Consumer Advice May 2010
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Appliance science
Home appliances cost a small
fortune - there's the time it takes to choose an item, the
actual purchase price and the cost of the extended warranty if you
go for it... So how many years' use should you expect for your
investment and can you extend the life expectancy by looking after
your appliances?
Who's at fault?
Under the Sale of Goods Act (SOGA), you should expect anything you
buy to be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory
quality. There are no hard and fast rules as to how long an item
should last but you have six years under UK law (five in Scotland),
to take a retailer to court after the initial purchase if needs be.
If it's outside guarantee and you don't have an extended
warranty, go back to the retailer - not the manufacturer - and
state your case. Don't be fobbed off and remember your SOGA
rights. Give them a fair chance to help but if they won't,
you'll need to make a small claim, see below.
If the appliance breaks down within the first six to 12 months, it's usually deemed to have an inherent fault - that is, something there from manufacture - and the retailer should get it repaired, replaced or refunded - their choice - without a problem. It will usually be under guarantee at this point and you'll need proof of purchase - the receipt or a bank statement - as you will at any time, to get things moving.
Don't think a fault is all the retailer's responsibility
though; you should take reasonable care of the appliance, using it
according to the manufacturers' instructions and carrying out
any specified maintenance care. If you don't and it breaks down
earlier than expected, and the retailer can show it was due to your
lack of care, you'll have to pay out for what was possibly an
entirely preventable problem.
Top maintenance tips
Bear these tips in mind when you use your appliances to help keep
them in top condition
Fridge
- If water accumulates in the bottom of the fridge,
the drainer tube may be blocked. At the back of the fridge, two
channels go into a V and in the middle is a small pipe. Gently push
a bent coat hanger or similar into the pipe to clear it.
- Food and drink spilt on door seals can damage them, so wipe off
with a clean, soft cloth as soon as you notice them.
Freezer
- Frost build up stops the freezer working efficiently so twice a
year, defrost it then clean and dry it out. Take the contents out
and wrap in newspaper to keep them cool, then turn the machine off
or onto defrost. An ice scaping tool will help make it quicker -
and is a lot easier than dealing with dripping water.
- Gently vacuum dust away from the back of the freezer (or fridge)
a couple of times a year. Dirt and dust trapped on the condenser
coils stop it working efficiently.
Washing machine
- Empty all pockets - allowing coins and screws to
get into the drum can damage the machine. On spin they may get
punched into - the usually plastic - outer drum which will need to
be replaced.
- Don't wash heavy single items like bath mats on their own.
They tend to clump to one side of the drum on spinning, which could
lead to damage. Add a couple of towels to balance the load out.
Dryer
- Keep the machine running well by cleaning the lint filter after
every couple of uses and if the instructions state that you
shouldn't wash it, vacuum it gently every six months.
- Check that the vent hose isn't damaged and has no kinks in
it. Make sure there are no obstructions on the outside wall and fit
a screen over the outlet to make sure small animals don't get
in!
Dishwasher
- Get rid of greasy scum and the possibility of a blocked drain by
running the dishwasher for a short cycle once every other month. It
should be empty except for a cup of white vinegar in the soap
dispenser.
- Load the machine correctly, plates facing the same way, all items
inverted, bigger items on the lower rack and more delicate ones on
the top rack to prolong the life of your machine. Heavy items in
the top rack can ruin the rack wheels for instance.
Microwave
- Food spills make your machine work harder than it needs to, so
wipe them up asap. Try a steam clean by placing a cup of water
inside the microwave. Boil for a minute or two and you'll find
spills are easier to mop up.
- Stop dust building up around the ventilation holes as this could
cause the microwave to overheat.
Built to last? Here's the average life expectancy from new
Fridge - 15 years
Freezer - 18 years
Washing machine - 12 years
Dryer - 14 years
Dishwasher - 11 years
Microwave - 10 years
- If you do need to make a claim against a retailer - remember it's the company that sold you the machine which is responsible for sorting any problems, not the manufacturer.
- If you buy on credit card and the appliance cost over £100, the credit card company is jointly liable. So if something goes wrong and the retailer isn't helping, you can go to the card company.
- If you need to make a small claim or need further advice generally, take a look at www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk
- Looking for spares and easy care tips? Go to www.espares.co.uk
Looking to buy?
If you are about to buy a new appliance, don't forget as a
Candis member you get great discounts buying from Hughes Direct via
Candis Electricals. Just go to http://www.candis.co.uk/candis-magazine/candis-club/goods-and-services-1283/electrical-goods
to see what it's all about.
Questions & Answers
Q: It seems almost anywhere I
go these days I have to pay for parking. Is there any way round
this?
A: Near to any paid parking is usually an area, albeit a small one, of free parking. You just need to know where it is - especially hard in areas you're unfamiliar with and are visiting as a one off. There's a website that can help though; at www.freeparkingspace.co.uk. Just pop in the town or attraction you're visiting to get details or free parking nearby - it's hasn't got everything covered but is a really useful tool that's being added to all the time.
Q: I paid a deposit on a
wedding dress I really liked but I changed my mind after I'd
been back and tried it on a couple of times. The manageress says I
can't get my money back, but surely she's
wrong...?
A: The shop's within its rights to refuse you the refund. When you place an order and pay a deposit, you enter into a contract. It's proof of your 'good intentions'. The shop may then have to place an order for your dress to be made, if you cancel the order, you forego the right to your money. However, if they've simply taken something off the shop floor and put it aside for you, they should be a bit more lenient, but could argue that they might have sold it to someone else if it had been on the shop floor instead of languishing in the stockroom.
See if you can come to a compromise with the manageress, perhaps she'd let you put the deposit towards something else like the bridesmaids' dresses or your mother's outfit... it's worth a try.
And in similar situations, check the store's policy before you hand over any sort of deposit - is it non-refundable? If so, are you really sure the item's what you want or should you look around elsewhere first?
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