Hotpoint washer broke after 14 months

cheeky

hi, short story - Purchased hotpoint washer dryer October 2006. Breaks down Dec 2007. Pay hotpoint nearly £100 to fix (the motherboard melted and also destroyed the wiring loom) Read on https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk that it is a common problem within this certain hotpoint/indesit chassis

So write a letter asking for £100 refund as goods had "design flaw" - Indesit replied saying its "difficult to put a life expectancy on individual parts" so no they cannot consider it

Next steps or am i flogging a dead horse? £100 is alot of money!

hollydays

How long was the guarantee? How much did you pay for it? The problem as I understand it is that customers want a washer/dryer combo,but those in the trade say the two do not really go together,hence some problems.Expecting a manufacturer to admit to a design flaw is not realistic,IMHO.

Re:washer dryers,Whitegoods buying guide says "We do not advise you buying one,but if you have to, read this.."etc.

cheeky

the guarantee was 1 year, it broke after 14 months. It was over £400 so wasnt the cheapest one out there.

I know that washer dryers are not as reliable as washers but we have 2 young boys and its a necessity. Either way, you would expect it to last greater than 14 months. And it wasnt a mechanical fault - it was a electrical fire.

Is there not a clause in EU law re 2 year warranty minimum? Or have we abstained from that?

setmefree2

Thanks for sharing that - feel sorry for you that's pants....I'll avoid hot point:money:

taxiphil

Sounds like you've been barking up the wrong tree by going after the manufacturer.

It's the retailer who's legally responsible under the Sale of Goods Act. They should definitely repair or replace it free of charge after only 14 months, especially as it's such an expensive model. The SoGA covers you for up to 6 years.

Don't take any notice of guarantees/warranties - your legal rights under the SoGA are all that matter.

Brooker_Dave

cheeky wrote: »

hi, short story - Purchased hotpoint washer dryer October 2006. Breaks down Dec 2007. Pay hotpoint nearly £100 to fix (the motherboard melted and also destroyed the wiring loom) Read on www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk that it is a common problem within this certain hotpoint/indesit chassis

So write a letter asking for £100 refund as goods had "design flaw" - Indesit replied saying its "difficult to put a life expectancy on individual parts" so no they cannot consider it

Next steps or am i flogging a dead horse? £100 is alot of money!

£100 does not seem much of a bill for a what must have been quite a big repair...

pinkshoes

I agree with taxiphil, that your contract is with the shop you bought it from, as under the sale of goods act, they have to offer you a free repair or replacement for what is considered a reasonable shelf life of a washer/dryer.

I'd expect a washer/dryer to last for at least 3 years!!

Go back to the shop and explain the situation, and if they're uncooperative (which will no doubt be the case), then write to the managing director and ask for a refund.

Because you've already paid this £100, I'm not sure where you stand in getting it back, as your original port of call should have been with the shop and not with Hotpoint.

Pound

You can claim the £100 back from the retailer, the SOGA allows you to claim compensation for the cost of repairs. However, because it's older than 6 months the retailer can require you to provide proof that there was a manufacturing fault. This usually involves asking a qualified engineer to inspect the item and put this in writing which you can present to the retailer.

You should speak to the retailer first and see exactly what they want you to do.

lemmings999

Dont think they can claim it back off the retailer if they went to hotpoint first as it should have been reported to the retailer first who then would have been responsible, as far as i'm aware you cannot just get something repaired then claim the money back as the retailer would have been entitled to inspect the unit and used engineers of their choise, ie thier own or hotpoint may have a contract with the retailer where they charge them less for the repair

Pound wrote: »

You can claim the £100 back from the retailer, the SOGA allows you to claim compensation for the cost of repairs. However, because it's older than 6 months the retailer can require you to provide proof that there was a manufacturing fault. This usually involves asking a qualified engineer to inspect the item and put this in writing which you can present to the retailer.

You should speak to the retailer first and see exactly what they want you to do.

Pound

lemmings999 wrote: »

Dont think they can claim it back off the retailer if they went to hotpoint first as it should have been reported to the retailer first who then would have been responsible, as far as i'm aware you cannot just get something repaired then claim the money back as the retailer would have been entitled to inspect the unit and used engineers of their choise, ie thier own or hotpoint may have a contract with the retailer where they charge them less for the repair

The SOGA specifically states where there is a breach of contract, the buyer may "maintain an action against the seller for damages", which in my view means the buyer has the option of getting repairs done and claiming damages.

IANAL

hollydays

I hope the retailer can sort it out for you.Was it a national company or smaller retailer? Have you spoken to them at all?