I think we will have to agree to disagree there.
Are cheap washing machines ok?
- Thread starter OpenToSuggestions
- Start date
I think we will have to agree to disagree there.
There is nothing to disagree over, he is absolutely correct. We have a good few cheap washers and all are fine and have been very reliable. Added to this that the gap in pricing is getting so large these days between low and high end, that it really is hard to justify the high end models.
I've had my 'Hotpoint First Edition' WD21 washer dryer for over 15 years. Washer is still going strong. However last year the dryer stopped putting any heat out even though the drum was turning. Cost me £150 to repair. Old Coals told me off saying it was a waste of time. He was right, it just stopped working again. 
I got an extra year out of it though. So now I'm looking at this, would it be ok? I need a black one as it will match my black kitchen theme. I can't afford the really expensive machines. I remember trying out all the doors on washing machines in Currys, and I think Hoover had the nicest opening and closing to their doors. 
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7642193.htm
I got an extra year out of it though. So now I'm looking at this, would it be ok? I need a black one as it will match my black kitchen theme. I can't afford the really expensive machines. I remember trying out all the doors on washing machines in Currys, and I think Hoover had the nicest opening and closing to their doors. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7642193.htm
I've had my 'Hotpoint First Edition' WD21 washer dryer for over 15 years. Washer is still going strong. However last year the dryer stopped putting any heat out even though the drum was turning. Cost me £150 to repair. Old Coals told me off saying it was a waste of time. He was right, it just stopped working again.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7642193.htm
You will be fine and likely get years and years of service from it.
The point being a lot of the bottom end devices are so cheap now that the cost of even simple repairs like swapping bearings etc is not economical caompared to the cost of a new one. All repairs are expensive even for cheap parts as the labour costs are what mounts up the fstest.
Thanks, good to know.
Does anyone happen to know, if I do the buy now pay later, does than mean in a year I can pay off the same price as it's being offered now, with no interest added? I never do credit, always buy with what I have. But this would be quite handy as I need to buy other things right now for the house (not on credit).
Last edited:
but most appliance faults are a simple fix for manpoints.
I've fixed dryers and oven's that have broke and would have no problem attempting to change something simple like the bearings on a washing machine as long as it does not require specialist tools which it likely does not.
BTW my knowledge of fixing white goods is self taught so likely anyone can do the easy stuff
Last edited:
I think the thing is everyone bases it on their own experiences. Let me give you mine.
I used to sell washing machines, granted, it was a long time ago, over 10 years.
There were basically 3 kinds of machine I would sell
1 - The absolute cheapest one in the shop. Usually an Indesit. They are 'ok'. They work, they are noisy, and they simply don't last as long as better makes. I'd get calls every week on them for service calls.
2 - The middle of the range. Usually a Bosch. They are good. They are, or were, a fair middle ground for price to efficiency, build quality, noise, washing standard, damage to clothes... etc. I'd probably get calls monthly for repair.
3 - The top of the range. I'll just say Miele here. Absolutely bomb proof. Much quieter, the best energy and water efficiency, the best wash, significantly better engineered. I had 2 calls for repair in the 18 months I did the job.
We checked once, and our sales of Miele to the cheapest were almost 1:1. We sold a lot of Bosch (I think that was 4:1 compared to every other make combined).
Personally, I'm about to buy a new machine, and our first child is due in December. I'm buying a Miele as I know the child will leave home before the Miele does !
I absolutely just want it to work. Sometimes you are lucky with other makes, I'd prefer to ensure as best as possible that I don't get that phone call saying water is all over the floor, the kids clothes are stuck in the machine, and its 3:45 on a Sunday with School the next day.
I used to sell washing machines, granted, it was a long time ago, over 10 years.
There were basically 3 kinds of machine I would sell
1 - The absolute cheapest one in the shop. Usually an Indesit. They are 'ok'. They work, they are noisy, and they simply don't last as long as better makes. I'd get calls every week on them for service calls.
2 - The middle of the range. Usually a Bosch. They are good. They are, or were, a fair middle ground for price to efficiency, build quality, noise, washing standard, damage to clothes... etc. I'd probably get calls monthly for repair.
3 - The top of the range. I'll just say Miele here. Absolutely bomb proof. Much quieter, the best energy and water efficiency, the best wash, significantly better engineered. I had 2 calls for repair in the 18 months I did the job.
We checked once, and our sales of Miele to the cheapest were almost 1:1. We sold a lot of Bosch (I think that was 4:1 compared to every other make combined).
Personally, I'm about to buy a new machine, and our first child is due in December. I'm buying a Miele as I know the child will leave home before the Miele does !
I absolutely just want it to work. Sometimes you are lucky with other makes, I'd prefer to ensure as best as possible that I don't get that phone call saying water is all over the floor, the kids clothes are stuck in the machine, and its 3:45 on a Sunday with School the next day.
With people who have had their machines for such a long time, were they ever serviced?
I have had mine for 3 years, (hotpoint) and because I live in a hard water area I use Dr-Beckmann every three months.
http://www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/products/appliance-cleaners/service-it-washing-machine-cleaner/
I will also clean out the filter(never anything in there), seals and powder tray.
Is there anything else other people do?
I have had mine for 3 years, (hotpoint) and because I live in a hard water area I use Dr-Beckmann every three months.
http://www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/products/appliance-cleaners/service-it-washing-machine-cleaner/
I will also clean out the filter(never anything in there), seals and powder tray.
Is there anything else other people do?
I dont think you can put those two in the same bracket at all. I have Bosch gear and to be honest its build quality is shockingly bad i think for something which costs £500 or whatever it does. Very thin metals which deform with just a hand press making up the casing, cables routed around using very tacky clips and tape in places, very cheap looking electrical connectors etc. I do wonder how much profit is being made on each unit as these things cant cost much to build.
Soldato
- Joined
- 26 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 6,165
- Location
- Wrexham
They haven't been mentioned, but I've had a whirlpool for 6 years now, and it has been used relentlessly. This includes to babies using washable nappies, so lots and lots of washing!
Only problem I have had is that the display has changed from blue, to a yellowy green somehow!
Only problem I have had is that the display has changed from blue, to a yellowy green somehow!
What would I know, I only repair them for a living.
They are craply made but really how often do they go wrong? Not much, and we have a few of them! You only ever see broken ones by the nature of your job, so of course they look unreliable to you