Buying a new large appliance?

[Mr Wrench]

I learnt this the hard way today so I'd thought I'd share this.

I ordered a washing machine from a large well known catalogue store chain a few days ago. The order was taken over the phone. The order was to have the old washer taken away and the new one plumbed in by the delivery man.

Today the new washer was delivered as promised but the delivery man refused to remove the old washer and plumb in the new. His reason was that the old washer was still plumbed in. He said that I should have been informed at time of order (which I wasn't ). He said this happens all the time, the office taking the orders will never tell you about disconnecting the old machine.

So I have had to disconnect the old and plumb in myself. Not difficult but not what I ordered. I now also have an old machine to dispose of and its not going to fit in the car (a Micra)!

I complained bitterly to the office. They said they would send me a cheque for £15 for the hastle.

I'm not a happy customer!!!

 

[TexMex]

Welcome Mr. Wrench. I think you should take this opportunity to name and shame your supplier. I'm guessing a big chainstore of some kind. The local family firms are generally far more accomodating, and quite often very much cheaper.

 

[Mr Wrench]

Hi TexMex

Lets just say the company name has 5 letters. Starts with A and ends with S. They've had a long run of TV adverts recently.

 

[breezer]

is it worth calling your local council to see if they will take it away for you? (ours will)

 

[fido]

If your Council is one of those that charges for special refuse collections you can try ringing local repair engineers or shops that sell recon. washers and see if they want to take your old one for spares.

 

[Mr Wrench]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. In the end I've booked the council to take it away for £10.

 

[Steve]

i used to work in an argos store, their till system is very good at informing cashiers what they have to tell customers. The till prompts such things as "dont forget the batteries" and "not to be sold to under 15/18/12s" etc. Also informs about home delivery.

Sounds like you ordered this over the phone though. tsk.