Acceptable lifespan for a domestic applicance?

Acceptable lifespan for a domestic applicance?

Author
Discussion

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,648 posts

235 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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I bought a Hoover Enigma 2400w canister type vacuum cleaner in August 2014. I bought it a couple of weeks before the new EU directive limiting the power of vacuum cleaners.

It was bought to hoover the stairs and the cars. The motor had now failed after what can only be a few hours use. I cannot find the receipt, despite finding the receipt for everything else I have ever bought in my entire life whilst looking! It's not on my bank statement so I can only presume I paid for it in cash.

Argos are obviously not able to do anything withou a receipt.

I've spoken to Hoover. They're saying that the serial number tells than that it was manufactured week 2, 2014. They won't help as they say all their products are invariably sold to the end user within 8 weeks of manufacture. So in their eyes it has been in use for over 12 months and they won't offer any help.

Is there any law or requirement stating that domestic appliances have to have a certain lifespan? This Hoover is under a year old and has had very little use. Very disappointing.

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,648 posts

235 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
Sorry, can this be moved to SP&L?

Fastdruid

8,623 posts

151 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
Yes, the Sale of goods act which gives you a number of rights but they're all with the retailer *not* the manufacturer.

In general you should expect something to last about 5 years, obviously it depends on use, a vacuum used by a cleaning company 8 hours a day might be expected to only last a year.

Unfortunately though you'd need some proof that you bought it.

That said you could try it by sending a letter to the head office (forget trying in store) stating that after only a year of use it's failed, this is not a reasonable time and you want it investigated and repaired, or replaced if it runs out to be faulty.

Then cross your fingers that they don't ask for proof of purchase...

Limpet

6,293 posts

160 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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The Sale of Goods Act also relies heavily on the word "reasonable" when determining acceptable time periods. There is no de-facto legal standard that I am aware of.

I don't think many people would consider a year to be acceptable.

Contract is with the retailer as stated above, not the manufacturer.

romeogolf

2,056 posts

118 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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My thoughts would be to ask Hoover to confirm in writing the manufacture date and their expected 8-week timeline. This can be presented to Argos as proof of product age (ie: "it's about 18 months old"). You could then argue that it has failed before a reasonable time and, while it's out of warranty, this demonstrates it was not fit for purpose.

I'm really guessing because I don't know the exact wording or requirements of the Sale of Goods Act, but it might be worth looking into?

Also, even when using cash, did you use a Nectar card at Argos? That might hold a purchase history?

CYMR0

3,940 posts

199 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Argos should be able to search for the transaction based on catalogue number - and do you have anything on a credit or debit card statement via online banking?

In any event, your contract is with Argos, not Hoover.

B'stard Child

28,324 posts

245 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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MJK 24 said:
Sorry, can this be moved to SP&L?
You can report your own thread if you want things moved having posted it in GG in error........

Palmers

478 posts

110 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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You're barking up the wrong tree. The manufacturer is doing the right thing. If its under a year old "you say" you need proof of purchase. Failing that they use the serial no. (date code in there) of when it rolled off the production line, and use that.

Argos should do something if you have a bank statement or something? Unless you paid cash.

matrignano

4,346 posts

209 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Slate Argos and Hoover on Twitter/Facebook and see if they do anything about it

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Buy a Miele next time. They are expensive but if you've had enough of stty disposable crap it does pay for itself in the long run. They offer an upgrade to a 10 year warranty on vacuum cleaners for £50 too.

Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

129 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
That can't be right, Hoover stuff is made in China, then shipped to the old damp factory in merythr Tydfil and then to the shops. The amount of stock they have in that warehouse I can't beleive it can go from China to store and someone's house in 8 weeks!

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,648 posts

235 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
dme123 said:
Buy a Miele next time. They are expensive but if you've had enough of stty disposable crap it does pay for itself in the long run. They offer an upgrade to a 10 year warranty on vacuum cleaners for £50 too.
I'll never buy another Hoover product!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll keep this updated.

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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A lot of folks will suggest various makes. But look around and see what the pro office cleaners use/ what the central heating blokes and the builders use ,and it's FROM THIS RANGE-
http://www.numatic.co.uk/products3.aspx?r=4&sr...

GC8

19,910 posts

189 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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Id expect a Hoover branded vacuum cleaner to last over six years, which is the extent of the protection offered in England (5yrs in Scotland).

They cant hope to win if you can provide a letter from an engineer stating that the fault was inherent / there from manufacture.

Expect to be offered a depreciated credit, but don't let a premium brand be written down too much - I remember 'hoover' Hoovers (Juniors?) being plentiful decades after they stopped being made. They will pay for the engineers costs too, which you pay and claim.

Itd be a mistake to expect them to lead you by the hand and make it easy, but most nationals stop messing about when it becomes clear that you understand the law.

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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romeogolf said:
Also, even when using cash, did you use a Nectar card at Argos? That might hold a purchase history?
You can't collect Nectar points in store...only spend them.

Tomo1971

1,127 posts

156 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Cant see how the OP can chase Argos without some valid proof of purchase.

Whats to say he bought it second hand off ebay,second hand shop, picked it up from the local council dump or bought it from a competitor?

Now, if you could find a cc or debit card statement etc with a similar amount on from Argos you could no doubt get the bank to confirm the exact time of the transaction and then ask Argos for a duplicate receipt.


Fastpedeller

3,848 posts

145 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Good luck fighting Hoover...... My experience with one of 'their' washing machines:-
Door handle broke after 1year 5 days. Parts have 5 year warranty, labour 1 year. They said I could either pay (£180) for it to be fixed, or BUY the part. I said under SOG Act it should last reasonable time, and requested info on how many cycles the part had been tested to, and how long they expected it to last in usual domestic? They didn't answer, and just repeated they would provide part (which I intended to fit myself), at a cost of £70!- This was a tatty plastic handle which moved a metal latch (destined to break) - they would sell me the whole door!
I found a similar handle on favourite auction site for £2.99 delivered, redrilled the pivot hole to 0.5mm bigger and fitted it within 40 minutes! - If it had been something major I'd have hauled them through the Trading Standards system, but it wasn't worth the hassle. Also bought a spare for £2.99 so no doubt the part will never fail again biggrin- In fact after I fitted it me wife said it had never felt as good, so the original was probably poor from day 1. I suspect Hoover will dig their heels inmad, but good luck.

LudaMusser

159 posts

112 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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I bought a Flymo lawnmower from Homebase which stopped working and I too could'nt find the receipt. Homebase were very helpful and luckily it was at a time when I'd hand written on my bank statement what all my outgoings were for that month so I showed them it and they were able to use that to give me a refund

I bought a new mower but not another Flymo, was'nt v impressed with it

Wacky Racer

38,099 posts

246 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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How can Hoover say they "expect" it to be sold within eight weeks?

If Argos/Currys etc order 500 Toasters/Microwaves or whatever, the very last one could be on the warehouse/shop shelf 2 years later or more, and this could be the one you bought.

Very poor aftersales service from Hoover..........Watchdog?