Smeg induction hob rusty after 18 months

tightauldgit

Alderbank said:

If the OP can obtain sufficient evidence to counter the seller's claim that it is user damage and decides to go to small claims court, what quantum of claim should he ask for?

Assuming the appliance works OK, this is cosmetic damage. Should he get a quote for a tradesman to sand away the rust and repaint with enamel paint or would he be justified in claiming the cost of a new one (£699) minus 2 years use plus removal and fitting, say a total of £700?

Would Boots be more willing to settle for a claim of say £50 for a repair than £700 for a bit of rust?

I think that would also probably come from an independent report - they should be advising of steps/cost to put it right and whether it's repairable or needs replacing. Basically you're looking at bringing it back to whatever condition a 2 year old hob should be in that didn't have this problem. I would imagine that replacing it is probably the answer but I'm no expert. 

Cheery_Daff

Thank you all, it's been so helpful to read through your replies, very much appreciate the time you've taken. 

You've answered my question anyway - it looks like there isn't a strong case without an independent report, and given it's still functional and the length of time it's been, I think pursuing that isn't a good use of my time and energy right now. I might try to get that £50 voucher converted to cash, as suggested, but I won't hold my breath.

Annoying, because I still think a Smeg hob shouldn't be looking like that at this point, but I've learned my lesson on that front! 

I might make a brief attempt at a local repairer, but we're pretty rural and it's a nuisance getting anyone to repair anything round here, so it will probably be going the way of many things in this house - DIY repair by me.  I shall take great delight in peeling off the stupid Smeg logo 😂

Thanks again - aside from your good advice, you've made me laugh at the unlikely prospect of anything in this house being excessively scrubbed 😂

pinkshoes

Cheery_Daff said:

Thank you all, it's been so helpful to read through your replies, very much appreciate the time you've taken. 

You've answered my question anyway - it looks like there isn't a strong case without an independent report, and given it's still functional and the length of time it's been, I think pursuing that isn't a good use of my time and energy right now. I might try to get that £50 voucher converted to cash, as suggested, but I won't hold my breath.

Annoying, because I still think a Smeg hob shouldn't be looking like that at this point, but I've learned my lesson on that front! 

I might make a brief attempt at a local repairer, but we're pretty rural and it's a nuisance getting anyone to repair anything round here, so it will probably be going the way of many things in this house - DIY repair by me.  I shall take great delight in peeling off the stupid Smeg logo 😂

Thanks again - aside from your good advice, you've made me laugh at the unlikely prospect of anything in this house being excessively scrubbed 😂

Personally I'd still get an independent report done. It shouldn't cost much and if it shows an inherent fault then the retailer will have to repair/replace/refund (their choice).

Given the rust is right next to the dials, then there is NO WAY it is caused by a pan being slid across it!! So it's not going to be hard to prove that it wasn't fit for purpose.

born_again

cannugec5 said:

Even if you did slide, rather than lift,  pans on this hob I fail to see how you could do so in such close proximity to the knobs. 

Simple. Once the surface is broken it will continue to get worse. So damage away from switches will work round till it reaches them, as heat & water will work to lift it off.

Think of it like rust that starts due to a stone chip on a car, leave it & it gets worse & worse as it works on the metal under the paint. 👍

Halsall_girl

I had exactly the same rust issues with my cream Smeg hob and oven door.  The hob started rusting after about 6 months.  I contacted Smeg and after the same questions - ie what did you clean it with - they did send a replacement top for the hob and arranged for it to be fitted, but I had to sign to agree that would be the end of it.  However, 6 months later, the bottom of the oven started rusting and the replaced hob did the same.  Both oven and hob still work fine, but they look dreadful and are not easy to clean.  Considering the price I paid for them, it makes me so angry.  

Aylesbury_Duck

Halsall_girl said:

I had exactly the same rust issues with my cream Smeg hob and oven door.  The hob started rusting after about 6 months.  I contacted Smeg and after the same questions - ie what did you clean it with - they did send a replacement top for the hob and arranged for it to be fitted, but I had to sign to agree that would be the end of it.  However, 6 months later, the bottom of the oven started rusting and the replaced hob did the same.  Both oven and hob still work fine, but they look dreadful and are not easy to clean.  Considering the price I paid for them, it makes me so angry.  

Presumably that agreement applied only to the hob top?  Surely you didn't sign away all your consumer and warranty rights after just six months?  Why can't you go back to them about the bottom of the oven?