Should I use an immediate call-out repairman?

It’s very frustrating when you have lots of washing to do and faced with a faulty washing machine, or a freezer full of defrosted food. It’s tempting to use anyone who can come the quickest. But don’t be too desperate. Desperate people tend to be less discerning, and more likely to be targeted by cowboys. There are repair people that advertise immediate same-day service.

Often they claim to not only come the same day, but with no call-out charge, and will give a free estimate too. On the face of it this does seem too good to be true, and in some cases it is (Free estimates and no call out charges, are they realistic?). I’ve come across many customers who have found that although someone came out straight away, they simply took the washing machine away to the workshop and kept it for several days.

Some companies just collect washing machines

This practice may have died out by now, but quite a few of the companies that used to advertise same-day service with free estimates and no call-out charges had no intention of repairing your appliance the same day. They operated by having a couple of men who simply travelled around in a big van, collecting washing machines to take back to the workshop. Most of these washing machines ended up with expensive repairs “needed”.

I am not saying all immediate repair services will be like that, but make sure you ask if they take washing machines away first. Washing machines should not normally need to be taken away for repairs. Just don’t be so desperate to get your appliance repaired that you reject your regular repairman for one that can rush out within hours, but maybe leave you without your washing machine for several days.