My tumble dryer broke this week, it was still coming on but the drum wasn't turning. Lots of helpful articles online about replacing the drive belt - seemed like an easy fix. We are shielding so can't have an engineer here and also can't do without a dryer. I called AEG to get a replacement belt, couldn't get through but a separate number for parts told me the dryer was still under warranty (5yr) so speak to AEG first to get free fix and parts.
Eventually AEG answered, very long drawn out phone call (kept putting me on hold to go and consult engineers or something) during the course of which I took off the casing to check drum belt was the problem. The whole inside of the dryer is covered in lint!
It is everywhere, all over the wiring and heating element, really really shocking. I can't believe how lucky we are that this machine hasn't gone on fire and I am so glad the belt broke first.
I told the operator the machine is unsafe and cannot be repaired, there is too much lint in it. I need to know if this is a known fault and need a replacement machine, we cannot have engineers in the house etc.
The operator put me on hold "to check" again and then eventually hung up. The call was well over an hour, most of that was spent on hold waiting for the operator to get back to me. I couldn't get through again after that and half an hour later got a text message with a booking for an engineer to visit and fix the belt. This was with a separate company again who I could only talk with online, they could only cancel the job and advise me to contact AEG head office (on the same number I had been trying).
This was yesterday, today that engineer job still looks uncancelled online. I will just order a new cheap dryer because we cannot do without but am really cross, this AEG one cost £800 and could have caught fire anytime! I can't see any other contact details for complaints.
Who do I notify about the danger of this? Please if you have one of these machines open the casing (top then sides) and check yours is not filling up with lint.