LIFE SUCKS! =(

[bk_forever]

So, yesterday I went to do the laundry and found the washing machine didn't work. It's getting on in years and had been a bit iffy for a while, so it wasn't a huge surprise. I figured as it was quite a few years old and not under warranty I should replace it rather than get it repaired, and since there were Black Friday deals to be had, the timing was serendipitous - if you have to replace a large appliance, best to do it when you can get a good bargain.

I found a good make with great performance ratings at a saving of £70, it does half loads which is ideal for me now I'm on my own, and best of all, delivery, installation, and recycling of my old machine were included in the price. Yay!

What I only found out when I got a phonecall this morning to arrange a suitable delivery day was that I was expected to disconnect and remove the old machine myself. Like I said, I live alone, I have health problems, I'm not strong (the machines weigh a ton) and I'm not a plumber. I don't know the first thing about how to disconnect a washing machine. That's the sort of thing the people who install them know about. But they're apparently not allowed to disconnect machines, only to install them. Where does that make any kind of sense? The lady on the phone suggested I ask a neighbour for help. Most of them either have less technical skill than I do or are in their seventies and eighties. I suppose I could call my plumber and pay him to disconnect it, but I'm trying to save money. Just buying the machine, even at a discount, is taking a big bite out of my budget.

Now my friend is going to have to get the help of one of his brothers because it'll take at least two people to get the existing machine out of the house, and buy supplies so that nothing leaks all over the floor, some sort of cut-off valve that will be needed because my machine's waste pipe is connected to the waste pipe for the sink and if it's disconnected it'll leave a big hole for water to pour out of every time I use the sink *headdesk*

My kitchen is the size of a postage stamp, the old machine can't be left in there until next Wednesday because it would take up half of the available floor space and I wouldn't be able to open the fridge or the freezer. Bad enough that I'll have to get up at 6am on Wednesday because the delivery time is anywhere from 7am onwards, but I have all this chaos to deal with first.

These days we pay out more and get less service for our money. Is there anywhere out there that disconnects old appliances they're taking away before installing new ones or is everyone just expected to do it themselves? The whole thing is ridiculous.

I am not pleased >=[

Comments

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

How unserviceminded of them! I hope it gets solved for you! *hugs*

[bk_forever]

It just beggars belief! And a lot of places won't even take the old appliance away, you have to dispose of it yourself. How, I have no idea. It's not like people can put their old washing machine in the car and take it to the tip. This has turned from an annoying problem into a nightmare.

Thank you *hugs back*

[zazajb.livejournal.com]

Hi J
What a ridiculous thing for them to say for someone living alone - you are right about paying more & getting less for it.
Do you have a 'helping hands' association near you? They will usually have someone who can help and for small cost of a donation to cover petrol. They are usually semi retired/retired/early retired who want to keep busy but not necessarily go out to work. Ours are quite good here as they did stuff for my neighbour when we weren't around during the day.
*hugs tight*
D xxx

[bk_forever]

I'll have to look into that for future reference, I think there is, but I don't have the details. The old people's home up the top of the street has a handyman who's told me he'll help with anything house related, but I don't know if this would be something he can do. Thankfully Collin is fairly handy and has brothers who lend a hand when needed, he thinks they can sort it. The water supply is disconnected, he just can't do the waste pipe without getting a valve of some sort so I can still use the sink without swamping the cupboard underneath. I just don't understand why companies who sell white goods don't have an automatic policy of disconnecting the old appliance, installing the new one and taking the old one away. that should be the standard for all. I really didn't need more stress piled on me *droops*

*hugs back* Thank you.

[sassysailorgirl.livejournal.com]

Bloody hell, pet. You're definitely right about paying more and getting less. We have the same dynamic here in the States. Hope the washing machine situation sorts itself!

[bk_forever]

My friend is working on the problem, he's going to enlist the assistance of a brother or two, but the whole thing is a nightmare. It's so ridiculous. If they're qualified to fit a machine they must be qualified to remove one, it's the same process just in reverse.

Apparently it's the same with cookers with the added problem that it's illegal now for a homeowner to do anything to their electrics, even changing a plug, so if you get a new cooker, first you have to pay a qualified electrician to disconnect the old one. *rolls eyes* the world is going insane.

[cjulina.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear what you've been going through! I had a similar situation when my apartment flooded six years ago. Washing machine was nothing more than a pile of scrap and the company who installed my new one couldn't touch the old one. Liability they claimed.

A friend suggested I call a scrap metal collector to remove the busted one. Worked out great. He took care of disconnecting everything, even cleaned up some of the water that escaped in the process. He hauled it off by himself. Didn't cost me a dime! See if there's some scrap metal collectors in your area who will pick it up for free.

Sorry I've not been in touch - super, super busy around here. Still have loads of Cajun music if you're still interested. It's slow for me the next week and a half so buzz me a note if there's anything in particular you'd like me to send your way.

Hope things pick up for you!

[bk_forever]

I'm still interested, but this year's been so chaotic that I haven't even downloaded all that you sent me so far, it's all still waiting in my emails, which need going through when I can find the time, assuming my email will even let me log in, which is hit and miss most days *sigh*

They're taking the old washing machine away, that's included in the price of the new one, they're just not allowed to disconnect the old one, which is why the whole thing makes no sense. I could understand if I'd only paid to have the new one delivered, but they specifically say delivery, installation and recycling of the old machine is included. You only find out later that they don't disconnect the old machine. It's stupid. Liability? Where is there any difference in liability between removing one and fitting another? It's the same process, just in reverse.

Thank you!

[owensheart.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about service, my husband orders some wooden boards for his train set and when the guy delivered them I was told he was not allowed to put them in the garage for me, I had to do that, the boards are twice my size and my husband is disabled. I did get him finally to agree to just put them inside the garage door but still what is wrong with people these days that they are so reluctant to help.

hope it all gets sorted for you dear.

[bk_forever]

Oh, that is so ridiculous! They can carry them right to the door and that's it? That's not a proper delivery. I don't know what's wrong with companies these days.

I hope so too, my friend said he'll call me when he and one of his brothers are going to come and move the washer. Glad it wasn't today in the pouring rain and high winds! It's such a nuisance though. I thought I was paying for everything. Goodness knows what really elderly or disabled people would do.

[nightchild78.livejournal.com]

It's absolutely stupid and unacceptable that they leave you to deal alone with all that crap. In France, the law requires that not only the sellers disconnect the machines (installation is usually for free and included in the service), but also that they take the old machines and take care of the recycling). There is a modest additional charge "eco-taxe" included in the price to cover it.

I agree with you: the more we pay, the worse we are served. *exasperated roll of eyes*

All the best, my friend.

[bk_forever]

That law needs to be implemented over here. It really is unacceptable that people who live alone have to find someone to do the job for them. My friend and his brother have been here this morning to disconnect the machine and put it outside, but that was a really hard job for them.

Thank you *hugs*

[too-beauty.livejournal.com]

Sorry to know this, my dear!
I had a similar problem with a gas and electrical cooker. I tried to get someone to check it before reinstalling it but as it was not connected to the gas and electricity link, they didn't want to check it.
And what if the cooker explodes when I connect it? well it is high time you replace it so, he told me!!!!
Hope the problem is solved.

[bk_forever]

Well, I got help from a friend and his brother, they disconnected it and put it outside because there was nowhere it could stand inside, and someone took it. On a Sunday, in pouring rain and a howling gale, less than three hours after it was put outside it was gone. It's crazy!

That sounds so dangerous, there should be laws that appliances have to be disconnected by the people who connect the new one.