Team-BHP - The Home Appliance thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatienceWins (Post 2698470)

He was referring to the drum motor.

I agree. I will stay away from IFB from now on. They replaced with a refurbished motor and it burned off after connecting, now replaced with another one. Hope it will stay until the AMC gets over. I would recommend to have AMC for IFB products.

The only plus point was that the service executives used to come with follow up.

Don't you see their plan? Sell low quality products so customer is forced to buy expensive AMCs. If you don't, then buy expensive spares (and labor). Its a win-win solution for the company to increase its profits and that too with substandard products.

I do realize that for those who have already fallen into the trap of patronizing such companies, its a loss-loss situation whatever you do. But seriously, it may be better to write off such a product when expensive repairs come up and invest the money in a more reliable product instead.

I'm dead against AMCs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon (Post 2699415)

agree: IFB quality was very good. I got the washing machine 9 years back and we have not faced any major problem so far other than the motor conking off now. The product quality/ service does not seem to be good now. I will go for another brand if it gives problems.

Indian customers are smart. IFB already has a bad name among my social circle. The current strategy will not take them far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatienceWins (Post 2698470)

I would recommend to have AMC for IFB products.

I seriously doubt their AMC policy. As per AMC, they should be replacing the parts (except rubber and plastic parts). But they replace with refurbished parts. Even the lock that they replaced in my WM is not new.

The rubber parts that they replace is not from IFB. I have very serious doubts on their entire service setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajakumar (Post 2699956)

You get the same parts if you buy them instead of going for AMC. So it is better to have AMC and later dump the product if it is not at all reliable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatienceWins (Post 2699901)

Indian customers are smart? Well, how many customers do some proper research before buying expensive white goods? Had this discussion with 2 - 3 friends in the past. The last one was just 2 days ago. The wife of one and mother of other were both insisting on purchasing IFB because their decade old IFB machines were so good. I'm not sure how well I was able to impress upon them that you cannot base current expectation on past performance in this fast changing world.

Well, India is a large market with all kinds of customers. I feel even their current strategy may work upto a certain time. Once it stops working, they will most likely mend their ways and again gain customers. True, they would loose good-will. They may not become market leaders. But hey, in such a large market you probably could still make some hay as the Sun in India has plenty of inertia and will always move much slower than such companies.

Was looking at 3 burner glasstop gas stoves yesterday, at a Sunflame dealer and in a Prestige samrt kitchen outlet. I felt the models offered by both brands in this particular specs are remarkably similar, probably sourced from the same manufacturer and rebranded. Sunflame one is ~500rs costlier than Presitge.

Any thoughts on buying a glass top one compared to a stainless steel model? Or there any other VFM brands which offer brass burners and good knobs which last for years?

In fact in many cases even if the corporate is honest (not all are) a major problem is the local service guy (in many cases it is outsourced). One reason for IFBs decline may be this. I had a Eureka Forbes chap pocketing the AMC money and issuing a fake (as claimed by EF) receipt. Also, Samsung in Kanpur were excellent until they outsourced. Today I am doubtful whether I will even buy a TV (which is very unlikely to require service) from Samsung local Reliance Digital and Jumbo outlets notwithstanding.

^^^ Hello there, long time! :)

Quite true about the outsourcing. However, in case of IFB the product quality itself has gone down. Dishonest outsourced Service Centers is another issue. However, in my personal experience, they did not do anything that would let me call them dishonest. But that would obviously differ from area to area.

Anyway, the best product is always the one for which you never need service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajakumar (Post 2699956)

As per AMC, they should be replacing the parts (except rubber and plastic parts). But they replace with refurbished parts.

Does the AMC contract mention that they will replace with new parts only ? I dont think so. Most times, the gist of the AMC is that they will keep the unit in working condition, repair or replace the faulty part as required. And warranty for replaced parts will not supersede the warranty of the whole unit itself.

Now, if a part can be repaired, then that is also as good as replacing the part with a working old part, only difference is that the old part was also from your machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor (Post 2701021)

If they are indeed replacing with re furbished parts, then all the more not to consider AMCs. Firstly, even in the period of AMC, repairs take time. I'v had to come specially and wait for hours while the carry out repairs. Its really a huge hassle when it keeps happening.

Further, parts are poor quality plus refurbished. So double poor quality! You'll always be stuck with the AMC. If you miss renewing even for few days, you risk big expenses. You'll be a perfect captive customer.

Don't patronize such companies. If you already have made the mistake, consider cutting your losses and run when big expenses come up. :Frustrati

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatienceWins (Post 2699901)

Indian customers are smart.

That is what I will call an oxymoron.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajakumar (Post 2699956)

Ditto here. Once they gave me a refubrished shock absorber. With AMC, I required service calls at 3 to 4 months intervals. Now, I go to a reputed local service center. (A service center run by a dealership). I selected them only because the service guy is a neighbour.

Now, I require a service call only two times in past ummm .... ummm... 9 months. One of them was because small clothes nowadays get outside the drum - did not happen earlier.

Ordered an LG Washing Machine 1256NDP from Reliance Digital. Total damages 27790 incl. a Rs.1200 trade in for my old LG. The price looked good, esp due to the trade in.

Noticed one glitch, the water inlet pipe has a non-standard tap connection (some odd tap coupling in place of the globally standard 3/4 threaded connection). So I will use the old pipe. Did not buy any guarantee etc. If in 8+ years I only had to change the micro switch once, bearings one, and the motor once (this is now covered for 10 years) then I see no point.