With the ongoing and very fluid situation surrounding coronavirus (COVID19) we have seen, are seeing and are aware of upcoming delivery issues that will affect many aspects of the appliance industry. And now we have Brexit on top of this to contend with.

We’re really sorry but delays to many things are inevitable and there is very little to nothing anyone can do about it, it is the environment that we are operating in and this may well affect things until late 2021 or even into 2022. And it’s not just us but other industries as well, please see the video below.

Our delivery estimates are based on “normal” conditions and it may take longer than shown to get spare parts to you due to all that’s going on.

For the foreseeable future, things are not normal.

Takeaways of major points before you read any further:

• New customs and border arrangements are causing delays to inbound spare parts due to Brexit from 1/1/21, many of which will persist until new rules come into force
• Virtually no spare parts are made in the UK, tens of thousands are not stocked in the UK, therefore, many will be delayed, stock outages are to be expected
• There are production delays for appliances and spare parts as many plants have been shut for some time
• Delays are liable to persist for months, well into 2021 for parts and new appliances
• Distribution hubs, warehouses etc are slower than normal due to social distancing measures
• All carriers have ongoing issues that may or may not affect deliveries, this is seemingly random
• Plastics have been proving a particularly difficult issue for many as well as other raw materials
• Everyone is doing the best they can under the present conditions!

The situation is fluid and can change by the hour let alone by the day!

This means we often have little more information than customers who can also watch the news which his also our primary source of information as much as it is yours.

We will update this page as best we can when we can as we are trying our level best to help everyone through this and in our usual honest and blunt fashion we’ll tell you how it is, factually with none of the flowery stuff. 

New Product Deliveries

Rumours suggest that deliveries of new appliances will become increasingly harder as time goes on as supply chains dry up. Industry sources tell us that, “delivery delays are inevitable, if possible and supply may dry up”

Unlike supermarkets when the supply dries up, it may take weeks or possibly months before availability returns to normal.

If you don’t **NEED** it, don’t buy it.

Please, other people may have a dire need that is greater and that applies especially for refrigeration products.

As at 25-03-2020 reports are coming in that supplies of some appliances are running low, more on closures etc here

In-Home Service

Again, expect delay and expect all to prioritise key products where service can be delivered. Please note that some service operations are already shuttered.

That means that essential products, i.e. refrigeration and cooking products will take precedence.

Anything else will be regarded as non-urgent without a good reason to reconsider that.

If you do have a service technician visiting then you must take reasonable steps to ensure both your and their safety and with many, if you don’t they will turn around and walk away.

From Miele, the clear common-sense advice is:

• They must be able to wash their hands before and after carrying out the repair
• They will ask you to stay a safe distance away of at least 2-3 metres, or ideally in another room whilst the repair takes place
• They won’t ask you for a signature once the visit is completed to avoid contact
• If at any point, our technician believes that entering your home could be a risk to you, them or other customers, the visit will be aborted and rescheduled

Sorry but virtually all service techs are not taking chances with your or their own health and that will override all other concerns.

We know some people will likely kick-off as they think all this is nonsense but, breaking news people, it ain’t nonsense at all. Complaints about it are very liable to fall on deaf ears and be ignored as the health of all is far more important than a busted machine and that is your health as much as the techs.

Key Products In Order Of Importance:

1. Primary refrigeration (not secondary units, not wine coolers etc. but special circumstances, insulin/medication etc. are okay)
2. Primary cooking products (not microwaves etc other than special circumstances)
3. Core laundry products (washing machine, washer dryer wash functionality)

Non-Urgent Product

• Dishwashers
• Wine coolers
• Cooker hoods
• Microwaves
• Steam ovens (where not primary cooking but most owners will have a hob so, non-urgent)
• Waste disposal units
• Hot taps
• Tumble dryers (Many will repair and treat as necessary for NHS/key workers only)
• Vacuum cleaners outside commercial key use scenarios
• Any small appliances

Do note that when times are tough the repairers will prioritise calls as they deem appropriate so, the elderly, special needs users, NHS staff and key workers on this occasion, families and so on will get priority.

Spare Parts Deliveries

All carriers are warning of delays. There are no exceptions.

This is inevitable and all suppliers will suffer from the same issues as carriers prioritise essential stuff, like food and so forth.

Next day delivery services all state they will not guarantee normal service and so far, we are seeing delays are as all retailers.

Massive volumes, totally beyond the norm mean that normal delivery schedules are out the window.

The rule of thumb is, do not expect normal delivery times on most spare parts.

Here we will continue to operate as normally as we possibly can but please understand that a little patience may be required and that we will try to prioritise core products also wherever we can. We can only do our best under the circumstances as can everyone else, we’re just more honest and blunt in telling you that, straight up and not sugar-coated.

And it affect others as well, please watch this:

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Brexit

Brexit and the new customs arrangements are having a very profound impact on what is, as with most industries of our type where a JIT (Just In Time)  delivery is used as almost all spare parts are made outside of the UK with millions not stocked in the UK but in EU hubs.

What prior to the UK’s exit from the EU many of these could be in the UK in 24-48 hours. Now, that will often be 3-7 working days or more due to the new arrangements and customs checks and this is causing delays on top of the pandemic delays that were already causing issues.

This has also led to us having to sadly take the decision to suspend delivery services to Northern Ireland and all EU States and we are deeply sorry for this, we didn’t want to do so but the new processes make sending small value items commercially uneconomical. More on this in these articles:

Northern Ireland Delivery Suspended

EU/Channel Islands Deliveries Suspended

Royal Mail

Royal Mail has advised that Special Delivery services cannot be guaranteed as usual.

We expect normal services will be subject to delays, what, how long and so on we do not know and it may well vary by area.

They also stated in a FAQ that:

Can customers catch coronavirus from the mail?

Public Health England has advised that there is no perceived increase in the risk of contracting the new coronavirus for handling post or freight from specified areas. From experience with other coronaviruses, we know these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or parcels.

Hermes

Hermes are likewise, they cannot guarantee normal service levels.

Again, we do expect that there will be delays.

Parts Sources – Manufacturer/Distribution Centres

This is the great unknown as delays will vary wildly depending on where the source is, even down to the country never mind much else. What transport is like from source and much more.

This is a lottery and will vary brand by brand, where parts are, and more.

So far, we’ve not seen too many problems other than parts from Italy, quite obviously that is a problem presently.

However, we do expect to see delays from other regions in time.

Overall Advice

Expect delays.

Irrespective of what parts or from who parts are ordered from.

Please do not give any supplier grief as they are not holding up parts at all, we’re all busting a gut to get parts to people the best and as fast as we can but, we have to deal with the reality of the current situation.

Sadly, that also means so do customers.

Please be patient, everyone in the industry is doing the best they can, as quickly as possible.