Hoover & the one penny problem

“Hoover & the one penny problem”

Written on: 20/07/2012

I have just had an unbelievable conversation with Hoover washing machines. We have a brand new washing machine that we bought 6 weeks ago and have just been told we need to spend £150 repairing it because a 20p coin was left in a pocket. Basically, I have been told categorically by the customer care team at Hoover that this is a known (and accepted) issue - they are knowingly selling washing machines which they know are likely to brake seriously (ie at a cost of over £150) if something as small as a 1p coin or a metal button (from a child’s dungarees, for example) is accidently put in the drum. From my conversations with them, this is a common problem and they are fully aware that machines are not of a good enough quality to withstand even a one pence coin. The build of the machines is such that a coin can pass from the internal metal drum through to the plastic outer drum; at high spin speeds this coin or button can make a hole in the plastic drum which will cause all the water to come out. The plastic drum will then need to be completely replaced. Other manufacturers use metal for an outer case which prevents this problem. Families are obviously not being made aware of this when they are purchasing these machines in good faith. Neither does the Service Guarantee mention anything at all about foreign bodies in the machine, although apparently leaving a 1p coin in a pocket is categorised as ‘misuse’ of a washing machine. I was told that families should really take out the ‘extra warranty’ to cover this known problem or even use laundry bags (this is obviously not mentioned in their service booklet)! To me, this indicates that Hoover are aware that their machines are not of robust quality and therefore not really fit for purpose. I think this is disgraceful for consumers and obviously something Hoover knows all about. I would certainly have thought twice about buying a Hoover machine if I had known this to be a problem.