- Report: #74223
Complaint Review: AM Appliance Group - (ASKO Appliances) - Richardson Texas
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
AM Appliance Group - (ASKO Appliances)
1161 Executive Drive West Richardson, 75081 Texas, U.S.A.
Phone:
972-644-8595
Web:
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AM Appliance Group - ASKO clothes dryers made in Sweden have serious design flaws causing the machine to breakdown repeatedly American distributor will not address this problem Richardson Texas
Swedish-made ASKO washers and dryers are purported to be extremely eco-friendly, using less water, detergent and electricity than American models. However, they are considerably smaller. We designed a utility room to accommodate the ASKO's (which fit under the counter) but after six years of misery decided to go with an American brand.
Unfortunately, it would mean remodeling the utility room, cutting out the counter, re-wiring the recepticals and the breaker box. We decided to give ASKO another chance. The new machines are 1/2 inch taller which meant we still had to modify the counter, plus the washer plugs into the dryer which now has an American pigtail on it so we had to have it rewired both at the wall and the breaker box anyway. Then the dryer broke down five times in four months. The machine has a light fixture inside that does not meet UL approval so there is no light, just the housing.
The flange on the dryer is not beveled so if anything heavy, like a beach towel or a bath mat hooks over the flange it wedges between the light housing and stops the drum burning up the belt. ASKO refused to address this problem. The dealer also refused to address the problem so we eventually filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General, and with Good Housekeeping, who had touted ASKO.
The dealer eventually took the machines back and refunded our money but ASKO insisted that it was improper use of the machine and refused to address it. The dealer told us that they had 20 ASKO machines warehoused that had been returned. We switched to an American machine and are amazed at how little time it takes to do twice the load, getting it far cleaner and fluffier than the ASKO. In the long run I think that this American model is far more eco-friendly than the ASKO.
Sandra
La Center, Washington
U.S.A.
Unfortunately, it would mean remodeling the utility room, cutting out the counter, re-wiring the recepticals and the breaker box. We decided to give ASKO another chance. The new machines are 1/2 inch taller which meant we still had to modify the counter, plus the washer plugs into the dryer which now has an American pigtail on it so we had to have it rewired both at the wall and the breaker box anyway. Then the dryer broke down five times in four months. The machine has a light fixture inside that does not meet UL approval so there is no light, just the housing.
The flange on the dryer is not beveled so if anything heavy, like a beach towel or a bath mat hooks over the flange it wedges between the light housing and stops the drum burning up the belt. ASKO refused to address this problem. The dealer also refused to address the problem so we eventually filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General, and with Good Housekeeping, who had touted ASKO.
The dealer eventually took the machines back and refunded our money but ASKO insisted that it was improper use of the machine and refused to address it. The dealer told us that they had 20 ASKO machines warehoused that had been returned. We switched to an American machine and are amazed at how little time it takes to do twice the load, getting it far cleaner and fluffier than the ASKO. In the long run I think that this American model is far more eco-friendly than the ASKO.
Sandra
La Center, Washington
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Stephen
Albany,New York,
U.S.A.
This is an isolated case
#2UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 19, 2004
i should clarify my relationship with this company.. i am an appliance parts and service manager with a company that deals with AM Appliance.. i would like to point out first to this individual that AM Appliance is NOT a manufacturer.. they do not manufacter these appliances.. they are distributors and this is how my company is involved with theirs.. we purchase parts for ASKO brand products exclusively from AM Appliance.. in my own personal experience, AM Appliance is one of the most efficient and curteous companies we deal with.. when we call, the phone is answered immediately and we are able to get all the information in any case.. orders are received within 2 days if the item is in stock, and within a week or so if not, depending on whether or not the item is backordered.. this does not relate specifically to this case, but i mention it in defense of the company's character.. now in defense of ASKO.. ASKO is a high-end brand of appliance.. the units are expensive, and for a good reason.. they are well made machines.. we rarely have calls for major repairs and as a result do NOT stock many ASKO parts in our warehouse.. most repairs are superficial (dryer belts, dishwasher racks, etc.).. in all of the years i have dealt with ASKO i have not had a complaint like this.. i honestly believe this is an isolated incident.. no product can be perfect.. no product will never have problems.. i can totally understand AM Appliance's reluctance, given my experience with ASKO (especially since they deal so much more with the brand) to believe the account and accept a refund immediately.. i work on dryers personally and belts being burned out can be caused by simple overloading, and it is extremely difficult to stop a dryer drum from spinning.. i have never encountered the problem you describe.. so again, i believe it is an isolated incident and not something that ASKO refuses to address.. as far as your figure of 20 units in the warehouse.. you should bear in mind that AM Appliance is a distributor, like i said before.. there distribution area covers the entire U.S.A.. i myself am in NY state and have dealt with them for years.. and lastly, your post seems to be directed at ASKO.. i don't think you should include AM Appliance in the thread heading, when your complaint has very little, if anything, to do with that company.. it is misleading..
