2½ year old washing machine beyond economical repair.

NeilDeWheel · 17 May 2019 at 11:57AM

Hi All,

I bought a Zanussi washer/dryer from Curries Online at the end of Oct. 2016 at a cost of £489. The bearings have now gone and after calling out Zanussi (Electrolux) the have deemed it beyond economical repair as the drum needs replacing.

I find this disgusting that such an expensive item should be scrap after only 2½ years. Have i any recourse against Curries under the Consumer Rights Act as I feel a, nearly, £500 machine shouldn't be scrap after such a short time?

Also, when I booked the Zanussi engineer to come out I specifically stated I wanted the machine inspected to see if it was a manufacturing fault. The operator told me to tell that to the engineer but the engineer said he wouldn't be able to tell and didn't even attempt to open the machine to check. Would I be due a refund from Zanussi as I didn't get the inspection I asked for?

Thanks in advance,
NDW.

Browntoa · 17 May 2019 at 11:59AM

If it's a sealed drum and bearing assembly then there is nothing to check

BoGoF · 17 May 2019 at 12:08PM

Did you pay for the engineer to come out? If this was just a call out fee then no refund due.

Bearings are a wear and tear item and go go through constant use and/or overloading the machine.

Aylesbury_Duck · 17 May 2019 at 12:17PM

You haven't given enough information to determine if it's a premature failure or not. 2.5 years might be a perfectly reasonable lifespan if the machine's had heavy use over that time, or it might be unreasonable for a machine used just once or twice a week.

As BoGoF says, it may be wear and tear. How often did you use it and were you careful to stick to the loading requirements? There's nothing stopping you from getting an independent inspection of the bearings and if that suggests there was an inherent fault you have something to go back to Currys with. After 2.5 years they have the choice to replace, repair or offer a refund, deducting an amount to reflect your use over the last 2.5 years.

JJ_Egan · 17 May 2019 at 1:02PM

OP bear in mind circa £60 inspection fee ( Currys may accept enginneers report or not ).

Whats a 2/ 3 year old washing machine worth on a refund basis £150 ??£200 .

Manxman_in_exile · 17 May 2019 at 1:10PM

Are you only asking about a refund for the "non-inspection" or are you also asking about a remedy from Currys? Your post isn't clear.

What have Currys offered so far?

Jumblebumble · 17 May 2019 at 1:41PM

NeilDeWheel wrote: »

Hi All,

I bought a Zanussi washer/dryer from Curries Online at the end of Oct. 2016 at a cost of £489. The bearings have now gone and after calling out Zanussi (Electrolux) the have deemed it beyond economical repair as the drum needs replacing.

I find this disgusting that such an expensive item should be scrap after only 2½ years. Have i any recourse against Curries under the Consumer Rights Act as I feel a, nearly, £500 machine shouldn't be scrap after such a short time?

Also, when I booked the Zanussi engineer to come out I specifically stated I wanted the machine inspected to see if it was a manufacturing fault. The operator told me to tell that to the engineer but the engineer said he wouldn't be able to tell and didn't even attempt to open the machine to check. Would I be due a refund from Zanussi as I didn't get the inspection I asked for?

Thanks in advance,
NDW.

I would not mess around further and would simply send a letter before action to Currys followed by a Small claims summons

What sort of repair did you book from Zanussi?

Their Fixed price repair on the website promises
One agreed, fixed fee for the repair - no surprises
Our approved engineers offer a fast, professional service - ready to fix your appliance quickly and get your home running smoothly again in one visit
Well paying for an engineer to not fix is a surprise
The Repair and care promises
If we can’t fix your initial fault, we’ll refund any monies paid up until that point
I would be charging this back if you paid on credit or debit card or small claims court if not
There is no way on earth I would be tolerating this type of nonsense
My prediction is that issue of a small claims summons will get you settled without you having to go anywhere near a court

JumbleBumble

motorguy · 17 May 2019 at 1:46PM

When i read the title i thought to myself "i bet its not a washing machine, its a washer dryer". Lo and behold...

They are unreliable pigs of things. We had a hotpoint one and it basically burnt out every year - 18 months needing either a drum, set of weights, ECU board, or on one occasion the whole lot.

Fortunately we had insurance on it, but we eventually gave up and sold it.

BoGoF · 17 May 2019 at 1:56PM

Jumblebumble wrote: »

I would not mess around further and would simply send a letter before action to Currys followed by a Small claims summons
JumbleBumble

Nonsence 'advice'

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head · 17 May 2019 at 2:15PM

BoGoF wrote: »

Nonsence 'advice'

Why so?

The retailer is required to provide a remedy, with a sealed part in a £500 washing machine failing after just 2 and half years and the manufacturers report to confirm, that's what I'd be doing.

Sure the OP can contact Currys but they are known for being rubbish, just kill 2 birds and do the complaint and letter before action in one.

Claim for the cost of the report/call out and the value of the machine minus it's use against it's expect lifespan.

I'm pretty such the manufacturer wouldn't be telling the public their £500 machines are designed to last just 2 and half years.

The other poster is also correct that Currys will likely resolve without going to court and sending the letter saves dealing with the waffle Currys customer service will spout in an attempt to fob off the OP.

BoGoF · 17 May 2019 at 2:36PM

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

Why so?

The retailer is required to provide a remedy, with a sealed part in a £500 washing machine failing after just 2 and half years and the manufacturers report to confirm, that's what I'd be doing.

Sure the OP can contact Currys but they are known for being rubbish, just kill 2 birds and do the complaint and letter before action in one.

Claim for the cost of the report/call out and the value of the machine minus it's use against it's expect lifespan.

I'm pretty such the manufacturer wouldn't be telling the public their £500 machines are designed to last just 2 and half years.

The other poster is also correct that Currys will likely resolve without going to court and sending the letter saves dealing with the waffle Currys customer service will spout in an attempt to fob off the OP.

So on what basis are Cuurys obliged to provide a remedy?

They may do but onis is on OP to prove inherent fault which they have noy done as yet.

As has been said several things can cause bearings to fail, excessive use, excessive loading.

2½ year old washing machine beyond economical repair.

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