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Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
At last I have a working fridge freezer again!
The Hotpoint engineer called back on Wednesday afternoon and replaced the compressor again. I was a little concerned in the evening by the very loud noises, which were similar to those I heard before it broke. However, more than 36 hours since repair, both fridge and freezer are still cold and I have begun to re-stock.
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
Yes, it was the same engineer.
I was at work and had to ask my Mum to go round to let the engineer in for me, so I’m not sure exactly what was said, but having spoken to her again she has reported back that the engineer said the problem is definitely nothing to do with the gas. Apparently he also said that he has never heard a fridge make such a strange sound as mine was making the first time he visited!
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
Well, the verdict last night was that … the compressor doesn’t work! So the engineer is returning next Wednesday to replace it again.
In light of Bryan’s advice, I wonder if there is another problem, which caused the compressor to fail again. I turned the fridge freezer off, but it had been on for around 30 hours while I hoped it was just taking its time to cool!
Once the engineer has replaced the compressor again, will he be able to tell straight away whether it is working and if there is another problem? I can see this as a viscious circle of new compressors otherwise … ending in a new appliance!
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
It seems I spoke too soon! More than 24 hours since the engineer visited to replace the compressor and neither fridge nor freezer is cold. I can hear sounds of water gurgling when I open the fridge door. I’ve just arranged for the engineer to visit again on Monday …
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
hotpnt, I am not criticising the engineer for not having the part in stock, but suggesting that it is a flaw in Hotpoint’s systems that information given to customer services is not passed on to the engineers. I gave the model number of my appliance and had my serial number to hand had it been requested, so I would have liked Hotpoint to have arranged an appointment for a time when they could send an engineer with the relevant part. However, I appreciate helo_75’s point that customers may mis-diagnose faults themselves, resulting in unnecessary stock being acquired if the problem then proves to be something different, so it is probably standard practice not to do this. In my case, it was frustrating for me, as I knew I had not self-diagnosed but called in an engineer.
Anyway, the Hotpoint engineer called this morning and my fridge freezer is now fully operational again. My recommendation for the local business is purely based on the fact that I was able to communicate direct with the engineer and receive advice from him – and he was very helpful – rather than having to go through a call centre. Not really a criticism of Hotpoint any more than of any other large business these days and certainly not a criticism of the engineer who visited, who was friendly and efficient!
Once again, thank you to everyone on this forum who has helped. I will definitely visit the site again for assistance with any further problems, although I hope not to have any (perhaps helo_75 would say this is doubtful as I am now reliant on a repaired Merloni appliance!).
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
The Hotpoint engineer called to see my appliance last Wedesday and confirmed that it needed a new compressor. However, he didn’t have the required parts with him, so is returning this Thursday morning (i.e. one week later). So it looks as though I will get my fridge freezer fixed for Hotpoint’s standard £90 charge, but I am less than impressed with their customer service in sending out an engineer without the required part when I had informed the telephone operator of the problem. I am sure this is the same in many large companies though. Overall I am much more impressed with the service I received from my local independent engineer – the fact that I had a 5 year parts guarantee being the overriding factor for using Hotpoint in the end.
Re: Hotpoint FFA70 compressor
Thanks for your help, Don. I was aware of the 5 year parts guarantee, but wasn’t sure if I had to have registered the appliance when I bought it for that to be valid. I also couldn’t find the proof of purchase!
The engineer who looked at the machine for me quoted £207.40 for the repair, but advised that I should look around as it may be more beneficial for me simply to replace the machine. He was from RJB Refrigeration in Shrewsbury and I would recommend him based on this experience to anyone in that area.
However, I have now found my proof of purchase and called Hotpoint, who are sending an engineer on Wednesday afternoon to repair my fridge freezer for the standard £89.98 fee. If the machine is unrepairable, I lose the £89.98. Assuming RJB’s diagnosis is correct, I don’t think this will be the case, but it does concern me that I will end up paying for a new fridge freezer anyway!
Thanks again, I have found this forum really useful and I will update after Wednesday.
