So we wanted to replace our 6 year old LG Tromm, because the machine was not working and LG service center repaired it twice, charging us for various things but it wouldnt work. When we complained regularly for a month, the answers were - it's going to cost you 4, 000 to replace this part or the other - right on the phone!
Knowing these machines last about 10-12 years, we weren't too happy, but took the message and started looking for another brand. We finally zeroed in on Samsung or Siemens. Being a little worried about not finding spare parts, we decided to go with Samsung.
The experience has been poor from the word go. We bought(correction: paid) for the machine at Croma and were told it would be delivered next day. Waited the whole day, called up, were asked to reach other numbers and finally the machine arrived 2 days later, when we threatened to block the payment on the card.
Installation - another set of calls to Samsung and Croma alternately, till 2 days later, the samsung service center manager promised he would get it done the same day. it happened - sort of.
Sanjay, the engineer arrived, unpacked the machine, put it in a corner and refused to either connect the longer drain pipe we already had(why why does Samsung provide a drain pipe that is so short it can only drain on itself and nowhere else?), refused to level the machine or test it for one cycle, and left. We complained on Samsung website, also called the samsung service center manager.again, who was sympathetic, but no action.
Now, being an engineer myself, I borrowed a spirit level from a friendly neighbourhood carpenter and did the needful. A bit apprehensive of opening the back to replace the drain pipe as these guys would then make a noise about warranty being void, but I am resigned to doing it myself in a week, if noone turns up. After all, we bought this to use, not to display.
Posted a review on the samsung website - surprise, surprise, it never passed the moderators' eagle eye. And this from a company that claims to be a worldwide leader "which listen to their customers" their words not mine. ha, ha.
My wishes to Samsung - When India gets consumer protection laws in place, I hope you get your pants sued off you. And as to buying another korean product - no way.
There are bells and whistles, but the serviceability is far better in indian products, not because they are more customer focussed, but because they are older technology and independent repairers do the job - thank you.
So, advise to you looking to buy a washing machine, if you can afford to go all the way, buy a siemes. If you cant, save yourself some money and buy a videocon or a godrej top loading machine - the efficiency is lower, but they last and last and last.
- Thank You! We appreciate your effort.