Why don't they make anything like they used to??

[bella_again]

Seriously so sick of brand new stuff breaking down because its inferior quality to years gone by. I made the mistake of buying a well known brand name HE top loader, huge mistake.  It's never washed well and not even two years old takes 2 hours, sometimes longer  to do a load, skips washing sometimes and spinning other times.  Worst of all I get a better result if I hand wash 'sigh'.  Maybe I should get the stick out and start beating the washing lol!!!! Anyway got a repair man out and it won't even do a diagnostic, gets stuck on cycles and even if the power on the machine is turned off still senses for quite a while after.  The only way to reset is take the plug out of the power point for an extended time.

This machine is supposed to be middle to higher end and was not cheap.  I trusted its name brand to find it is no longer made in the country it once was, but in china. I also made the mistake of trusting a brand name I've had for years and not researching. I recently did some research and it was extremely depressing, worst machine I have ever heard of with thousands of complaints.

So why do they get away with selling this rubbish?  Vent over, I feel better you probably don't lol!

[bella_again]

Seriously so sick of brand new stuff breaking down because its inferior quality to years gone by. I made the mistake of buying a well known brand name HE top loader, huge mistake.  It's never washed well and not even two years old takes 2 hours, sometimes longer  to do a load, skips washing sometimes and spinning other times.  Worst of all I get a better result if I hand wash 'sigh'.  Maybe I should get the stick out and start beating the washing lol!!!! Anyway got a repair man out and it won't even do a diagnostic, gets stuck on cycles and even if the power on the machine is turned off still senses for quite a while after.  The only way to reset is take the plug out of the power point for an extended time.

This machine is supposed to be middle to higher end and was not cheap.  I trusted its name brand to find it is no longer made in the country it once was, but in china. I also made the mistake of trusting a brand name I've had for years and not researching. I recently did some research and it was extremely depressing, worst machine I have ever heard of with thousands of complaints.

So why do they get away with selling this rubbish?  Vent over, I feel better you probably don't lol!

[bella_again]

Chinway yep you are definitely on to something there re food quality etc I sometimes wonder if there are nutrients left in our fresh fruit and vege with all the chemicals used to ripen and the storage time of some foods. That's a whole other issue though, the world is certainly headed in a very different direction and I think it is mainly due to increased population and other economic factors.  Did you see they were saying into the future we could be eating ants and cockroach's as our main source of meat.... ewww so glad I am alive now as for future generations well we can only hope they don't have to experience that lol!!

[bella_again]

Well that was short lived only refunding 2 thirds something to do with pro rata if I want to take it further I have to go to VCAT which is an 8 month wait and I may not get any further.. I can see myself handwashing for a while yet sigh*  or spending a fair bit of time at the local laundrette!

[*elizabeths-mum*]

How long have you had it Bella? If it is less than a year or 2 ( standard warranty times and I can't remember if you got an extended warranty) does that mean they only expect their rubbish to last less than 3 or 6 years?

[cq_tech]

Sorry to hear you're still being stuffed about Bella, but no matter how much trouble it is, call their bluff and fight them all the way, with VCAT if necessary (although I'd have probably gone through the ACCC myself) as the law is on your side.

Suggest you contact http://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/repair-replace-refund as indicated by e-m in post #28.

[*elizabeths-mum*]

Just looking at the http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/warranties/store-or-manufacturer-responsibility page and they even include "Consumer guarantees apply to both. When goods fail to meet a consumer guarantee, you may also bring an action for consequential losses – compensation for your costs in time and money because something went wrong." although that might not apply but it sounds like a good idea when you add up all the time you waste while they are facing about. It sounds like the consumer affairs people have all the theory but it it isn't much use in practice.

[soul_art]

Hi bella, have to say, as annoying as washing by hand will be, I don't think accepting the 2/3 refund is a good idea.  You have been stuffed around to much and the company is trying to call your bluff I feel.

Can you ring your local paper and see if they're interested in doing a story about this?  I'm sure there are many people who are also sick and tired of things not lasting/not meeting advertised standards.

I wouldn't normally think of doing something like that but the company you're dealing with need a kick up the bleep !

[bella_again]

Thanks guys I did lodge a claim with consumer affairs but this in my situation at present seems to be the best outcome.  I don't have the energy to carry this on another 8 months there are too many other things in my life that are going on that I need to pour my energy into. 2/3 is better than dumping the thing which I nearly did.

On the up side Whirlpool no longer make top loaders so hopefully no one else will have to face this nightmare with the design flaws.

Although looking at the reviews on their front loaders isn't very promising either.  Anyway someone will apparently pick up the machine and then organise the refund.

I am currently researching the best option I can find for my next machine.  I am not sure whether to buy a machine that is resellable in 12 months while I save for a good one or whether I should handwash for another month or two and buy a good one outright.  Problem is it does my back injury no good at all!!  Gosh I'm turning into a whinger, that just won't do lol!!!

[**meep**]

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@bella_again wrote:

Well that was short lived only refunding 2 thirds something to do with pro rata if I want to take it further I have to go to VCAT which is an 8 month wait and I may not get any further.. I can see myself handwashing for a while yet sigh*  or spending a fair bit of time at the local laundrette!

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Is that what Consumer Affairs advised you?

[bella_again]

Yes they did I opened a case with them.  They said I could take it to VCAT but would be 8 months time due to the waiting lists. I could have fought harder but the machine is only just under warranty anyway. SO it is a reasonable offer given the time thats lapsed.  CA did try to get more out of them but they wouldn't budge.

[**meep**]

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@bella_again wrote:

Yes they did I opened a case with them.  They said I could take it to VCAT but would be 8 months time due to the waiting lists. I could have fought harder but the machine is only just under warranty anyway. SO it is a reasonable offer given the time thats lapsed.  CA did try to get more out of them but they wouldn't budge.

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hmm....well, considering they make their decison based on what is presented by both sides and the decision is supposed to be fair and reasonable, i would probably just go with it.  going further would  probably be more trouble than its worth. 

For future reference, and I really hope you won't have any more problems, but if you notice something not working right from the start, don't bother with having it repaired.   Demand a replacement or a refund.