Complaint Review: Home Depot / Maytag - Parsippany New Jersey

I understand your frustration with the situation. Let me tell you this is exacty how all appliance retailers handle this situation. It may sound stupid and unforgiving but there are reasons for this that you as a consumer need to understand. First and foremost Home Depot did not make the product, which means THEY do not warranty the product, meaning just because it does not work they can not replace it, I will explain that in one minute. Second, the unit was manufactured by Whirlpool in Germany, yes Maytag is no longer a Manufacturer, they are owned and operated by whirlpool as of January 2007. This means Whirlpool, writes the warranty guidlines for that machine, if there is a problem you must have a whirpool/maytag authorized tech out to fix the unit, they build it they have the right to fix it. This all gets to another point for the retailer, if they choose to replace it here is what wil happen. First they will not get credit for the machine from the manufacturer because it was not deamed unrepairable by whirlpool. Then it wil be sent to whirlpool to get fixed, repackaged and sold as second hand equipment. Now the manufacturer gets to sell it twice when the retailer gets no credit for the bad machine. Consumers really have to understand that the washer that they purchased in 1976 was manufactured with higher quality and better materials, HAND BUILT FOR THE MOST PART. Where as of today its a game of numbers, how many can they build a day, In this case figure that number is 7000-10000 maytag epic washers, built by machines and computers. Failure rate is higher than it was back in the 70s and 80s, and quality is way down. Most consumer goods follow that path. For the idiot that says not to buy extended waranties, boy you must be an advocate for consumer reports. The average failure rate for a front load washer does not happen in the first year, 40% happen between the 3-5th year. Do you have anyidea how much parts and labor costs in todays market? Common rule, if it deals with water (Fridges, Washers, Dishwasher) it would be wise to look at an extended warranty. These are the most costly and most frequently repaired. Also there is no such thing as a lemon law for appliances, yes three of the SAME repairs in a 12 month span generally gets you a replacement. However this usually covered only by an EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!! not the manufactuer it sucks but this is how things work

If the product has to be repaired, it is no longer new. It is the same as remanufactured, except with lower quality workmanship because it wasn't done at the factory. Almost all extended warranties are scams. A good number are in effect at the same time as the original. Others, if they do any work at all, repair products with substandard and nonstandard parts. Most do nothing but suck some money out of your wallet.

I work as a salesman at THD. You're being treated most fairly by Maytag and THD. They are fixing your washer; it is still under warranty (but only for the first year). I have people that call all the time and complain about how they should receive a new machine and not a "lemon". Fact of the matter is, Maytag is not going to replace a whole unit because it cost the company less to fix a part of the machine versus giving you a new one. If you are really worried about the washer still, you can buy an extended warranty through THD. It's $69.95 for an additional 2 years (3 years total coverage from D.O.P), and $99.95 for an additional 4 (5 years total coverage from D.O.P). You also get a "No Lemon" policy with THD extended warranty. That is basically is if the same problem happens three times or more, then they will replace it or get you (in your case) a washer of equal value (be sure to check with your salesperson to make sure). I know it seems unfair to you, but this simply isn't a ripoff. If Maytag didn't fix it while it was under warranty, then I would agree it is a ripoff. As far as THD goes, if you didn't buy it as in-store stock, there isn't much of anything that they can do. If it was bought as an in-stock item, then you have 30 days to return it to the store (manager willing).