Hotpoint washer just nearly caught on fire help

[allison6564]

We have a Hotpoint washer that had some bath mats in and when

 

I just came to empty it smoke came pouring out of the drum and

 

the mats were charred and smoking and there's ash all inside the drum.

 

Scared the living daylights out of me.

 

I rang Hotpoint who said the model had not been recalled and all they could do was allow me take out an extended warranty

that I would have to pay for and then they would send an engineer.

 

Rang trading standards who said that I needed to go back to Apollo Preston where I bought it

as washing machines are covered for six years under the sale of goods act.

 

Rang Apollo and confirmed I bought it in Aug 2011 so its not even three years old yet but they said that they only give one year warranty.

 

I said this was a very serious fault and that I would write to them etc to which he said you can go down the legal route

if you have the time and money but would cost me more than a new machine!

 

I said I did have the time and would take it further so he's getting the manager to ring me back.

 

If it was just a leak or something like that wouldn't bother but it nearly caught on fire..

.what would of happened if I hadn't of been stood next to it or if it had been at night..

 

could of caused a house fire and well don't want to think f what else could of happened.

 

Does anyone have any advice.

 

I have arranged to take the extended warranty with Hotpoint for one year but will cost £185

but they will provide new machine if needed but not sure if I'm doing the right thing as Applollo are responsible really.

 

I need a washing machine though and not sure what to do.

Edited May 2, 2014 by citizenB

[rebel11]

Hi allison

 

Were the bath mats machine washable?

 

How did you pay for the washing machine?

 

You don't need to buy the Extended Warranty. The retailer/manufacturer are talking rubbish.

 

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

 

Also the best thing is to communicate via letters, emails.

[citizenB]

I wonder if Trading standards might also be interested.

 

You certainly dont need to be blackmailed into buying an extended warranty.

[firstship]

DO NOT TAKE OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY,The retailer is 100% responsible,under SOGA it is their responsibility to arrange all repairs etc up to a period of 6 years,

 

Contact the CEO of Hotpoint by email... [email protected] and insist the machine is repaired or replaced,within 7 days.

 

FS

[allison6564]

Just had the manager from Apollo ring me and he said I need to get a Hotpoint approved engineer out to provide a report saying the machine is faulty and then sent that and letter to them and they will send to their HQ. Just going to ring jot point and cancel the appointment for Tues.

[allison6564]

The bath mats are just cotton no rubber back and machine washable

[rebel11]

Hi allison

 

O.K. so your going to book a call out for a Hotpoint approved enginner to produce a report on the fault, they will charge you around £40 which you will claim back from the retailer. The retailer will repair or replace the appliance.

 

The bath mats are just cotton no rubber back and machine washable

[firstship]

Allison,just tell Apollo Manager,that he is the one who needs to arrange for the Hotpoint Engineer to call, he is trying to get you to do the work,it is his responsibility,the machine is not fit for purpose.

 

FS

[BankFodder]

I would have thought that trying to sell an extended warranty in these circumstances is tantamount to defrauding the insurer.

I can't imagine any warranty covering pre-existing defect.

 

Anyway, the advise you have received above as to your statutory rights are correct

[*RainbowTears*]

I would have thought that trying to sell an extended warranty in these circumstances is tantamount to defrauding the insurer.

I can't imagine any warranty covering pre-existing defect.

 

Anyway, the advise you have received above as to your statutory rights are correct

 

 

I know my issue is NOT as serious as the OP but I've had a similar Hotpoint experience.

 

I've got an Hotpoint Aqualtis, it's just under a year old. The issue I had with mine was the door seal ripped whilst I washed towels (so no sharp bits etc).

 

I rang the Company who I purchased it through & they gave me a number for Hotpoint.

 

I rang Hotpoint & they said they will send out an Engineer to inspect it. But, they also said I would be charged either £120 or £150 (as can't remember exactly now) for the Engineers visit if the issue wasn't covered under the warranty.

 

So Hotpoint gave me a second option. They told me I could take out the extended warranty there & then at £ xXx pounds a month & I would also be covered for any other future issues.

 

So I did, as the Engineers visit could be costly!!

 

But I did wonder at the time myself about taking cover out after having an issue. As to my mind I wasn't covered before the door seal ripped!

 

Anyways an Engineer did come out & he replaced it on a second visit @ no further cost to myself, apart from the warranty I'm now paying for!!

[dx100uk]

please start your own thread

 

you are the 4th or 5th person to tell us about this warranty con

 

dx

[allison6564]

Well I ended up ringing the Which helpline as I subscribe to it and

 

spoke to an actual lawyer..

was impressed.

 

After long discussion decided that as I cannot manage without a washing machine

I'm going to go ahead with the Hotpoint warranty and an engineer is coming out on Tuesday,

if the machine cannot be fixed will get a new one.

 

Then once I have the info as to what is exactly wrong with it from the visit

will then send this to Apollo and try to claim it back.

 

At the end of the day to go put and buy a new one would be £400 plus so this is the cheaper option

but I will try and claim back.

 

To be honest I have so many other issues going on at moment don't have much energy to put into this even

tho it scared me and I'm disgusted that Hotpoint don't seem that bothered.

Thank you all so much for your advice and help xx

[ericsbrother]

And if they mend it you will have wasted £185 on the warranty, half the price of a washing machine. You will have also said goodbye to any chance of reclaiming the money as you will have accepted the repair.

[joka007]

Allison,just tell Apollo Manager,that he is the one who needs to arrange for the Hotpoint Engineer to call, he is trying to get you to do the work,it is his responsibility,the machine is not fit for purpose.

 

FS

 

really?

its over 6 months old, ownersis is on the consumer to prove via third party engineer report, not the ''Apollo Manager''

[dx100uk]

how did you pay please too?

 

dx

[rebel11]

Hi DX

 

Asked in post no.2

 

how did you pay please too?

 

dx

[allison6564]

Paid cash x

[rebel11]

Hi allison

 

That's a shame, if you paid by Credit Card you could of used Section 75,

but that is the only good thing about credit cards, the protection it offers with faulty equipment or when things go wrong.

 

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act

 

Paid cash x