Consumer Rights - Where do I stand?
04 September 2012, 12:04 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Consumer Rights - Where do I stand?
Two years ago, wifey and I bought a new house that came with a 5 year manufacturer supplied warranty on all kitchen appliances. (Whirlpool) All the relavent warranty cards were sent off as soon as we moved in, so no problem there.
About 3 months ago, I noticed that the door seal had started to split. (Probably because the stupid house builders put the fridge-freezer right next to the oven - we have now moved it so there in a 6 inch air gap)
So I contact Whirlpool who take my details and tell me that they will get on to it.
To be honest, I then forgot all about it until it crossed my mind last week.
So I give them a chase up. The next day I receive a call from them telling me that the seal only comes with the door and is not available on its own. Fine I said, order me a new door.
The next day I get another call from them stating that my particular fridge freezer is now obsolete, so they will have supply a new fridge freezer. Ok, I said, supply me a new one.
I then get a call from a different guy saying that the only replacement they can offer me is wider, taller and ............silver.
Now, the size differences are not a problem. I have measured up and it will fit fine still leaving a suitable gap to the oven. However, all our other appliances are white, not silver.
Basically, Whirlpool say that they do not make any white fridge freezers anymore.
However, when I check the product code they gave me - WBE3321NFS, if you replace the last letter with 'W', a white example pops up on google giving me a list of suppliers, including Tesco.
When I went back to them with this, they said that the silver example was all they could offer and they are not prepared to purchase a white unit from another supplier.
Surely, they either have the repair or replace what I have don't they?
Personally, I couldn't care less, but the wifey is in charge of the kitchen department and wants everything matching.
Where do I stand?
About 3 months ago, I noticed that the door seal had started to split. (Probably because the stupid house builders put the fridge-freezer right next to the oven - we have now moved it so there in a 6 inch air gap)
So I contact Whirlpool who take my details and tell me that they will get on to it.
To be honest, I then forgot all about it until it crossed my mind last week.
So I give them a chase up. The next day I receive a call from them telling me that the seal only comes with the door and is not available on its own. Fine I said, order me a new door.
The next day I get another call from them stating that my particular fridge freezer is now obsolete, so they will have supply a new fridge freezer. Ok, I said, supply me a new one.
I then get a call from a different guy saying that the only replacement they can offer me is wider, taller and ............silver.
Now, the size differences are not a problem. I have measured up and it will fit fine still leaving a suitable gap to the oven. However, all our other appliances are white, not silver.
Basically, Whirlpool say that they do not make any white fridge freezers anymore.
However, when I check the product code they gave me - WBE3321NFS, if you replace the last letter with 'W', a white example pops up on google giving me a list of suppliers, including Tesco.
When I went back to them with this, they said that the silver example was all they could offer and they are not prepared to purchase a white unit from another supplier.
Surely, they either have the repair or replace what I have don't they?
Personally, I couldn't care less, but the wifey is in charge of the kitchen department and wants everything matching.
Where do I stand?
04 September 2012, 12:34 PM
#3
Scooby Regular
04 September 2012, 12:59 PM
#5
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah we all like to say that the man is in charge, but we all know the truth!
Is it any different from if for example, a new black car had a faulty door and manufacturer says 'here you go sir, a blue door. Well it fits doesn't it?'
As I said, I don't care but if wifey ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!
Is it any different from if for example, a new black car had a faulty door and manufacturer says 'here you go sir, a blue door. Well it fits doesn't it?'
As I said, I don't care but if wifey ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!
04 September 2012, 01:00 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
If the colour of the Fridge Freezer would be a material aspect in the purchase of a replacement then you should receive a white item as replacement.
It cannot be described as an equivalent if the colour is an important aspect for you.
Tell them that they have 5 working days to come up with an acceptable solution or you will be taking the matter through YOUR County Court - they will need to attend the Court hearing, you will not allow the movement of the Court to their local Court. You will allow a Judge to decide if they are being reasonable.
Make sure that all costs involved in the Court Case will be added to your claim.
It will work wonders ..... and, in 7 days raise a summons against them ..... it's simple to do and it is like a magic bullet.
You WILL win, if you have ***** and want to.
It cannot be described as an equivalent if the colour is an important aspect for you.
Tell them that they have 5 working days to come up with an acceptable solution or you will be taking the matter through YOUR County Court - they will need to attend the Court hearing, you will not allow the movement of the Court to their local Court. You will allow a Judge to decide if they are being reasonable.
Make sure that all costs involved in the Court Case will be added to your claim.
It will work wonders ..... and, in 7 days raise a summons against them ..... it's simple to do and it is like a magic bullet.
You WILL win, if you have ***** and want to.
Trending Topics
04 September 2012, 02:43 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset.
Posts: 14,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even I would want a white jobbie if other appliances were white. I once made the mistake of buying a silver worktop microwave for our kitchen and had to take that back 
Whirlpool are taking the p,iss but I expect you have worked that one out
dl
Whirlpool are taking the p,iss but I expect you have worked that one out
dl
04 September 2012, 03:13 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorted. Contacted the area manager for Whirlpool who handles the contract with Ward-Homes.
Turns out there are some fridge freezers in white available and she apologised for being messed about.
Should get it within a week.
I love it when a plan comes together!
Turns out there are some fridge freezers in white available and she apologised for being messed about.
Should get it within a week.
I love it when a plan comes together!
04 September 2012, 05:48 PM
#16
Whirlpool = Philips = crap service.
I did the same once with a kitchen renovation, Philips cooker, built-in microwave, cooker hood and dishwasher.
From the start, the door was poor on the microwave. I eventually told them I wanted it replaced, and they said I could only have it repaired.
I said fine, I haven't paid the kitchen guy for them yet, and I'll be rejecting the whole lot tomorrow morning.
"Fine, you've made your point, you can have a new one," was their response.
But you shouldn't HAVE to apply pressure. What happened to "customer service"?
I did the same once with a kitchen renovation, Philips cooker, built-in microwave, cooker hood and dishwasher.
From the start, the door was poor on the microwave. I eventually told them I wanted it replaced, and they said I could only have it repaired.
I said fine, I haven't paid the kitchen guy for them yet, and I'll be rejecting the whole lot tomorrow morning.
"Fine, you've made your point, you can have a new one," was their response.
But you shouldn't HAVE to apply pressure. What happened to "customer service"?
04 September 2012, 11:09 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirlpool = Philips = crap service.
I did the same once with a kitchen renovation, Philips cooker, built-in microwave, cooker hood and dishwasher.
From the start, the door was poor on the microwave. I eventually told them I wanted it replaced, and they said I could only have it repaired.
I said fine, I haven't paid the kitchen guy for them yet, and I'll be rejecting the whole lot tomorrow morning.
"Fine, you've made your point, you can have a new one," was their response.
But you shouldn't HAVE to apply pressure. What happened to "customer service"?
I did the same once with a kitchen renovation, Philips cooker, built-in microwave, cooker hood and dishwasher.
From the start, the door was poor on the microwave. I eventually told them I wanted it replaced, and they said I could only have it repaired.
I said fine, I haven't paid the kitchen guy for them yet, and I'll be rejecting the whole lot tomorrow morning.
"Fine, you've made your point, you can have a new one," was their response.
But you shouldn't HAVE to apply pressure. What happened to "customer service"?
I did actually ask him if he was married as only a married man could understand the point I trying to make. Guess what his answer was.
Customer service doesn't exist these days in big companies. Only when you apply pressure and threaten trading standards do you actually yield any results.
It shouldn't be like that, but I have kind of got used to it now. It just means that I know how to 'win'.
05 September 2012, 06:34 AM
#19
Scooby Regular
If the colour of the Fridge Freezer would be a material aspect in the purchase of a replacement then you should receive a white item as replacement.
It cannot be described as an equivalent if the colour is an important aspect for you.
Tell them that they have 5 working days to come up with an acceptable solution or you will be taking the matter through YOUR County Court - they will need to attend the Court hearing, you will not allow the movement of the Court to their local Court. You will allow a Judge to decide if they are being reasonable.
Make sure that all costs involved in the Court Case will be added to your claim.
It will work wonders ..... and, in 7 days raise a summons against them ..... it's simple to do and it is like a magic bullet.
You WILL win, if you have ***** and want to.
It cannot be described as an equivalent if the colour is an important aspect for you.
Tell them that they have 5 working days to come up with an acceptable solution or you will be taking the matter through YOUR County Court - they will need to attend the Court hearing, you will not allow the movement of the Court to their local Court. You will allow a Judge to decide if they are being reasonable.
Make sure that all costs involved in the Court Case will be added to your claim.
It will work wonders ..... and, in 7 days raise a summons against them ..... it's simple to do and it is like a magic bullet.
You WILL win, if you have ***** and want to.
It would nice to have a sample letter like this stored on the computer, worded and written so that it sounds really professional. Then every time some company tries to take the p7ss you insert their name and send it off!
05 September 2012, 07:55 AM
#20
Scooby Regular
in my experience, but it may well have changed
if the defendants decide to defend the claim, then they can have it moved to their country court (jurisdiction)
if the defendants decide to defend the claim, then they can have it moved to their country court (jurisdiction)
27 September 2012, 04:43 PM
#23
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Somewhere in Kent, sniffing some V-Power
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oddly enough that's exactly what I thought when I saw it. It must be nearly 7ft tall!
The job is to sort our windows out as they are noisey and drafty but apparently 'to spec', even though I can fit 2 credit cards between the window frame and seal.
Fecking new builds.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post