
Matthew of North Aurora, IL on May 4, 2011
We purchased a brand new Fisher and Paykel washer and dryer on the recommendation of friends. We were told that they were reliable and well-made appliances and that we would be very happy with them. We needed a good washer and dryer to take care of all the laundry that comes with a household of 9. What we didn't know was the ride we would be in during the time that we owned them.
So, You Want The Water To Stay Inside The Washer?
Right after we purchased the washer and dryer, the washer leaked water all over the floor every time we ran it. A repair man was promptly called and he could not find a problem. We were told that this was probably our fault for using too much detergent and the water was spilling over. It sounds plausible but we ran it with no clothes and no detergent, and it still leaked. The repair man came out several more times, trying something different each time. After failing to find what was wrong, it was determined that we had a lemon and we received a new dryer. We went about 2 weeks without a washer, but we survived.
Dryer Fatigue
About 2 1/2 years, the dryer started to show signs of fatigue. Sometimes, the electronic panel wouldn't light up when you pressed the Power button. Sometimes, you had to press the Start button several times in order to get it to start. Eventually, it decided that it didn't want to work anymore. We called the repair man and he came out to give us the bad news. One of the parts was worn out and we needed a new one. "How long will it take to get the part?" we asked innocently. One week and $400 (parts and labor). Wow! That's half of what we paid for the dryer! Okay, we thought. We can afford it and be without a dryer for one week. We'll just go to our local laundromat for our laundry for one week. One week. We can make it.
It's Been One Week (with apologies to the Barenaked Ladies)
The next week the repair man comes with the shiny new part and installs it - nothing. The dryer still doesn't work. He calls the main repair support facility in New Zealand. "Oh you need this other part too," they say. "How long will it take to get the part?" we ask. One week. Two weeks to get it fixed? We already waited one week so I guess we can wait an additional week, and there was no charge for the additional part. Well, I guess that makes it okay, right? We can go to the laundromat for another week.
Two Week's Notice
So, the repair man comes to our house the second week. This is now his third visit and we are on a first name basis with him. He has the second shiny new part with him and he installs it - nothing. It will not even power on. Again, he calls repair support in New Zealand. "Oh you need this other part too" they say. Wait a minute. The dryer only has about what, 6 parts total? Why does it seem like their repair support is just guessing at what is wrong?
Straight To The Source
By this time, I feel that it is up to me, the customer, to call customer support and complain. I call the main number and talk to someone there and explain my predicament. I ask to be transferred to a supervisor, which they did. I again explain what happened. Their response? "We need the notes from the repair man to do anything, so you need to call the repair man and tell them to send us the notes." Instead of doing that, I put F&P support on hold, call the repair man, and put them in a conference. Now, they can talk to each other. The repair man promises to send the notes right away. When can I expect a response? 48 hours. 48 working hours, and since today is Thursday, you probably won't hear anything until Tuesday.
Making It Right - Just Not Right Now
The next week, F&P New Zealand called me back. They know that we have been through a lot and they want to make it right. Therefore, they will be sending us a brand new dryer and pay to have it installed and the broken one removed. "Wonderful! When will this happen? Tomorrow? "Three weeks." Um, are you having someone carry it to our house?" "No, it just takes that long, they say. Oh, and you are still out the $400 you already spent on parts and labor. I ranted but I was promised that maybe it could be done in 2 weeks, but it would take at most 3 weeks. After talking about it with my wife, we agreed to the 3 weeks. We'll just spend more time (and money) at the laundromat.
The New Dryer Is Here! No, It's Not
After 3 weeks, I called F&P to find out what was going on. They told me that they did not know what was going on and would have to call me back. "You don't have that information in your computer?" "No. We have to make calls and send emails to find out what is going on," they say. Okay, I'll wait. I get a call about an hour later, telling me that it is scheduled to be delivered in 2 weeks. "What? Why? It's already been 3 weeks!" He says, "Yes, we know sir, but that is when it is scheduled to be delivered." I asked, "Is there anything you can do to speed this up?" He says, "I will send an urgent email and someone should contact you in 24 hours." Right. We've been without a dryer for six weeks and the solution is to send an "urgent email" and wait.
Epilogue
It is difficult to determine exactly what went wrong. Was it the product QA? Was it the training of the repair personnel? Was it the supply chain? Was it that customer service apparently has no way of determining the status of your problem? My guess is it is probably a little bit of all of the above. It has been more than six weeks since our Fisher and Paykel dryer broke and we're still waiting for the replacement. We are out $400 but that doesn't matter to us anymore. We have had to put up with the inconvenience of driving to the laundromat every week to do dozens of loads of laundry.
Maybe a dryer will come eventually but the damage is done. We need to replace our stove and were considering a Fisher and Paykel stove. There is no way we will ever consider buying another Fisher and Paykel appliance, and all of our friends and my business associates are now aware of our experience with Fisher and Paykel.