enough for the machine and now need to pay for the launderette for the foreseeable.

Grumpy_chap

Is the machine properly levelled?

Aylesbury_Duck

And have the transit bolts been removed?

bowie95

Thanks for your replies! I paid for him to install it as he said he was also a plumber so not sure about the bolts but I'll look into it. It looks to be on a tiny bit of an angle as well but a bit nervous to test as you could hear it bouncing down the street last time it was on.

Aylesbury_Duck

If you're able to, gently pull the machine out and look at the back.  There will either be three obvious holes, three plastic plugs or three bolt heads, usually around the perimeter of the drum shape.  If it's bolt heads that are visible, there's your problem.  They need removing because they hold the drum stiffly in place when the machine is being transported and must come out to allow the drum to float on springs and absorb vibration.

Check the level.  Two or possibly all four feet will be adjustable.  Is the floor uneven? If so, feet will need adjusting to cope with that. 

bowie95

Aylesbury_Duck said:

If you're able to, gently pull the machine out and look at the back.  There will either be three obvious holes, three plastic plugs or three bolt heads, usually around the perimeter of the drum shape.  If it's bolt heads that are visible, there's your problem.  They need removing because they hold the drum stiffly in place when the machine is being transported and must come out to allow the drum to float on springs and absorb vibration.

Check the level.  Two or possibly all four feet will be adjustable.  Is the floor uneven? If so, feet will need adjusting to cope with that. 

I've checked the back and it's a metal bar with two plastic plugs but no bolts except those holding the bar.
The feet are a little uneven but not majorly so. I'll give them an adjust.

tacpot12

What make and model is the machine? There may be some more information available for the model. 

bowie95

tacpot12 said:

What make and model is the machine? There may be some more information available for the model. 

It's a WDL520 Hotpoint washer dryer. I've checked the instructions online and the transient screws have been removed and installed correctly. I'm going to adjust the feet after work today to see if that helps but I am fairly confident there is a fault with the machine. The banging is usually accompanied by a screeching sound during the spin and if you spin the drum manually when it is off it does not spin smoothly. 

Aylesbury_Duck

It's either a problem with the drum bearings or somethings got trapped in the drum. Are you missing anything? Buttons, keys, zips, ahem....bra wire?

Spank

You said he demonstrated it, did that include a spin-dry?

m-holland

Aylesbury_Duck said:

If you're able to, gently pull the machine out and look at the back.  There will either be three obvious holes, three plastic plugs or three bolt heads, usually around the perimeter of the drum shape.  If it's bolt heads that are visible, there's your problem.  They need removing because they hold the drum stiffly in place when the machine is being transported and must come out to allow the drum to float on springs and absorb vibration.

Check the level.  Two or possibly all four feet will be adjustable.  Is the floor uneven? If so, feet will need adjusting to cope with that. 

Just as an aside, its not always three. My washing machine had 5 transit bolts