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Updated
15/09/00
AEG
Altogether an excellent range of products.
They offer a complete range of built in and free standing
appliances,
combining good build quality and normally very low energy
ratings. AEG is now an Electrolux owned company as are
Tricity Bendix, Parkinson Cowan and Zanussi, however
don't let this
affect your thoughts on buying AEG as I still find them
a very good overall product with good back up service.
I would
point out that a few of there products are now built
in the Zanussi factory . This is only of recent and as
far as I
can see only affects some Washer Dryers and built in
products. Back up service is carried out normally by
serviceforce who
also mend other Electrolux products. I find the back
up service for AEG products in my area normally very
good.
Visit AEG at www.aeg.hausgeraete.de
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BOSCH
A very large range of products covering
virtually everything in the kitchen. With factories all
over
Europe its seems
that less and less of there products are being
made in Germany. In the past ten years I feel the quality
on
some of there
products is not as it was. This is more obvious
in
some of there refrigeration products where the
door furniture
is
somewhat thinner than older models. We are also
finding there washing machines less reliable, with our
customers
calling
us for repairs more often than ever before. In
particular the Spanish built ones of which we now don't
stock.
However its not all bad with the new German built
range of MAXX
washing machines having a larger than average 13lb
load whilst looking
very solid inside. Bosch dishwashers have always
been excellent and continue to be so whilst still
being
very quiet, reliable
and giving very good wash results. There built
in range is also excellent with a massive choice and
up to do
date designs
to complement. Back up service in our area is generally
very slow, not what you might expect from Bosch.
I find that they
can take up to 7 days to call sometimes which if
you have a broken fridge is no laughing matter!!
Visit Bosch at wwww.robert-bosch.co.uk
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CREDA
Historically known for there cookers
and tumble dryers they also do a nice range of built
in
products with a
large choice of styles and colours. In particular
there new range
of menu cookers which look superb are well
worth a look. There tumble dryers are still very popular
whilst
still
being quite reliable and cheap. With almost
all
of there freestanding
range made in U.K. they still continue to make
good quality products which are both stylish
and reliable.
Beware
of built in fridge's as these are not made
by creda. Creda are owned
by G.D.A.(General domestic appliances) who
also own Hotpoint, Cannon and Expelair. Back up
service I
find excellent
in our area as are spare parts availablity
and techinical advice.
Visit Creda at wwww.creda.co.uk
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HOTPOINT
Hotpoint are the best selling brand
in the uk. Hotpoint still offer 5 year
guarantee on
parts
with all
of their appliances
as well as the first years labour.In recent
years they have been accused of unreliability
(Watchdog
in particular
)but
things are about to change. They have just
brought out a whole new range of machines
which has cost
them in
the region
of £26 million.The range is available
in 4 colours, Polar white, Zircon silver,
Natural linen and Natural
oyster. So far these are untried but from
what I have seen they
should be the quietest Hotpoint washing
machines ever. The changes
made include a bigger 12lb load drum, electronic
controls, stronger constuction and 'A '
wash rating. The dishwasher
range is also very interesting as it is
largely built by Bosch, but with the 5
year parts guarantee.In many
cases
with more programs and better specification
it is well worth buying as great value
for money. Also remember
if changing
a built in machine and you want to avoid
the high costs of buying built in then
the range of 4 colours will
look good
in most kitchens. Last but not least refrigeration,
the colour choices make it easy to look
good and brighten up
your kitchen,
but beyond this is a fridge just a fridge?
Well yes and no most of the range are fairly
standard but for
larger
fridge/freezers
check out the very high spec Mistral range.
If you really want to be different take
a look at the classic
retro silver
machines very classy but not for the faint
hearted.To summerise things are in flux
right now but in my humble
opinion the
new range looks good value. Service and
spares is well up amongst the best.
Visit Hotpoint at www.Hotpoint.co.uk
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ZANUSSI
Zanussi are Italian built machines
and this is obvious across the appliance
types
by looking
at the
design flair,
prime examples being the new IZ washing
machine and the OZ fridge. The machines
look good
and are for
the most
part
very quiet and reliable, but how
some of the stranger ones would look in your kitchen
is
debateable .
A word of caution
however the Jet system washing machines
are great if hard water is not a
problem but
can block
up in hard
water areas.The
internal trim on their fridges is
very stylish and practical and I think the
range is good
value for
money.It is also
worth checking out the built in range
for stainless steel in particular. Their dishwashers
vary
from the very simple
low cost machines to the very high
tec both are good but the cost varies considerabley.
As for
back up
and service
I would say average to good, parts
are
generally
available quickly.
Visit Zanussi at www.Zanussi.co.uk
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Disclaimer
The above guide is here to help purchasers
of white goods and offer free independant
advice to prevent
unsuspecting
buyers who may get caught out by
the manufacturer's "hype" or
superstores lack of trained staff. Trade secrets have been
brought to you exclusively by M.A.Wash Vac Services using
the experience from 18 years of selling and repairing domestic
appliances. At time of writing, all the information is correct
and to the best of our knowledge up to date, however it must
be stressed also that everything written on these pages is
soley the thoughts of M.A.Wash Vac Services and not endorsed
by any manufacturer.
If you require further "NO
NONSENSE" independant
advice
please do not hesitae to call
us FREE on 0800
0960051.
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