With Whirlpool cycle of woe spins on
JUST before Christmas Whirlpool announced the recall of certain Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines made between 2014-18.
They said consumers with an affected machine could choose between either:
A free like-for-like replacement washing machine.
A free in-home repair of their appliance.
These remedies are in accordance with the law so Whirlpool have taken the right approach.
But for many this is either too little too late or simply does not cover losses they have suffered.
A reader called Graham was told to unplug his machine and use it only for washes under 20C but not to worry as they would be out to repair it this month.
He had no washing machine at Christmas and still has no date when Whirlpool will come to his home, in Bolton, to fix it.
Another reader, Sheila, of Southend, Essex, was told the same and had no machine over Christmas. She has five children and needs a washing machine, so she bought a new one.
Adam, of North London, had an affected machine which caught fire in November. He put it out quickly but it ruined his worktop and is still waiting for a replacement.
MY ADVICE
1. Inconvenience approach in what they are offering but the law also says consumers should not be inconvenienced.
Having no washing machine over the Christmas period falls foul of this. Consumers who still have no use of their machine can go to the retailer they bought it from and demand an immediate refund.
This should be a percentage of the purchase price to take account of use or a replacement machine. 2. Expenses expenses due to not being able to use the machine. These must be reasonable and foreseeable, such as launderette charges.
3. Other losses
If you bought a new machine because you could not wait for Whirlpool my view is they should cover this cost because they have taken too long to deal with the issue. Anyone who has experienced a fire will also be entitled to compensation.
YOU can see more advice from Dean on theconsumerlawyer.blog.