I never take out extended warranties as I have found if it lasts 12 months, it will probably carry on working for several years. We have tended to replace equipment because there is something better, or when it breaks down. In the case of our first washing machine, a Creeda, after 15-years. However, the main reason I don't take out extended warranties is because I can generally repair the equipment quicker and cheaper myself.
I know that most people are afraid to take the back off a TV – “Danger” stickers reinforce the fear. “No user serviceable parts” are a challenge for me. Unplugged from the mains (and antenna) and there is little that you can do wrong. Taking out a few screws and having a look, it wont bite and you can always simply put it back. Most electrical and electronic devices have plug in modules these days, maybe a retaining screw or two. The point being, there are no special tools required in most cases to repair stuff.
I come from a time when, as a teenage, I understood 90% to 100% of the technology in my home. That applied to the 12” black and white TV and the valve radio. It also applied to “technologies” of the plumbing, woodwork and gas. In my adult life I have kept up this understanding. I am always interested to find out how things work, from businesses to people to computers and more.
So why is this important? People block up ventilation holes to stop drafts and kill themselves in their ignorance, or spill hot coffee and are surprised that it is hot or expect that cruise control will steer the camper van down the road while they go and make a cup of coffee in the back. Clearly most people are not that stupid and survive without thinking too deeply about how anything works, until it goes wrong. Even then they use their disposable income to call some “skilled” person in to put it right.
Anyway I digress…having always had a go at repairing stuff when a Morphy Richards (retro looking) toaster packed up on me a few years ago I looked in the top and could see that one of the heating elements had a gap in it. It had blown. The special anti-tamper screws were no obstacle, simple a minor challenge. Having removed the damaged element (6-screws and a couple of push on connecter like those on the back of you car head light – not rocket science) and called Morphy Richards to order a replacement. “Oh no we don’t have spare parts for those…they are not meant to be serviced!” “Throw it away and send us a copy of your receipt and we’ll send you a replacement.”
What a completely wasteful process. Green wasn’t such a big issue but it angered me that the only practical reasons why it was not serviceable where the anti-taper screws and the lack of basic expendable components – more for the land fill!
So back to recent events! It always seems that just after Christmas and all that expense, January turns into the month where a whole load of unexpected problems and outlay turn up. Amongst these this year the washing machine blew a fuse. I replaced the fuse and the machine responded by flashing 4-times pausing the repeating the 4 flashes in a continuous loop. A quick look in the user manual tells me that this means the door is not shut – clearly it is, so there has to be something else. Following the logic?
A washing machine is clearly a bit more complicated than a toaster, so I look around on the internet for a service manual. Hopefully a chink of light to help me know what I am doing. I’ll have a go at anything but being informed action improves the chance of success. I contact Zanussi and Electrolux and their service agents but none will supply me with a service manual – “They are trade only… You could hurt yourself!” “We would be liable”
I hate the woman that bought the coffee from McDonalds spilt it and then successfully sued because it didn’t have a warning on it that it was hot. I recently heard about a woman that successfully sued because there was no warning about the cruse control on her camper van. She had put the cruise control on and gone into the back to make some coffee. Apparently she had not realised that she still had to steer. These people fuck it up for the rest of us big time.
Anyway being sane and with some grey cells in working order I want to work on MY property. They sold me the machine. I own it. If I want to hit it with a hammer or take it for a swim (is there a warning about that?) or play with it, that is up to me. Why won’t they give me the information to make it as safe as possible? (Please use a life jacket when going for a swim with your washing machine) But oh no “we’ll send a service engineer around” £50, which I decline. “But what will you do?” “I’ll take it apart without the service manual.” “That’s dangerous and we don’t advise that.” “It’s more dangerous because you won’t sell me a manual and I understand why you don’t advise it. It’s because you want to charge me £50.”
Now you may think this reckless but in a washing machine there are a very limited number of components. The most common problems include the motor, the heating element and the pump.
Eventually I find a site offering a generic washing machine and dishwasher manual http://www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html . This is not the most up to date manual but the basic are right on, and it will at least show you how to get into the thing.
Eventually I discover that the programmer has been blown by a short circuit in the interlocking door catch. Unfortunately I don’t discover this until I’ve spent £30 and waited 3 days for the new door lock to turn up (lots of places that will sell you the parts – including Zanussi’s service agent – but no manual! “It’s OK to blow yourself up as long as we didn’t give you any help in avoiding it!”).
The programmer will cost £175 to £189 including VAT + delivery. The act of replacing it is easy a couple of clips and three or four idiot proof multi-way plugs – I only have to take two screws out and slide the top off. But the cost presents me with a dilemma. If I spend £175+ and having replaced it, it goes bang, I’m £170+ down the drain.
If I get someone to repair it, they will want to charge their labour. They will also want at least some cover for the risk that it goes bang on them. So looking at around £250 – new machine £278. So in the dawn of a green age I throw what is otherwise a perfect machine away.
And that, you may say, is that. But what angers me is that this 4-year old machine looks brand new. The inside isn’t even dusty. The £170 for the programme is ridiculous. A quick search of the internet and you can get a simple laptop (with far more processing power) for less. An observational note to Zanussi is pending a response and I have to move on… the washing is piling up.
Before I end I just want to go back to the beginning… if I’d have taken out an extended warranty for an additional 3-years it would have cost me £185 and have run out in November last year..
So when the good, the great and the politicians tell me to be green they are taking to the converted, at the bottom of the chain. Maybe a chat with the top of the chain about their designs would be worth it for the sake of the planet!
Thus endeth the rant.
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