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Islanders with faulty tumble dryers are being offered an alternative option by Whirlpool following increased pressure by Guernsey Electricity.
Guernsey Electricity retail manager Malcolm Woodhams recently wrote to Whirlpool to urge them to do more to resolve the ongoing issue with some models of tumble dryers.
‘Whirlpool has been very helpful and I’m delighted that we have been able to progress this on behalf of our customers. They have listened to Guernsey Electricity, as a retail partner, and Valpy’s, as the island’s only Hotpoint appointed service centre. We knew we had to use our influence, and maintain pressure on them to provide an acceptable solution for Guernsey in light of the understandable anxiety and concern by owners of affected models,’ he said.
Whirlpool, which owns Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda amongst others, identified a safety defect in some models in November 2015 and since then it has been dealing with an estimated 3.8 million potentially faulty machines across the UK including thousands in the Channel Islands.
‘The modification programme is continuing at a rapid pace, and Whirlpool has confirmed that they will continue to have have two engineers in the island who are working with Valpy’s to deal with the list of machines needing modification. They anticipate completing that list by the end of May,’ said Mr Woodhams.
Whirlpool has started contacting local customers who have registered their dryer to offer three options. The first is to remain on the list for modification, which will be done at no cost. The second is to exchange their faulty machine at Guernsey Electricity or Valpy’s for a replacement at discounted price. The third option is for customers who would prefer to have their replacement dryer delivered to their home, for which there will be a small additional delivery charge. Customers wanting to exchange for a new dryer can choose either a vented, or a condenser type model.
Whirlpool will contact islanders in a phased approach to ensure that the programme is carefully managed for customers to receive replacement dryers.
‘It is likely to take a several weeks to contact everyone on the list and process their preference and so islanders shouldn’t expect to receive an email immediately. Whirlpool has assured us that that every customer who registered a faulty appliance will be contacted and offered the chance to exchange,’ said Mr Woodhams.
Mr Woodhams emphasised the importance for customers with affected models to register with Whirlpool in order that they will be notified of the alternatives available. Further information and registration is available at https://safety.hotpoint.eu/, https://safety.indesit.eu/, and https://safety-swan.eu or call a dedicated freephone helpline on 0800 151 0905.
