You’ve been buying your washing machines and white goods all wrong – how to save hundreds of pounds
WHEN buying a cooker or washing machine it can be hard to work out which appliance is worth your money.
Choose wisely and you could save a lot in the long run.
Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said: “Do your research carefully.
“Think about things like delivery costs and the service a retailer provides if something goes wrong.”
Mel Hunter has the lowdown on how to buy appliances, with this money-saving guide.
Purchase price and running costs
WHEN looking for new white goods you need to consider how much it costs to buy, its running costs, and how long it is likely to last.
You could end up paying more in running costs and repairs for a cheaper machine.
Start by checking the energy label. It gives an appliance a rating of A to G, with A-rated machines using the least amount of energy and costing you the least in electricity and water.
A D-rated machine may be cheaper to buy, but the A-rated appliance may end up saving you money in running costs, as well as being better for the planet.
An A-rated fridge freezer, for example, will cost you £37 a year to run, according to Currys, compared with one ranked at the bottom of the scale costing £112.
The retailer is one of the shops and manufacturers that gives information about how much appliances will cost to use.
It shows that the cheapest machine it sells, a D-rated Indesit IWC for £229, will cost £769 to run four times a week over an 11-year life span.
One of the A-rated machines on the site, a Haier I Pro Series 3, costs £399.99 to buy, but £513 to run with the same frequency.
Based on the figures, over 11 years you would end up paying around £85 more if you bought the cheaper machine.
You would be wise to factor in repair costs too.
A little research will help you find the most reliable brands.
In a recent survey by consumer body Which?, only nine per cent of John Lewis washing machines had a fault in the first seven years, compared with 26 per cent of those from Whirlpool.
Delivery and recycling costs
AS you’re totting up the cost of a new appliance, you need to do your sums on extras.
Delivery, connection and recycling your old machine can really add up.
We looked into buying a freestanding Beko dishwasher online.
John Lewis and Euronics charge £45 for installation and recycling and delivery is free, while Argos charges £69.99 for the same service.
Retailers often have deals on these extras, so look out for them.
Can you fix it?
THE UK introduced a right to repair law in 2021, calling on manufacturers to make spare parts available so that anyone can fix appliances, extending their life span.
If DIY is not your strong point, you can find out more about how to repair appliances and who can help you do so at sites such as repaircafe.org/en/ and therestartproject.org.
Aftercare
THIS can be even more important than the customer service you get when you first buy an item.
Jane says: “Buying through a company that doesn’t just take your money but also looks after you when things go wrong is crucial. Aftercare is where many firms fall down.”
In a survey by Which? last year, no white goods company scored five stars for aftercare service and returns.
The top three household appliance shops voted for by shoppers — John Lewis, Euronics and Very — got four out of five.
You need to buy through a retailer that won’t fob you off, so look at reviews on its customer service before you buy, and check there are clear contact details on its website, as well as an active presence on social media.
Guarantees or warranties
AFTER you have bought a new appliance, there are three ways you can be protected if there’s an issue: The guarantee, an extra warranty, insurance and your legal rights.
Manufacturers may automatically offer a guarantee, agreeing to fix or replace if the item goes wrong within a certain time frame.
You will probably need to fill out a card or form online to register and validate the guarantee.
The firm will then be able to contact you if an appliance is recalled.
For many of the big companies, you can use Registermyappliance.org.uk.
Extended warranties are rarely worth the money, experts warn. Jane said: “Many aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.”
This is because you have rights when you buy an item, regardless of whether you have cover or not.
Read the terms and conditions carefully — they may not cover you for new parts or for a call-out fee.
You could also look at whether your insurance covers accidental damage, or includes it as an extra.
Your rights
THE best protection for shoppers is free, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, but Jane said: “A lot of people don’t even know about it.”
It lets you claim a full refund within 30 days for goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described.
Up to six months after delivery, you must give the retailer one opportunity to repair or replace it before you can claim a refund.
After that, and for up to six years, you must give the retailer one chance to make things right before claiming a partial refund, and it’s the customer’s responsibility to prove the product was faulty when it became theirs.
Approach the retailer rather than the manufacturer, and don’t be fobbed off. Persistence is key.
Your rights are protected for up to six years, or five in Scotland, taking into account how long you could reasonably expect the product to last.