I have bought this machine(Godrej GWF 650 FDHP, Top loading) in the month of Oct 2010 during Dussera/Diwali time, to make sure I get some discounts and some festival gifts.
You will find its Pros n Cons below.
Requirements:
We have been using BPL Semi-automatic washing m/c for last 8 years, though it had its share of issues, served its purpose till date but it gave up as the Dryer motor stopped working.The technician too advised to go for new one rather than investing on the new motor.
My requirement is simple.
1) Upgrading the semi-automatic to Automatic(thus earning a WOW from ladies at home;)) 2) should be reasonably priced when compared with semi-auto' washing m/cs.3)Should serve a family with 6 members(+ regular flow of guests).4) Ease of operation is a high priority as my mom shouldn't feel the absence of my wife at any time as hindrance to run the machine on her own.
Research:
I started looking out, starting from the Best to Worst. Checked out all the machines from IFB, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG and Godrej, both top n front loading.Here I was struck a bit, if I should go for Front or Top loading.Now the research was centered around this.I compared the prices. The Best Front load m/c costing arnd/above 30K where as the Best Top load was avlbl at half the price.If I pulled down the expectations, I can still get Front load arnd 22-24K. I focused on IFB machines, the 5 kg model was close to 22 K but 6.5 KG was a bit expensive. LG and Samsung were arnd 22+.While the Top load ones where avlbl between 12k to 16 K max.
As I wanted to go for bigger one, at least 6.5 KG, I found the Front loaders proving expensive atleast 8K bucks.
I started to look at Top loaders chalking out+ves when compared with Front loaders.
The Top loaders, as I mentioned less expensive, it will be easy to operate for ladies, no need to bend on their knees(my wife then was carrying and mom has knee issues), it allows all sorts of clothes put together and washed( doesn't beg focus on type of clothes everytime), can be interrupted any time during the cycle(happens most of the time), though automatic, looks down to earth(as mom used to old semi auto m/cs). Though it is supposed to consume more water when compared with Front loaders(i read somewhere), the water is no issue in my present residence.Also power is not much constraint(either availability or the consumption).
Having settled for Top load, checked out into TMC-Malakpet during Festival season, hoping to better discount.Prior to that visited Hypercity showroom.There were few models against each brand, sought the help of the Sales guys over there to help in shortlisting a model.Having explained the pros n cons of each branded top load machines, he suggested to pick Godrej or whirlpool(certain model).
The technical details like Steel drum, plastic drum, speed, Hot inlet Cold inlet, vibrations, exterior qlty of plastic etc. I felt Godrej GWF 650 FDC suits the bill perfectly with the specifications.
Final Decision:
As GWF 650 FDC only supports cold inlet pipe, I wanted to look at other model GWF 650 FDHP, whose stock is not available in many stores. But finally managed to spot it at TMC-Malakpet.
I had bargained it for Rs.15, 600(w/o a PUC coating one more model was avlbl at 1000 less).with that some Rs.1000 worth of Kitchen gift set.
Features/Working:
It has the common features like, setting Hot or Cold water, Rinse, Wash, Spin as to our liking with options to opt a certain fabric like Saree, Jeans, Hard, Soft fabric, Fuzzy etc with DAC technology which can allow the machine to run from where it stopped when power goes off.Also it has gud toughened glass on top with good exterior build with good shine.
To make life easier, I have set a custom option choosing all purpose option, which runs with single button press for all mixed fabric for the certain duration and with certain no of Rinse n spins.
The wash quality is OK( may be the qlty can be still good if I choose the predefined settings for certain kind of fabric like for cotton and white dresses and have the sarees separely washed).At the moment all clothes are washed with only exception will be for clothes which shed color.
So far so good. Coming to problems part, I have this serious problem with the ON / OFF switch provided separately from the main control dashboard.Its more like push button with spring action.
This button doesn't hold to ON option easily.One has to try many times to start the machine(the switch works like calling bell:().After observing it couple of weeks, I have requested technician to check it.The technician recommended to replace the button and its unit for which I placed an order. It took many no. of calls to the service center and took more than 10 days to have it replaced.Luckily, the technician didnt take the faulty button with him when the order was placed.So somehow we managed to run the machine during these 10 days delay. This happened after 3 months of buying the m/c.
Now at the time of this review, I am stuck with the same problem.This time its proving far more painful as the technician took away the ON/OFF unit saying that he will replace the very next day.10 days passed I get to hear only one explanation i.e. no stock.
Now I am not sure what conclusion I should be giving on this machine from Godrej as part of this review.
Technically, the ON/OFF switch and its attached unit, is a very small part doesn't need state of the art technology to manufacture it.Also loss of it shouldn't be judged as poor quality w.r.t the whole machine as the toughest and important machinery and technology lies beneath the machine which seems working on expected lines.
Conclusion:
I dont want to rush to a conclusion that the washing machine really sucks and complain abt the service at this moment. We may have to wait for few more months to make an informed opinion on the product.
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Service wise, yes the parts availability should have been better.But reaching the technician or calling up the Toll free customer care is reasonably good.
I did see many complaints on other brands like IFB, LG, Whirlpool. It seems there is always a rotten egg which unfortunately some of us becomes victims of it.I must say I did read lots of stuff on this still couldn't manage to see a machine which worked satisfactorily for all(applies to all brands).
I guess, for all electronic products, we may have to develop some patience and perseverance when the going gets tough.Yes I can assure you sometimes our BP is going to touch nadir!
This is going to be my first impression on the machine which I wanted to share.Only time is gng to tell if this is a best buy(considering the issues currently I am facing) or not.Unfortunately, customer has no way to go if it falls apart, still he has to start trusting X or Y brand, which again doesn't guarantee us the reliability we expect.
God bless Customers!:)
Breaking news: I got the ON/OFF switch replaced after 12 days and after putting pressure from local guy to the manager in company Head Qrts. Point to note here is, none of then customer care guys were dis respectful and always were polite and gave an impression that the customer matters to them!
