Merloni Quality

[robm]

No money to be made in Washers

I suppose when you look at todays prices, what a machine is expected to do (be quiet, wash ratings etc..) and what a washing machine has to put up with you can see why they have become more economical with the engineering.

A dishwasher is about the same price but has to do none of the hard work a washer has to do, like spin heavy wet washing. It's essentially an empty cabinet with a few pumps, therefore must be cheaper to manufacture. Then we think of MP3 players, DVDs etc.. these sell for the same price if not more expensive.

It's a sad fact also that we are now a throw away society and I think people buy cheap and then replace a few years later.

I bought my Miele in 99 and it's as solid as can be. I love it to be honest but I am worried that they are not made like that anymore. I noticed that on some models they have lost the heavy chrome door.

The attached shows a new Miele spinning. Although the motor is quiet, the suspension does sound cheaper than it used to.

Thank you to the film maker.

Rob

 

[glamwales]

Without being controversial

I like to buy 'reasonable' and I look forward to a new machine every 2 - 3 years. It is also economical for me to do this with my income.

The idea of spending £400 plus in my view is rediculous. (NO OFFENCE INTENDED TO ANYONE )

I would rather have a £270 ish machine and a nice weekend away somewhere and I think most people live yr to yr like me. I really dont care if a machine is going to pack up on me in 3 years time, I will buy a new one.

As for the waste - I really dont care. I am a washerholic and proud

 

[nickuk]

Everyone's different

Maybe one person who loves cars will own a 2CV, a Nissan Micra and a Proton because he loves different cars, wants to experience them all and gets bored after a few years.

Another car lover may own a Mercedes-Benz because s/he loves and trusts the brand etc etc.

Same with washers. My outlook is different to that of GlamWales and I would rather own one machine which I really love for 15 years, than have a succession of cheaper machines. Plus, depending on my mood, actually I might rather not have a cheaper washer and scrap the weekend away! So maybe I'm going towards the psychotic end of `washerholic'!

Nick

 

[lederstiefel1]

Merloni...

...and all of you - guess what...?
They do not only flood the English market......!!
Made in Germany is no longer available, too....except by MIELE!!

Rubbish wins! All over the world!

Ralf

 

[lavamat_jon]

Rob, I have to say that both mine and mum's Mieles (both relatively new models) are very solidly built and there haven't been corners cut at all... very smooth, quiet machines. Suspension sounds "springy" sometimes on the off chance but no different to how other machines are - and definitely no way like the Bosch spin where you could hear the tub thumping like mad . It isn't any worse a machine than the Premier Novo my aunt had from 1998 or so, which was later upgraded to a W2240. And they are in my opinion the most solid machine sold nowadays... the new machines are a bit more plasticky than normal but still solid. And bloody heavy lol. There are those Maytag Asko's too which rival them, but they don't really seem to have penetrated the market that well.

Jon

 

[chestermikeuk]

Uniqueness!!!

Fab...Which is just the way I like it...nothing like having one just for yourself!!!

 

[lavamat_jon]

mike

...you have mail

 

[robm]

Jon - I am very pleased to hear you say that, I did wonder if the corners would be cut. I hope Miele stay great in the future.

Rob

 

[hoovermatic]

Supply and demand

While people continue to buy these machines, and they do in vast quantities, then Merloni et al will continue to churn them out. Consumers can vote with their feet and walk away from these brands. It has happened before in other areas of consumerism and it could quite easily happen again, if people want it to.

I have only ever had two Hotpoints, one old and one relatively new. I have always found them to be very good washers, rinsers and spinners and have never had one break down or fall apart on me. Must be lucky, based on some of the stories I have read on here about them. I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy a new one as generally, I agree with the sentiments expressed on here that Merloni have plumbed new depths with the quality of their machine build.

I must be very fortunate to have never owned one of those appliances that breaks down within 3 months and repeatedly requires engineers attention etc.

 

[carlstock]

Hi, all.

I have made comments on this before, but I am disgusted with Indesit Company (as they are now called). They make British factories churn our poor quality products that should not be sold. I am no nationalist, but seeing “Made in Great Britain” on the dead Hotpoint WD860 in the hall is galling. Note that I am not attacking Italians because I know several Italian companies, particularly in white goods, have been able to provide good quality at reasonable prices.

Our excellent Hotpoint Microtronic L.E. (bless its little cotton socks! ;-)) lasted well over a decade and cost us less than £10 in its life in spares, which we fitted ourselves! I remember at the age of about 8 helping my Dad to fit them!

The best machines available now (in the UK at least) are Miele; if not, then, Siemens/Bosch; if not, then Zanussi; then maybe Whirlpool. That is about it, really.

And I just wish consumers in the UK would stop buying cheap products, particularly appliances, all the time. What ever happened to saving up? Over 20 years ago, one may spend over £400 on a washing machine, which would obviously be more today! Yes, you can buy some cheap products that are a marvel, but they are few and far between, and they are not part of the white goods scene.

Regards,

Carl

 

[dascot]

I have to admit that I like to watch the pennies, but I also dislike the consumerist culture of break -> bin & replace. When you think of the amount of waste that can be produced by a family, there's no need to add to that by supplying cheap rubbish that will last a couple of years before needing replaced.

Thing is, you can buy wisely and still not spend a fortune but get something that will last.

Dave

 

[carlstock]

Absolutely right, dascot.

Cheap is not always bad, and expensive is not always good, but it seems that with domestic appliances at the moment.