Hoover VHC 691B Condensing Tumble Dryer

I had a White Knight vented dryer that gave me 10 years fault free service before succumming to almost daily use as my two children grew up. Upon the sparkling recommendation of a Curry's salesperson, I replaced it with a Hoover SensorDry V691B Condensor Tumble Dryer. I also bought a 3 year extended warranty (which with hindsight was a stroke of genius!). Total cost was loose change under £370. The White Knight I initially intended to purchase was more than £150 less than this but given the sales pat and fact Hoover is, by and large, a well respected brand name.

So, delivery was made .....dryer installed by self (isnt rocket science is it....?). First load and evidence of water leaking at bottom of an awkward fitting door. Thought just see how it goes as its new and may just need the seal to expand or something. During routine maintenance as one does (but interestingly ommitted from Hoovers own maintainence video :-/ ... )I cleaned the condensor element box. Straight forward removal ....refitting an absolute nightmare. Literally achieved by sitting on the floor and using both feet and pushing with real force to sit the box in its proper place to be able to use the lock lugs on the front. Then we began to notice its not drying items very well, the water collection container isnt filing at the same rate as before and the fluff tray doesnt fill often either and my house is full of damp from this damn dryer exiting moisture into my kitchen. Then the familiar ( to customers at least as Hover dont even aknowledge the fault in troubleshooting) all LED's lit and dryer stops working. Not good and I'm a bit annoyed to be fair. So ring them I do and engineer call out arranged. A slightly grumpy bloke turns up who is reluctant to listen to me. I left the dryer purposely as it was after around 20+ loads with water in container, fluff bits in fluff box and container with a few bits on it. Instantly he got stroppy and said ...ahh here look your your not cleaning it out proper...ere look at this....this...and this.....WTF? SERIOUSLY?? AARRRGGGHHH!

So I tried to explain the faults which were numerous abnd he get this.....the condensor box he hacked plastic of its rear to make it fit easier, found an inner felt seal was missing, explaining the lack of fluff in box and dangerous fire risk amount insde the machine, close to heating elements and electrics. My son as electrician says damp fluff and moisture ingress to these areas is potentially fatal! Nice one Hoover....no apology needed engineer....not that you seem the type to do sorry. He left as surly as he came and didnt fix the door leak/fit issue. oh well I resign as Meatloaf does to think 2 outta 3 aint bad. The lights carry on coming on and machine stops......after leaving it a while it works again so I put up with it. Personally I believe these issues accumatively, should of seen me given a new dryer as these inherent issues are serious and probably reduced the life of my dryer. HAHAHA YEAH RIGHT

Fast forward to recently and ......EMERGENCY!!!

After the usual all lit led's , my floor is wet thru from the door leak, we turn on the machine and acrid smell appears and smoke billows from the top of the dryer- enough to scare you- especially if like me you have one leg from above knee amputatation and cant move quick or drag likely flaming items out of my home.

ring ring......blah blah out comes guess who???.....but to be fair his attitude was much improved....well maybe a bit and a faulty starter motor was at fault. I didnt these caused smoke and fire risk , but what do I know? Oh at last my door issue and leak fixed......well inner door seal flipped round - not replaced and door taken off and refitted to cure I'm assured. It isnt at all - its still hard to close and i believe warped and needs a new one.

Led issue seems to be sorted to .......... oops nope it isn't. Here we go again - last night its all stop on the dryer train....AGAIN. At least I can unplug it and plug it back in to fix it!

Oh do I long for a White Knight......coz Hoover YOU SUCK!

But I can do nothing about it as I cant afford a replacement. Nice one Hoover....just one issue I could live without as if lifes not hard enough as it is, as an above knee amputee.......but hayho your £360 odd quid better off eh?

NB - Hoover own engineer carried out 'repairs'

Excellent price compared to say, Currys, and delivered

free. Service was excellent too.

Difficult to understand,initially, as we had our previous

model for some 13 years which was a turn on and off

type! Driver also took my old model for recycling.

Would recommend to all....