Washing machine help! I’ve just had to turn away my brand new machine as it can't be fitted...

[SkinSkin]

It was a Bosch, and apparently the manufacturer insists it is connected using a water filter. This meant the fitters could not assemble it (integrated machine) and it had to go back. I've waited a week for this already, and have asked the company I bought it from which other machines will be the same. They couldn't answer me and tried to phone the manufacturers but didn't get any reply.
So I thought I'd turn to Mumsnet!

The two I'm interested in are the integrated Zanussi and the integrated Siemens. They're both 8 kg drums and A** triple star energy efficiency rating.

Does anyone know if they can be fitted the old gashed way using a standard hose and not needing to have a soft/hard water filter fitting?

Really appreciate any help from anyone as I'm struggling without my machine!

That's odd, because I had a new Bosch washer dryer about 4 months ago and that didn't need a filter. We got it from Currys and they installed it.

I think it may have a different system being a washer dryer. This is integrated washer only.

I had exactly the same problem a few weeks ago. AO were brilliant and taking away and refunding the machine. I ordered a different Bosch just checking that it didn't have an aqua stop on the back and it was fitted without any issues. I am really pleased with it

Was it integrated?

No it wasn't it was freestanding

Ah, yeah. They told me it's only the integrated ones.

Do you mean a water inlet filter? It's like a very small mesh sieve that fits on the incoming water supply to stop dirt going into the machine. It's inside the hose that fits onto your water supply already, although it's removable so can be cleaned if necessary. Did you have very new fitters who didn't know this?
I've honestly never heard of a water softening device needing fitted? Sure they'd be different filters needed in different parts of the UK, so how would that work?

I hadn't heard of it either. Apparently it's supplied on the end of the hose, which looks more of a box shape. It's a filter for softening water and I suppose intended to preserve the machine from limescale damage? Apparently to fail to fit it invalidates the warranty and the fitters just wont fit it! So either you have a machine to install yourself, with no warranty because you haven't attached the filter as per manufacturer instructions, or you change the pipework in your kitchen to enable fitting of said device.

Like I said, it seems that it's only Bosch integrated; their washer-dryers and freestanding machines are somehow exempt which is even more weird!

I'm trying to establish whether it's a Bosch problem or an AO problem.

I had the same problem with a Bosch Integrated washing machine, AO were very good they exchanged it & refunded the difference for a Hotpoint Integrated.
AO fitted it within minutes & said they had been returning Bosch machines because filter fitting problem.
Apparently there are quite a few machines with the filter, that’s why I decided on the Hotpoint because of the easy installation. Pleased with it 100%, love the 2 programmes for quick washes.

Interesting that it's AO again. I see it's for sale in Currys and I'm going to call them in the morning to check their fitting criteria.

Turns out after all that, it was the company I bought it from!

The first company refused to connect it and the second one (Currys) did it no problem at all. The exact same appliance!

Thanks for the update. So it was the AO fitters, not the machine?
I'm interested as I'm just about to buy one.

Yes it was.

At first I thought it was an independent company that AO employ, but they told me it was actually their own employees.

It's the strangest thing because Currys knowhow team fit the soft water filter connection to the extension hose. Does the same job apparently! It's the oddest thing.

But apart from another week's wait, it was worth it because Currys was nearly £50 cheaper for the exact same machine!