Would you class a Dishwasher rack as a consumable part??

madhouse77

I have a Swan dishwasher with a 2 year warranty, and 2 very rusty Dishwasher racks, but swan are refusing to replace them as they say they are saying they are classed as a "Consumable part" ! 

Do you think it's worth taking it further? I've tried to argue the point saying I feel they are a integral part of the dishwasher and not a throwaway part also threaten threaten to take them to the ombudsman but I'm not getting any where in 3 months of emails! 

grumbler

Warranties are sort of worthless. They can say pretty much anything and are difficult to enforce.

As a consumer, you have more rights against the supplier, not the manufacturer -

• Consumer rights

And no, I wouldn't class them as 'consumables' and would expect them to last much longer than 2 years. That said, 'rusty' is a vague term and rust doesn't make them unusable.

Mickey666

I'd say a consumable part is something specifically designed to be consumed during the operation of the product.  Thus, printer ink/toner, engine oil, brake pads, dishwasher salt, detergent etc.

Unless Swan has deliberately designed their dishwasher racks to rust away during operation then I really can't see how they can justify them becoming rusty.  I've certainly never had that problem with two Bosch and one Hotpoint dishwashers over the years.

They are clearly trying it on and I'd definitely take it further.  Firstly internal within the company, through various departments all the way up to the MD/CEO, informing them that you'll be posting the photos on social media to ask the public if this poor performance is acceptable, as the company seems to think.  But keep things polite, factual and honest.

Perhaps start here with a photo of the problem so we can judge for ourselves?

getmore4less

Dishwasher racks are moving parts that do wear out with use.

The wheels and the wash arms can go first through normal use they are serviceable elements of a rack.

Over time any protective coating on the racks do wear out and the corrosion process start.
our last one had quite a few areas that were blown or worn coating but that was over 10years by the time we replaced.
 
I would suggest that if any part of the rack has started to corrode within 2 years then there is a manufacturing defect they should last a lot longer.

madhouse77

This a few photos

madhouse77

That's on one of the racks

neilmcl

That sort of thing can happen on any dishwasher when you chuck stuff in with sharp edges that can cut/break the protective plastic on the racks. As soon as that happens it will get worse and rust will form. I don't agree that racks are consumables as such but I also think you'd struggle proving that this is an inherent manufacturing fault, which you would need to do to if you choose to exercise your consumer rights. Also, your rights are with the retailer, not the manufacturer, so you'd need to go back to the original seller.

grumbler

neilmcl said:

That sort of thing can happen on any dishwasher when you chuck stuff in with sharp edges that can cut/break the protective plastic on the racks.

Usually it's hard glass-like enamel that cracks because the racks aren't rigid enough and flex. Then rust does its job from inside.

madhouse77

neilmcl said:

That sort of thing can happen on any dishwasher when you chuck stuff in with sharp edges that can cut/break the protective plastic on the racks. As soon as that happens it will get worse and rust will form. I don't agree that racks are consumables as such but I also think you'd struggle proving that this is an inherent manufacturing fault, which you would need to do to if you choose to exercise your consumer rights. Also, your rights are with the retailer, not the manufacturer, so you'd need to go back to the original seller.

A lot of the rust is on the under side so not in contact with the items it's cleaning.
I brought the Dishwasher direct from the Swan website at a cost of around £530 so wasn't cheap but the overall quality is.

Greatgimp

Consumables are available in several shops like salt, rinse aid etc. Is this rack available in most 'Wilko-style' shops? Of course they're not!

madhouse77

Greatgimp said:

Consumables are available in several shops like salt, rinse aid etc. Is this rack available in most 'Wilko-style' shops? Of course they're not!

I think we all know there not but Swan just won't have it, I even put in an official complaint but it was dealt with by the same person I was emailing so I got no where, the whole thing is very frustrating.
They say it doesn't stop it working but it does give you rust spots on your cutlery which isn't ideal.