I think both of us have said JL couldn't do enough for us. They fought the manufacturers customer service as much as they could. When they realised the manufacturers warranty wasn't going anywhere they offered up a big contribution to a new machine without a single bit of pressure. For me they're 5 star service.

It's not for no reason that John Lewis are rated 1.5/10 on Trustpilot - with real reviews from real customers! Once great at customer service, they're now amongst the worst. And all because they're cutting back on costs in order to try to compete with Amazon on price!

Dreadful company to deal with if you have a problem - what a contrast with Richer Sounds, who sell TVs etc at lower prices, with better warranties and infinitely better customer service. Shame they don't sell washing machines.

The route took with JL recently, however it did finally come good, not without MAJOR stress though. I presume you are dealing direct with [email protected] ?

In just under 4 years of service they've been out to the machine around 10 times, carried out a full repair on it over 1 year ago in exactly the same position. The problem now is the engineer the last time thinks it's a write off, Panasonic don't want to give us a new one, thus the excuses start. Read around about Panasonic warranties and it's pretty much what they do.

Here's the thing that's been hinted before though, I'll probably have to take JL to the small claims court as the retailer. This is actually not great because JL have been amazing trying to sort this out. When they couldn't get Panasonic to see sense they even contributed heavily towards our new machine. I have a couple of avenues to go down first, otherwise it's small claims court with the precedence that they've repaired it before in its current installation position.

My Hoover machine is still going strong after 20 years without a single repair. The thing just will not die. It's a running joke in our house that the Mrs will get a new one when it bites the dust.....she used to look at new ones when we were in the shops but gave up yonks ago when she realised the thing will probably outlast us both.

LG were good if they were like what they were 13 yrs ago you can't go wrong. LG machine with 5 year warranty. Only thing not original was the outside casing at end of 5 years. Lasted another 5 OK.

...

Can't fault Samsung service. Parts they buy to use on their washing machine is another story. So far within 3yearswe hadthe drsin pipe at bottom go then recently some rubbers. Both times services we around within 48 hours. Only annoyance is their rubbish if it's not out fault u will have to pay for the person who came out.

Did similar for £200 speaker dock. Long story though.

I would reccomend spening the extra and getting a samsung. solid machines, good warranty.

Per Which?:

This is not the ideal model to keep in an open-plan living space, because the spin is loud enough to make it difficult to hold a conversation if you’re standing nearby.

It costs quite a lot to run for a model of this capacity, and you can see the likely running costs on the ‘technical specifications’ page of this review.

Should I buy it?
Possibly not, as there are plenty of 7kg washing machines to choose from and you should be able to find one with a better rinse that’ll have less of an impact on your energy bills.

Our 7 year old JL machine going strong, never skipped a beat, never failed, used almost daily. Went through 3 hotpoint machines in the same time prior to buying the JL one. When it finally dies (no sign of that at the moment), I'll be straight down to John Lewis for another one just like this one posted

Not sure of the current price for an LG direct drive washing machine without a Google but had ours for eleven years hard use with no problems whatsoever.
Only had to empty the filter of Jack Russell hair every so often but thought I'd throw in a user recommendation if you can find a decent price on one that's comparable to this.

I take it you have never had a contested case then?

I've got a Panasonic washing machine and its been brilliant but if it does fail and they don't honour my 5 year warranty I will probably take them to the small claims court. I think I'm about half way through the warranty. Did they ever inspect your installation? Mine is one of the Turkish Vestel Panasonic washing machines which are meant to be more reliable than the Chinese made Panasonic's.

Stupid comment ! just send a form with the details and they will decide as a third party an outcome,no visit to court and free.

But if your willing to not bother I guess you have more money than sense?

whats your new hobby fishing? :smiley:

En-masse movement of production to China together coupled with massive leaps in technological innovation and using the cheapest suppliers for parts means white goods and electronics can be sold at prices approaching 20% what they were (in real terms) 20 years ago. Customers today are thoroughly used to a 'buy and throw-away' culture instead of the prior 'retain and repair' ethos. Services for repairing white goods are struggling simply because, in most instances, it makes better sense to replace than repair.
For instance, I picked up a Zanussi washing machine on Freecycle last year as I knew exactly what the problem was (defective water pump, drum spins fine with water getting collected inside). The chap who was giving it away had had several quotes over £100 for the repair, and he wasn't happy to spend that on a 3 year old machine. I picked up a replacement pump for £22 online and the machine was working perfectly within a few days, been perfect for almost a year. What a waste if that had been thrown out.

Better, cheaper with £90:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/laundry/washing-machines/beko-wm74145w-washing-machine-white-10133154-pdt.html?awc=1599_1472738566_041252f6ec5e3a1f9c203a05768e1a18&srcid=369&xtor=AL-1&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~Communities%20%26%20UGC~47868&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=qqpxmxaq&istBid=t&awid=47868

Why this deal got hot I can never imagine.

Had my JL washing machine for 6 years and its been superb,Theyre made by Electrolux who make Zanussi and AEG.If i was you id go for this zanussi.Its cheaper but you can use the extra money to get a 5 year warranty.Faster spin speed and bigger drum and a timer clock.In essence its basically the same machine only cheaper.
http://www.johnlewis.com/zanussi-zwf81441w-freestanding-washing-machine-8kg-load-a-energy-rating-1400rpm-spin-white/p1969730

Your time not valuable?

Mine is.

I was quite happy to spend time preparing court papers when I was getting paid for it, but its not my idea of a hobby!

Sucked in by the at least it has 5 years warranty. In this case it's impossible to berate the retailer (JL) who did nothing but try to persuade Panasonic that they should be repairing the machine and then paid towards or new machine to keep us with a washing machine. The worst thing, Panasonic agreed to repair, then didn't, then said an engineer will be out to fix it, then decided they won't repair afterall. Awful customer service that has actually put me off the Panasonic brand completely.

Now, I'm buying cheap in the knowledge that if we do need to replace it within 2 or 3 years then we haven't lost too much for the pain.

Use an independent party to look at the case and its free...

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/alternative-dispute-resolution/settling-out-of-court/using-alternative-dispute-resolution-adr/

Thanks for all the helpful posts. Think it is one step forward, and two steps back. Have to agree with comments about built in obsolescence due to high repair costs. My previous Zanussi washing machine and dryer were still going strong after 25 years without any repairs etc.Maybe because I only change the sheets every two or three weeks. Think being environmentally friendly outweighs the smell.
Not sure what to do now, and I did not know that some of the better known brands mentioned above had poor reputation for reliability. Maybe keep my Hoover until it dies, or a deal comes along that cannot be turned down.

For most users, that's all fantasy. If you are paying someone for repairs, the labour cost beats it all into the ground anyway.

Years ago I could do such repairs, although much of the time I didn't as I didn't have the time to do it, and sit around with wet washing up to my ears waiting for the parts, as well as hand wash clothes so I could still go to work!
Now being disabled it is a challenge to just put washing INTO a machine.

The real trick is buy reliability in the first palce, but it gets increasingly difficult to do now even past reliable manufacturers resort to fitting rubbish inside the boxes.

You also forget NOISE, cheap machines tend to be VERY loud. One I had was so bad I had to get rid of it even though it was still working and was under warranty. Even the far side of a closed door it was unbearable.

That's easy... MOST are now :-(

It is far from little known!... try enforcing it.

It's hard enough with a written 5 year warranty, the proof that it is due to a manufacturing defect is not always easy.

Washing machines sold in the EU must be capable of lasting a minimum of 1200 washes, EU regs on Eco/recycling. Wash 1 x pw it should last a lifetime, 1 x pday and 2 1/2 yrs would be good. Hence the difference in lefetime of the same machines, depends how often it is used.

Spent an age in 2013 researching to buy a new washer, which to buy, which to avoid. Biggest killer is the bearings as in most cases the drum is a sealed unit (another EU directive on Eco/recycling) and costs more than a new machine to replace.

I ended up with a cheap Currys own model £169 http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/laundry/washing-machines/logik-l612wm16-washing-machine-white-10140687-pdt.html as it had a 2 piece drum with bearings that could be replaced (£20). It lasted 2 yrs 9 months, short on circuit board. £14 replacement off Ebay sorted it. Also got a 6 month old one off Ebay for £20 to when first one goes.

Look at how often you use the machine, where it will be placed (cheaper ones not as appealing to look at) and consider that buying a new one every 3/4 years means latest tech.

Warranty period ! worth a look...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/little-known-eu-law-gives-8586685

I finally got results, but it was distressing in the extreme, don't ever expect the kid gloves treatment from JL now, that's well in the past, confirmed from many sources online :-(

Terrible deal,get a Beko with great reviews for less...

http://ao.com/product/wmb71543w-beko-washing-machine-white-36593-1.aspx

I thought everyone knew Panasonic and Samsung haven't got a good service setup for white goods in this country.

Left with going to the County Court and pushing the retailer not the manufacturer/service network, but if it is a bit older it's up to YOU to prove it was a manufacturing defect :-(

Trouble is reliable brands and decent customer service is hard to find now, Siemens is not what it was, and Miele don't even give the warranties they used to on many models :-(

Interesting comment about JL. They completely cocked up my last order for a DVD player. The player was obviously a customer return, remote control missing etc. What was more amusing the paperwork, and delivery note for the previous customer were enclosed.Several emails later I got hold of a very nice lady who was very helpful, and agreed a 100% credit for all my wasted time, meaning that the player was free. All the emails were wrong, giving meaningless automatic replies. The final funny was an email stating the player was going to be delivered on Tuesday. Needless to say the player was delivered on Monday. No big deal, as I was at home. Was thinking I was going to get a second free player. Similar experience with my partner. Never had an order completed correctly first time, but always refunded once the process of explaining the problem is complete. Allow 2+ hours until you reach someone in authority. My DVD player was only £38, but wonder if anyone has got a free TV.

They can't be a patch on the people that Panasonic use for their Washing Machines. 5 weeks on and I'm still arguing with them on their "I'm sorry, your machine part failure was not due to a manufacturing problem, instead it's down to your installation". We've had to go out and buy a new washing machine while the stand off continues. Lesson learned, don't believe the "we offer you a 5 year warranty with our Panasonic machines" because when you get an issue they don't want to know. Just stick to the known brands instead.

John Lewis have been nothing but amazing in their assistance at helping us pursue Panasonic.

John Lewis washing products are made by AEG/Electrolux/Zanussi - fine if they work, NOT fine if they conk out on you.
You will have to deal with the Serviceforce "network" which is a mix of separate companies "organised" by Electrolux for repairs which make your worst nightmares come real. For reviews see: http://www.reviewcentre.com/Online-Domestic-Appliance-Shops/Service-Force-www-serviceforce-co-uk-reviews_1901176

John Lewis (although nothing like the company they WERE for customer service - see their reviews now, it will shock you! http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews56366.html ) themselves can be reasonable helpful, but can't do anything at all to get this company to fulfil it's claims. Ten weeks,and a whole lot of wasted full days sitting in and a lot of raised blood pressure means I would not touch any of their products again even though I got substantialfinancial compensation at the end of it.

Thanks for all the comments. I am not an expert on washing machines, and I have no idea who makes them. I think this one is only 1200 spin, but that is good enough for my use. I am currently using a Hoover which I bought with the house, and is about 7 years old. Still works OK, but I am changing the utility room, and it would be easy to change at the same time. An engineer who was installing a cooker, said the model was OK, but never run at the top 1600 rev spin. He said if you stick to around 1200 revs, most machines will last a lot longer. Thanks midge73uk for your advice.
I have never used powder, as I thought it was better to use liquid detergent.

They used to be made by Zanussi, and were recommended by a white goods web site run by a domestic appliance engineer (can't remember the site name now)...
Nearly bought one myself at the time, but bought a better priced Zanussi instead (ironically, from JL!) and it's still going strong after 6 year of abuse from two babies in that time.

Who makes them? Beko?

I'm at work just now, so can't check the model number, however I own a John Lewis washing machine. It is around 3 years old and still going strong. I can recommend their own brand. It's well made and works really well. It's a 1400 spin and I have used both powder and liquid, finding powder to be the better partner for cleaning the clothes. Hope this may be useful.