Bosch electric cooktops

[awg]

a very non-stock matter I know, but any ideas or opinions welcome

bought a top-of- the range electric cooktop made by Bosch when I re-did my kitchen 4 years ago. ($1600)

now, 4 out of the 5 elements have burnt out, meaning I need to replace it.

I spoke to Bosch Australia about this, as to why this would happen.

They told me they had never heard of such an occurence.

I spoke to the technical manager at length, and the best he could come up with is "voltage spikes" and suggested I check with my energy supplier.

even though I knew this was probably BS, I did, they said my power supply is fine.

I have asked Bosch to supply me with a new unit at a discount, as the warranty is only 2 years, but they are reluctant.

I will be writing to them again shortly...any ideas?

I am most reluctant to replace with another Bosch unless they discount

[Stan 101]

How did the electricity supplier audit the power? Usually there is a UPS style inline recorder used for a week or so to check for voltage irregularities.

I'd get Bosch's thoughts on paper and make a phone call to my insurer and get it covered under burn out.



cheers,

[Anastasia]

We live in a set of 5 units and recently the unit owners upstairs complained that all four of their cooktop element thermostats had gone. We checked ours and indeen one had gone...result is that the coils only go flat out. When we phoned the local Blanco dealer, their response also was power spikes as the cause of the problem.

Not so expensive for 1, but you can imagine what the owner up stairs is saying having to replace all four thermostats at almost $150 each.

[Julia]

Don't mean to cast oil on the fire here, but I only recently had to replace two of my four burners on my ordinary old (16 years old in fact) Westinghouse cooktop. Oven fan has died (rarely used it anyway), but oven and grill are still fine.

[awg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Julia Don't mean to cast oil on the fire here, but I only recently had to replace two of my four burners on my ordinary old (16 years old in fact) Westinghouse cooktop. Oven fan has died (rarely used it anyway), but oven and grill are still fine.

[jono1887]

Considering the price of the item, you would expect it to last more than 4 years. Theres really not much you can do if its due to your power supplier but you could always threaten to write a letter to the consumer affairs or any other watchdog as I believe there is an implicit guarantee for all products that they are expected to last for a 'reasonable amount of time'. I would suspect that 4 years for something like that is very unreasonable...

[trainspotter]

If the warranty is for 2 years and you got 4 years out of it, what is the problem? I understand you are peeved that you should have received a better run out of the Bosch cooktop as they normally have a pretty good name. Unfortunately I cannot see the manufacturer assisting in this one. I have had instances where the warranty has run out literally to the day of the product and the manufacturer refused to assist. After threatening blue murder (turnover was 18 million at the time) and advising them that we would be changing suppliers they begrudgingly gave in. I could suggest that whoever you decide to purchase the new replacement from that you explain the situation to them and see if they will give you a discount either on the same product or to entice you to try a different brand perhaps?

[Solly]

Quote: Originally Posted by awg a very non-stock matter I know, but any ideas or opinions welcome bought a top-of- the range electric cooktop made by Bosch when I re-did my kitchen 4 years ago. ($1600) now, 4 out of the 5 elements have burnt out, meaning I need to replace it. I spoke to Bosch Australia about this, as to why this would happen. They told me they had never heard of such an occurence. I spoke to the technical manager at length, and the best he could come up with is "voltage spikes" and suggested I check with my energy supplier. even though I knew this was probably BS, I did, they said my power supply is fine. I have asked Bosch to supply me with a new unit at a discount, as the warranty is only 2 years, but they are reluctant. I will be writing to them again shortly...any ideas? I am most reluctant to replace with another Bosch unless they discount

[Ardyne]

Solly is on the money. A product has to do what its advertised and sold to do. Warranty has nothing to do with it if the unit did/does not perform the job it was designed to do.

Threaten to take them to consumer affairs or whatever it is (ACCC?). Its not very expensive to do I believe. Like $200.00 or something.

[jono1887]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ardyne Solly is on the money. A product has to do what its advertised and sold to do. Warranty has nothing to do with it if the unit did/does not perform the job it was designed to do. Threaten to take them to consumer affairs or whatever it is (ACCC?). Its not very expensive to do I believe. Like $200.00 or something.

[nunthewiser]

buy a gas one

[jono1887]

or try induction cook tops... more expensive but also more energy efficient.

[Ardyne]

You're right jonno but I meant when you take them to court (but its not actually court) like mediation or something.

[Smurf1976]

Quote: Originally Posted by awg I spoke to the technical manager at length, and the best he could come up with is "voltage spikes" and suggested I check with my energy supplier. even though I knew this was probably BS, I did, they said my power supply is fine. I am most reluctant to replace with another Bosch unless they discount

[Julia]

Quote: Originally Posted by jono1887 Considering the price of the item, you would expect it to last more than 4 years. Theres really not much you can do if its due to your power supplier but you could always threaten to write a letter to the consumer affairs or any other watchdog as I believe there is an implicit guarantee for all products that they are expected to last for a 'reasonable amount of time'. I would suspect that 4 years for something like that is very unreasonable...

[awg]

An update.

Bosch have offered me a replacement at less than 50% new retail price.

Good they are prepared to support the product.

thanks to ASF members who replied to my initial posting.

I believe it made a difference when I advised them i was discussing the matter on a public forum

[jono1887]

Quote: Originally Posted by awg An update. Bosch have offered me a replacement at less than 50% new retail price. Good they are prepared to support the product. thanks to ASF members who replied to my initial posting. I believe it made a difference when I advised them i was discussing the matter on a public forum

[inenigma]

Switch to Gas....

[awg]

Quote: Originally Posted by inenigma Switch to Gas....

[jono1887]

Quote: Originally Posted by awg would have to use gas cylinders