Plastic guarantees?

[Martin]

How long do you guys guarantee replacement plastic door handles and door handle kits that you fit? Do you give any guarantee at all? 😕

I’ve currently got a landlord who is tearing his hair out over the amount of times he’s had to pay for me to replace a door handle kit on his crappy Servis. The tenants are as dim as a TOC H lamp and have busted 3 sets so far in 18 months!!! 😯 Each time I demonstrate the ease in which the door can be opened and shut and have insisted on them waiting at least 4 minutes for the interlock to release (it operates within 70 seconds in fact).

I have to admit I don’t guarantee them more than the time it takes me to leave the premises. Though I do guarantee the Interlock for 12 months – (changed last year in fact – just in case it was playing up?…don’t think it was though?)

He is now blaming both his tenant and me for these crappy handles yet has agreed to pay me once again for calling tomorrow and fitting yet another handle to the darn thing. (Servis M328 by the way :rolls:) So that’s OK 😀

But nevertheless these parts are a pain in the proverbial should there be a recall. Often it is hard to explain to the customer the frailties of plastic components and the reasoning behind why any guarantee doesn’t apply once the damage has been fully rectified. The use and darned right abuse they are subjected to is not hard to fathom, but very often the person that broke it claims total innocence anyway! “It just came off in my hand!”….or…..“I only opened the door just like you showed me!”…….Yeah right!:evil:

[squadman]

Re: Plastic guarantees?

This ones an old chesnut is it not ? As engineers we can only fit the parts that are available and in the case of door cathes Servis in particular you are right to offer a guarantee that lasts until your out the building. Everyone knows how flimsy the Servis catches are and why should we have to offer a ongoing warranty on these crap parts especially in a Rental Accomodation enviroment where the landlords are happy to take the money but are notoriously known for NOT wanting to pay out !

No its a sad fact, Landlords normally by base entry level appliances to fit in these properties and everything is done on the cheap the modus operandi being that the Landlord has the view that ” It ain’t worth putting anything decent in as it will only get wrecked ! Is it any suprise then that when something does get wrecked they have got the nerve to try a play on idea that WE are to blame , I don;t think so !

[silverbroom]

Re: Plastic guarantees?

Hello Martin,

Over the years I to have had just a few probs with these handles breaking, the last time was about a year ago when the new handle kit broke after a couple of weeks.

As repeat customers of mine I knew they had a genuine complaint so fitted new kit FOC, however I also cleaned inside the door glass which seemed to need a tug to free it from the door seal, (build up of scum) after cleaning the door glided open. I now do this to all machines when fitting this type of kit.

silverbroom

[robbra]

Re: Plastic guarantees?

One other thing to look at…
Loosen the screws holding the door onto the hinge, lift the door and tighten. Often the door drops and makes it harder to close and open. I do this on all Servis, even brand new and never go back for a handle.
Rob

[Author]

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