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Allison's Nightmare with Currys and Electrolux

April 1999 we purchased a Cyclone Electrolux vacuum-cleaner from Curry's, we'd just moved
into our first new home and obviously need a vacuum-cleaner..
 
Two weeks later we began to have problems with the machine.  I telephoned Curry's to tell
them that we were not happy and that we wanted a refund or an exchange, they told me that
because it was an Elexctrolux product it was a matter that we had to take out with them and
not themselves and there was only a certain period of time that we could return goods and that
time had expired, "but id purchased it from you" they were not interested and gave me the
number for Electrolux.
 
Well I telephoned the £1 a minute line to be told that I wasnt looking after the machine
properly.  After 20 Minutes of explaining to me how to un block pipes and a lesson on
changing filters, I grew furious and demanded that the machine was replaced.  I was then given
a local number to call where an engineer would come and pick up the machine and determine
whether I had in actual fact broke the machine or whether it was a manufator's fault.
 
The machine was picked up and taken away to be returned with a new motor in it. Nothing
more was said about it perhaps being a manufactor's fault.  It didnt concern me too much
because I knew that I had a years warrenty on the damn thing and if it continued to pack up on
me I wouldnt have any problems stating my case as it would be all down on the enginees
paper work.
 
I didnt expect this kind of problems with my merchandise so I telephoned Curry's and
demanded a refund, or an exchange.  Curry's told me that they can only refund or exchange
after a certain period of time.  I couldnt believe it! I have NEVER had any problems exchanging
anything in my life whether it was a week or 9 months old.  Again this was an issue I was to
take up with Electrolux.
 
A couple of more weeks passed and yet again the vacuum-cleaner wouldnt work and yet again I
telephone Electrolux £1 a minute to be told im not looking after my vacuum-cleaner properly! I think you
can imagine my anger at this point.  They told me that If i continued to use my vacuum-cleaner my
carpet would come up looking brand new.  I wanted it looking clean after using it the
once.  I then had full details of how the machine cleans my carpet etc etc etc..........I couldnt
believe what I was hearing!!!
 
Yet again the vacuum-cleaner gets taken away to have the motor replaced.  All in all I think this
happened about 3 or 4 times.
 
Enough was enough, I wrote to Elextrolux explaining that My free year warrenty was rapidly
running out and my concern was a) the further cost of extending the warrently for a faulty
product and b)this would be an on going issue.  I asked that the matter should be resolved
promptly whether it be by replacing the product or refunding me.
 
Well as you can guess we received no replies what so ever to ANY of our correspondance. 
We are now lumbered with a machine that is constantly blocking up and the motor being
replaced aww perhaps on a monthly basis.