Getting Ebac FL washer - made in the UK

[rolls_rapide]

"primary testing in a laboratory..."

Indeed so. Remember one of the early Hoover Keymatics flooded the laboratory?

Which did 'take in washing' though. They obtained dirty laundry from a boys' school, and commented on the inability to wash pillow cases clean.

I think where Austin is perhaps being confused is the 'reliability' aspect. In this case, Which usually used member feedback on their experiences of owning a particular machine; the number breakdowns and repairs, etc. Where a sample set was too small to assess, they generally said so.

 

[rolls_rapide]

"Actually I wish they would update their tests on this machine which are now about 18 months old to see if their have been any changes in the programming to improve performance. I had considered buying one of these earlier in the year but the Which report put me off, whilst not the most expensive machine, they are a long way from being the cheapest with a best buy Beko machine being less than half the price."

I wondered that myself. It would be reasonable to assume Ebac would read the damning test report, management would have an 'attack of the vapours' and make improvements to the programming.

I do wonder if the temperature profile is wrong for the soils. Or was it the case that Ebac's machine defaults to the quicker cycles?

Moreover, I remember reading in an older Which report (circa 1990s) that even the worst machine at that time, washed satisfactorily. So maybe this Ebac isn't as bad as they make out?

 

[vacbear58]

I will admit I was somewhat surprised at how bad their conclusions were - I could understand that with a hot fill the results would not be so good, especially with bio detergents, compared to cold fill but I would have expected results to be much of a muchness - the machines all work in pretty much the same way.

I have used many machines in my time (at the moment I have 30 odd autos to choose from each week) and all been more or less satisfactory. But one case in point everyone holds Bendix (Philco) washers in high esteem yet they were consistantly marked down for washing performance in the 1970s/early 80s compared to other machines. I have two of them and they both seem to do fine.

Of course a lot comes down to the nature of the clothes you are washing - nowadays most people are (generally) physically cleaner and wear clothes for much shorter periods between washes so most washers will wash clean - even a cheapie Bush washer (another dont buy) I used for a couple of months a few years ago was OK.

But if you are doing really grimy stuff like overalls, or childrens clothes when they have been out playing (do children go out playing now?) then it could be more of a problem. I find that the main challenges to any machine are stained tea towels and handkerchiefs (sorry not in good taste but its true) and that is using cold fill, 60 degree cottons wash and, generally, Persil S&M bio. The only thing to get them really clean is a soak overnight first - even using a pre-wash will not get the "shadow" stains out.

 

[rolls_rapide]

That Which Youtube video...

...in Reply #25:

She wants to get her bloody facts right in the first place!

RPM is defined as 'revolutions per minute'. Not, as she says, "rotations". Probably wouldn't know one end of a screwdriver from the other.

 

[robm]

Hi all

Well I have to say that the Ebac, isn't half as bad as Which? make out! To be fair it does have its rinsing issues which I think are due to not enough interim spinning and the fact that the jet can pump soapy water back over washing. However, not nearly as bad as they write. You can also add more rinsing.

They seem to rate Samsung highly and although I've never owned one, I've heard some very negative things about them from the washer community.

I remember buying a Which? best buy kettle for quietness. However, after no time the kettle was very noisy and this was mentioned by numerous customer reviews. If you notice, many of their reviews, clash with their customers.

I think the Ebac needs a chance. If I have time I am going to send them my feedback.

 

[liamy1]

RobM

*They seem to rate Samsung highly and although I've never owned one, I've heard some very negative things about them from the washer community*

You're not wrong there! Have had 2 Samsung washing machines - issues with them both - one was £1000+!!!!

 

[chrisbsuk]

Which....

I too am suspicious of Which? reviews, especially at the moment with them crowning Samsung “Home Appliance Brand of The Year” - I’ve written to Which?, three times, asking if they consider aftercare part of awarding a manufacturer an award like this. And guess what! They’ve not even acknowledged my mail asking these questions.

The reason I asked them this, is because I had my fingers burnt with a Samsung Washing machine earlier this year, which lasted less than 6 weeks before I rejected it, under the sale of goods act with the shop I bought it from. It stopped dispensing detergent automatically (and with the model I had, there was no dispenser drawer!) and then flooded the basement. I called Samsung, WHO DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED UK REPAIR NETWORK, and subcontract it out to whoever is available (granted, they are trained by Samsung) - they couldn't come to me for three and a half weeks. I live in Bristol. Not an Island in the middle of the North Sea. And even then, that wouldn't be acceptable! Three and a half weeks to me was unacceptable, and that was the basis of my note to Which? - asking if they thought crowning a brand with this award, was solely based on performance, or did they take into account the wider offerings that you “buy” as part of the brand. I therefore rejected the appliance with the store, and they were really honest and said "we don't stock Samsung anymore, because of their aftercare" - which I thought was so telling.

Which are currently obsessed with Samsung. Perhaps i’m sceptical after my experience, but something tells me it doesn't quite stack up. A machine may spin well, but with no aftercare service worth talking about, it seems a poor decsion to recommend the brand overall. And I think /worry the Ebac rating could be terribly un-justified!

And for those of you on here who warned me about Samsung all those months - SORRY…I did choose to ignore you and believe Which, but I know better now. Sadly, I still have the dryer, as I bought them as a set. And if you’re interested, I replaced the Samsung with a Miele W1, WMG120, with Twin Dos Dispensing, Cap Dosing, steam and 1600 RPM spin. I love it. Its like a silent tank! It is exactly what I should have done in the first place. Lesson learned! Picture below.

thanks all

Chris

 

[rolls_rapide]

@chris:

That your top end Samsung failed and flooded your house is frankly, bloody awful. Imagine that scenario in an upstairs flat...

In your defence, I will say your machine certainly 'looked the part', and was well swanky. I have to say that I myself have seen one of the QuickDrive machines up close, and thought it looked rather flashy - I was rather taken with the pulsator - but it was pricey at over £1000!

Samsung's aftercare service seems to be very random and pot luck. From what I've read online, some folk have sometimes had a reasonably speedy repairs, other folk have had weeks without the machine (spares not available). And in your case, Bristol is well within civilisation - its certainly not Outpost Zeta. If shops and stores are critical of the aftersales service, I'd certainly believe them.

I would like to know why Which is suddenly in bed with Samsung. I'm wondering if the staff at Which really are impartial, or are they allowing something to colour their judgement?

Anyway, many happy washes with the Miele.

 

[chrisbsuk]

@rolls

good to hear from you

..it was the top end Samsung one, yes! and that's what made me write to Which, as a little further research tells you the brand is poor for reliability and service, yet they still recommend it. That's why I question the Ebac report!

 

[ozzie908]

@chrisbsuk

Have you seen how many broken Samsung washers are on ebay? When you put the same criteria but put Miele you seem to get even more but majority are not in this country.
I personally have a Miele W4449 washer and Dishwasher sadly although its darn good an AEG dryer I also have various Miele vacuums and they all perform simply superbly..... Who needs aftercare when they don't go wrong?

Austin

 

[l86810]

Ahh Chris... no more Gardening programme?!!!

My Quickdrive is still holding up, although it's disconcerting when you have to feel grateful it has run smoothly for just 6 months.

That Miele is looking sweet though. Congrats!! I've just got a T1 dryer this week and love it.

 

[rolls_rapide]

@ l86810

How does the Quickdrive mechanism operate? Is there a second motor?

 

[l86810]

Yeah just 2 separate motors... no drives, or gearboxes, literally one motor connected to the main drum, and one to the back plate.

It's pretty quiet as a result.

Adam

 

[chrisbsuk]

@ austin... yeah, I've seen loads on eBay. if you filter by "condition - used/not working/for parts only" its a shower of Samsungs that cant be more than a couple of years old, along with a load of Hotpoint's & Hoovers! There are a few Miele's on there, but they look 10 years + old - almost to be expected, you know?!

@adam... man, I didn't get to use the Gardening cycle. GUTTED. I used most of the others, but they were rubbish in light of the detergent dispenser not working. I'll give it its due, it was super quiet and looked sexy. That's all I can say for it. even Which gave it a best buy! Incredible! I'm stuck with the Samsung Heatpump Dryer for now sadly...

 

[foraloysius]

I'm not a big fan of Samsung machines, especially because I don't like their cycles. However on a Dutch review site (where customers write the reviews, most Samsung score high. 39 models out of 42 score 8.0 or higher on a scale of 10!

https://www.kieskeurig.nl/wasmachin...x=&min_default=&max_default=&brand_id[]=41982

There are brands that do a lot worse on that site.