Advice re washing machines

[redbird]

My wife has something hidden away in a cupboard in the kitchen called a "washing machine", I don't know if you've heard of them but it is some sort of electrical item. However it seems whatever it is supposed to do it doesn't do it any more and she needs a new one.

My question is rather than go to my local currys/comet, if I buy online (cheaper) and it goes wrong during the guarantee period, what happens do you have to arrange to send it back for repair at your cost which sounds expensive rather than just call into the local store if you bought it locally and get them to fix it?


Thanks

Dave

 

[ratboy]

I bought mine from the Co-op up the road. Got a basic model. Cheap enough, they delivered it and fitted it free.

Think the trick is get something simple. Do you need a washing machine with a pre-timer on? less to go wrong and cheaper. Also there are usually display models on offer. Just remember to take the instruction booklet out before doing the first wash.......:roll:

 

[redbird]

unfortunately the words "basic model" and "cheap" don't exists in my wife's vocabularly, whereas they are in everyday use in mine.

I don't really understand why she needs one anyway, she already has a dishwasher and that works OK, doesn't that do the same thing?

 

[ratboy]

Yes it does. But it doesn't work the other way round.

 

[monaghan]

My question is rather than go to my local currys/comet, if I buy online (cheaper) and it goes wrong during the guarantee period, what happens do you have to arrange to send it back for repair at your cost which sounds expensive rather than just call into the local store if you bought it locally and get them to fix it?

Most guarantee work tends to be done in the home by a 3rd party repair company rather than sending it back, so you should be safe wherever you buy from (check the small print )

The store may well be quite concerned if you return a washing machine to them for repair, we took a broken dish washer back to Comet a number of years ago and they were totally confused as to what to do with it! They told me to take it home and call the repairer but when I made a fuss they did get it repaired

 

[Skinner]

Find it in a local store (comet/currys) an then see if you can get John Lewis to apply their 'Never Undersold' policy to it and get a 5 year warranty on it for the same price aas the store

I did on the last few electricals I bought.

Washing machine wise, the important stuff is the KG and the W power, the bigger the KG more you can fit in, like we had a 6kg I think or 6.5kg a don't remember the exact number but the duvet wouldn't fit in, so we ended up going to the laundrette with it.

The last one we got 7.5kg and the duvets fit in it fine. I'm not convinced over 1400w is needed but apparently the higher the W the dryer your clothes are, and better washed they are because the drum can turn easier.

 

[packeted]

Try pixmania, they're pretty cheap and I believe they're part of Curry's anyway. If I were you I'd get a Bosch, reliable and efficient machines and durable machines. Bosch itself is owned by a Charitable trust believe it or not so an ethical choice too!

 

[monaghan]

spin speed is an issue, many of the cheaper ones will jump about with very high spin speeds, also it can spin too fast an cause problems when ironing (not sure what this process is, but both the wife and mother seem to do it after using the washing machine, so I presume it is part of the normal cycle from hall floor to wardrobe!)

 

[redbird]

Wife knows what features she wants (prefer not to get involved in that), have had a Bosch previously and current is AEG and must admit has had a hard life (3 kids).

I was planning on letting wife select a few possibles from local store (with a budget) then do some price compare checks an prob buy online, my main concern was what happens if I bought online and it goes wrong in guarantee period. The 5 year guarantee sounds interesting, so I'll definately look into that.

 

[deconstruction]

comets website prices can sometimes be MUCH cheaper than in store (and you can get delviery or collect in store)

 

[Rob_F]

Another vote here for Bosch - reasonably priced and reliable.

- Rob

 

[ELIFE-MZ]

Got one thru John Lewis - called them around few times and one day after over 4 years it decided to fallover proper. They gave me a credit note for the purchase price I had paid and said go back to our store and get another one. You pay a little more but well worth the after sales service.

 

[bb99]

Concur the comments made by others - always found Bosch to be excellent and also try and do the 5 year warranty jobby with John Lewis.

 

[afx]

Do the rounds at your local curries / comet and look for a bargain, you will normally find a few that have a slight cosmetic mark on them that carry good discounts. I managed to get an RRP £675 Siemens high end washer with a barely noticeable scratch for £425 and that was before the recession bit.

 

[liam]

highly recommended

id highly recommend , LG Direct Drive washing machine 10YEAR Warranty.
its really quick cheap to run ,

Review ,
Need clean clothes in 20 minutes? LG's Steam Direct Drive washing machine can deliver : Tech Digest

Cheapest price :
LG Black 9kg Steam Washing Machine F1402FDS6 - LG Washing Machines from Appliance City

 

[scooter]

Warranty:
They are all the same now. You contact the manufacturer direct. If it is not one of their own people (very rare now) it will be a local repair agent sub contracted.

Prices:
I highly recommend you check the price of whatever machine you decide to purchase here: Kitchen Science

I think you will be plesantly surprised.

We have ordered a few major appliances off them and they have never let us down. (Always delivered on the stated date. Uplifted old goods, etc.)

.

 

[redbird]

Thanks everyone, some great advice ready to look now.

 

[retired_member16]

White goods are so cheap now is there any point buggering about.

Go to Currys and buy one. If it last 2 years then you have had a result. If it goes wrong after that time just scrap it and buy a new one.

If it goes wrong in that time (and I have never had any electrical item go wrong for me) then just call them and they come out to fix it.

 

[crabfoot]

There are bargains to be had in the "slightly scratched and dinted" line, and you may be lucky enough to be near a shop that specialises in such things.

A tip from a man in one such shop (in Denham) - Siemens washers are made in Spain, but are internally identical to Bosch. Just as reliable, but cheaper.

 

[aZooZa]

Get a Chinese wife...