My neighbour's washing machine burned out and she had to buy a new one. From Harvey Norman. Seems the warranty is not part of the deal. She had to pay $70 and buy one. There are 16 clauses or reasons why it may not be a valid and she forfeits it. Is this now common practice?

What brand is it Joybel? Normally any whiteware (to be used domestically) should automatically have a 2 yr warrantee and under the CGA should be trouble free for 5 yrs. Tell her to check with her local CAB before she pays anything.

Are you sure they are not talking about an extended warantee...she would have to pay for that and they are not worth it cause she'll be covered by the CGA

It is a Simpson automatic with a surge prevention. She says she had to pay for the warrant. I asked if it was a five year one but she says it is the only warrant she knows anything about. It is on the back page of the Instruction book and is part of the books contents. I have my doubts. She wears a cochlear implant so could have missed something. I don't want to appear nosey. Nearly $700

Has she paid it? Sounds like an extended warantee which isnt really necessary

She had to pay to have it installed, and paid cash. There is a 14 day clause but if she has already signed up for all this political ripoff she may not have a hope of cancelling it.

Fair Go and Consumer have emphasised frequently that extended warranties are a ploy that Companies use to make money and they pressure customers to feel obligated to purchase them. The Consumer Guarantees Act stipulates that a product must be repaired free if it breaks down within a time period in which one would expect it to last. Even though there may only be twelve months or even a shorter time mentioned with the product, a washing machine should last a lot longer than that and if the Company or the Manufacturer refuses to repair it free of charge, unless the problem was due to mishandling, it is suggested it be taken to the Dispute Tribunal to settle
However, the extended warranties can be worthwhile with computers or electronic products. They shouldn't be necessary for household applicances.

But $70 is not an expensive warranty. I paid several hundred for the warranty for my printer and also for my video/ DVD combo. As it eventuated the DVD recorder broke down after 4 years so it was worth it because I don't think the CGA would have covered it for that length of time. Unfortunately it then broke down after 6 years and was no longer covered. The printer also broke down after two years and Harvey Norman replaced it (it had cost over $500 reduced from $850) but the replacement was only worth $560 and not nearly as good as my original one.

Are you aware that many home appliance shops that replace an item under a factory warrantee will only give you a warrantee on the replaced (brand new) item for the remainder of the first item?

FOR EXAMPLE
You buy a washing machine with a two year warrantee. It "dies" after 23 months. It cannot be revived so shop replaces with a brand new machine, HOWEVER the shop tells you this machine only has a one month warrantee and will try and sell you a warrantee for $50. (I think this would be classed as an extended warrantee)
HOWEVER
There is no need to purchase this warrantee as you still will be covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Hi Silverfern,
How are you?
Doreen and I are haveing a great time here in oz we have a mobilhome and been to plenty of places.
Bye for now,
coalminer

Has anyone had any dealings with a telecommunications company called Spirit Telco. I would be interested how you found them.

Shoes - are they narrower or are my feet getting wider? my toes feel so cramped up these days. Your opinions please.

I don't think there is a "Standard" shoe size anymore. I think that it's all to do with international trade and each manufacturer sets his own standards. Same with clothing, Last year I went into the Warehouse to get some "T" shirts, same shop two different labels and XL in one was the same size as XXXL in another.