The three main choices when buying a washing machine

People are starting to trust online shopping and it's currently booming. The Internet has become a very important market place and online sales of white goods seems to increase each year. At the very least, most people say they research buying decisions online even if they eventually buy in a traditional store.

Companies going bust

In the current economic climate we are seeing household names go bust, and there is a real concern that whether you order a product in a store, or online, you could lose your money. I recently read about Empire Direct where the administrators were called in generating headlines such as, "thousands of customers who have paid for goods they have not received will lose their money".

The important thing to remember is that those who paid their deposits or the full amount by credit card should get their money back. I would expect that most people will use a credit card when Ordering goods online. However, it is possible to use a Switch card, or even to pay by PayPal or some other similar alternative method. In the best of times it is always better to use a credit card because of the extra protection. In these uncertain times I would think it is essential. ( Extra information including a link to full explanation of your rights under section 75 of the credit card rules on my white goods Blog - Buying appliances online: What if the retailer goes bust? )

Buying options

When buying a washing machine, there are three common options -

1. Buy from a traditional shop or store by visiting in person
2. Buy from an online web site run by a traditional store
3. Buy from an online web site that has no stores and only operates online

 

The first option needs little comment. Most of us know roughly what we can expect from all the major retailers with both online and physical stores. We've probably all bought from them in the past. For people more concerned about price though there are many online companies selling that don't have a store and they can potentially undercut some prices. The second and third options have a subtle but important difference.

There are many online web sites selling washing machines, but only some of them have a physical store too. Famous stores like John Lewis | Comet | Currys also trade online and offer many items cheaper than you can buy them in their own stores. This seems a little crazy, and people are often frustrated to find that if they physically turn up at one of these stores they have to pay the store price, and cannot buy the washing machine at the company's web site price.

Ultimately their online store and the physical store are run as separate businesses with different costs, and virtually competing with each other. However, the two cannot totally disassociate themselves from each other because they are trading under the same banner and are still the same company.

One way round this could be to create new online stores with a new name, and this is what the company that owns Dixons and Currys appear to be doing with new online sites such as Pixmania which people don't realise are owned by them. Currently the same company is selling the same products through Currys stores, Dixons stores, Currys online, Dixons online & Pixmania online.

Anyone can sell washing machines online - even if they don't ever stock any

If you can create a web site prominent enough, you can put pictures and prices up where customers can buy online. You don't need to physically stock any washing machines, nor ever deliver one or ever have to deal with one broken down under warranty. You just take the orders and get the manufacturer to deliver the washing machine. If anything goes wrong with it and they ring to complain you just pass them on to the manufacturer. You can sell washing machines cheaper because you have far less overheads.

While on the face of, cheaper prices are great for the shopper, there are potential complications with buying from a third party if they are only really ordering the washing machine from the manufacturer as opposed to selling you one from their own stock. It can take longer to have the washing machine delivered because your machine has to be ordered again from the manufacturer. A second issue is that they usually use the manufacturer to deliver so you have more companies involved in the process, the one you are buying from is only organising everything. However, if you are saving a lot of money you may be happy to accept this. To find out if a company is selling machines they already stock or if they just order from the manufacturer you need to look at their terms & conditions (TOC) where you will usually see reference to this.

The truth is that to a certain extent (and this applies mainly to certain types of goods) companies only selling online, with no shops, and far less staff, could be accused of being parasitical if they rely on people researching and seeing the product in an actual store (that they don't have) before buying.

Many white goods retailers invest millions of pounds in large stores, stock, and in training staff (although not very well in many cases - (one notable exception being John Lewis who give a minimum of 2 year guarantees on washing machines and white goods and are consistently voted best retailer for customer satisfaction). The retailers with traditional stores often have dozens of washing machines for us to look at, measure up, prod and poke, pick up a brochure, ask questions and even get a feel of the build quality. If we use these stores, and the time and expertise of their staff to make a purchasing decision - but then go and buy it from an online seller that has only a fraction of the overheads - then eventually the stores may no longer survive.

Steering away from the moral aspect, which you may not really concern yourself with anyway, the potential problems of buying from an online store only are listed on the next column.

Buy washing machines online

There are lots of places to buy a washing machine or washer dryer online and Washerhelp is a good place do it from.

Affiliate links help keep Washerhelp going without adding any cost to you the user. In fact there are often special offers only displayed by affiliates such as Washerhelp. If you are looking to buy, please help Washerhelp by using a Washerhelp link.

Best Retailer

John Lewis are a great place to buy a washing machine from. They give at least 2 years guarantee on all washing machines and other appliances - and even 3 years on their own brand (plus 5 year guarantees on TV's).

Free standard delivery on all orders over £30

They've also been voted top of the customer satisfaction polls by Which? consumer association. John Lewis - the best? (external link to my Blog)

Buy Washing machines and white goods appliances online

• John Lewis (Minimum of 2 year guarantees on washing machines and white goods. Consistently voted best retailer for customer satisfaction)
• Comet Web deals on white goods
• Appliance City
• Dixons
• Sainsburys Kitchen Appliances
• Currys Web offers on white goods
• Pixmania washing machines and dryers

Alternatively you can try comparing prices and finding out much more about Washerhelp's affiliates using my Buy washing machines page (Full page of retailers and online stores)

Special offers and discounts on washing machines

As an affiliate, many retailers regularly notify me of special offers, discount codes and money off vouchers for washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, fridges, fridge freezers and cookers. This section is where I post these offers - Special offers on washing machines and other white goods (goes to my Whitegoodshelp Blog)

See lots of retailers all on one convenient page

Alternatively you can try comparing prices and finding out much more about Washerhelp's affiliates using my Buy washing machines page (Full page of retailers and online stores plus reviews and information about them)