John Lewis Jlblwm 1401

[Kay]

First can I say what a great website!

My Tricity Bendix BA450 has just died on me, so I need to replace it

I emailed Tricity Bendix (which turned out to be Electrolux) to ask for suggestions for an equivalent replacement to the one I have already and they suggested the Zanussi ZJ1218. Searching the net for possible built-in machines I came up with possibles from Hotpoint BWM 129, Whirlpool AWM049-3, Indesit WM12X and Tecnik TKL9260 (never heard of them?) and a few other Zanussi models:

Then I found your site!

I noticed you're not a fan of integrated machines, but as my kitchen is totally built in (washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher, fridge, freezer) I really don't want to spoil the look of it so it'll have to be an integrated one. I really wanted a hot and cold fill, but see from your site that they are nearly all cold fill these days.

On your recommendation I checked out the John Lewis website, although they don't have any integrated models on there, so I phoned them. It seems they have a model JLBLWM 1401 for £499 - 1400 spin speed and the same dimensions as the Zanussi. I just wondered if you knew anything about this model or have any recommendations from the other models I've mentioned?

Thanks in advance for any help, you really have been a great help already!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks Kay. Tecnik is one of those "brands" like Electra, that is't a normal brand. It's one that could be made by several different manufacturers for a kitchen company (Mowben). Over the years they have been made by Bosch, Whirlpool, Fagor and Rangemaster. It can be more difficult to get spares for unless you can find out who really made it. Also, some of the manufacturers are OK and others not so good, so again, you need to know who really makes it before considering buying. My experience is that sometimes even the people selling don't know and may have to enquire.

Out of the list you mentioned, I would be choosing between the John Lewis and Zanussi. The John Lewis washing machine you mention is also a brand that's commissioned, and you need to find out for sure who makes it. I would guess they are made by Zanussi and if so, it's just a question of comparing the JL model with the Zanussi ones. The reason I believe they will be made by Zanussi is because the free standing John Lewis washing machines are made by Zanussi. They are Zanussi washing machines with a few minor changes and the "John Lewis" brand. John Lewis give a full 3 year guarantee with these washing machines.

I personally find them my favourite company to buy from and as such am one of their affiliates. I expect if you ever had any problems with one of their own brands, they would make sure things are sorted to protect their name.