An unnaturally high number of calls

[familychoice]

Have you ever noticed when calling wretched customer 'support' on the phone how many times you're stuck in a long queue due to 'An unnaturally high number of calls'? If my call is so 'important' to you then why don't you get a few more operators? Fascists.

Latest breakdown in the FC household is the washing machine packing up. But not only is there a problem with this, there's also a problem with the so-called 'Mastercare' service we pay for every year who are supposed to 'speedily' come and fix it when it goes wrong. They've told us it's going to be two weeks before anyone can come and look at it and of course, you can't get through to them on the phone to complain.

Washing machine: Broken
Mastercare service: Broken
Customer service: Broken
Me: smelly

[familychoice]

Oh here we go, the usual - half an hour on hold, then get through to someone who says they will put you through to 'the appropriate department' followed by a disconnection.

As predictable as the rain.

How do these companies get away with this poo?

[Dom]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

[familychoice]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

Always a bonus, particularly if you have my luck with electricals.

I gave up with the 'official' support number and complained to their parent company who chased them up and got the date moved forward to Tuesday. Mrs FC was impressed, she'd been on the phone for about an hour trying to get a better date.

[Tony]

'Mastercare'

That's your problem right there!

They'll probably take it away for a couple of weeks as the 'engineer' who calls is most likely to be a lorry driver who can check the plug, then send it back to you with no fault found as it still plugs into the socket (one of their deep diagnostic tests that is)

So unless it's a dodgy plug, yuo = fuxxored!

Your welcome

[sarahA]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

Just because someone else is responsible doesn't mean you don't get the same hassle or delay on things:
- last house we were in, boiler went 10 days before christmas and had to be completely replaced, this was done on christmas eve. We had no heating or hot water (except for the electric shower) the whole time, it was a bit cold.
- same house, 2 days before christmas eve went, the electric shower blew (landlord had fitted it himself we think). It got repaired 6 months later.
- current house, shower went about 4 weeks ago, took 2 weeks to get it replaced.

only difference between renting and owning is cost

[familychoice]

'Mastercare'

That's your problem right there!

They'll probably take it away for a couple of weeks as the 'engineer' who calls is most likely to be a lorry driver who can check the plug, then send it back to you with no fault found as it still plugs into the socket (one of their deep diagnostic tests that is)

No, I'm quite good at this sort of thing.

We've also got an agreement with British Gas 'Homecare' who we had a range of issues with e.g: they flooded the bathroom and kitchen *5* times when attempting to fix a simple leaky pipe. Eventually after another of their escapades a few weeks later - 'servicing' a perfectly working boiler that they managed to break, and then leaving us in sub zero temperatures with a new born baby and no heating for several weeks - each time coming back with 'the wrong part' and going away again - I kidnapped the engineers toolbox when he went out to his van to get the inevitable paperwork. They threatened all sorts, police, MI5 etc. but I can be quite big and stubborn when I put my mind to it and told him he could pick it up when he returned from 'the depot' with the correct part.

It was fixed almost immediately and now I can hear the fear in their voice when we ring with another issues. We've had no shoddy service from them since.

So, anyway we get 'Mastercare' out on a regular basis as well and up until now they've usually been pretty good. If they're not, then I'll hijack his plunger.

Your welcome

Mat?

[familychoice]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

Just because someone else is responsible doesn't mean you don't get the same hassle or delay on things:

I can't remember the full details but when we were renting years ago I'm sure there was some regulation somewhere that clarified what a 'reasonable' time was for completing repairs. When we had issues and the landlord wasn't doing anything about it we got a quote from a local engineer and told the landlord we'd either get them out to fix it and forward the bill, or they could reduce our rent/provide compensation while the issue remained as we were paying for a furnished property with fully working items. It was remarkable how quickly they then got their own chap out to do the job.

[yawner]

There's a smashing gadgey in Hexham who fixes white goods. He was worth his weight in gold when we had the guest house. Would you like his number?

[sarahA]

There's a smashing gadgey in Hexham who fixes white goods. He was worth his weight in gold when we had the guest house. Would you like his number?

Ooo think he'd pop down to fix my washing machine? The on/off switch gets stuck at times and I've got the top off the machine to be able to pop it back out when it does, otherwise can't use it. The kettle's gone too (the element, power is fine), but going to see if Breville'll fix it first.

Just waiting for our yearly problem with the boiler to go now...

[familychoice]

Repair bloke came out this morning - he says they're very short staffed so my complaint probably moved me up the queue a bit. He fixed the washing machine - fairly major bit of kit, the timer went and apparently the part alone costs over £100 so that's covered our yearly cover costs!

[Shirker]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

Sounds like just another delay before actually getting someone to come and fix it.

[Dom]

I suppose that's one good thing about having a landlord that supplied a couple of white goods... they're responsible for repairing them if the goods go wrong.

Sounds like just another delay before actually getting someone to come and fix it.

Depends on the landlord. Plus, some of them are OK with the tenants phoning someone to come and fix the thing, and then sending the bill onto the landlord. Hell, some landlords give you numbers for their preferred plumbers/chippies/etc because they've done work for them before, or they've got some kind of deal going. Situations like that tend to help get things done, as the guys you call out know that they'll get paid, and get regular business too.