To be somewhat taken aback by Curry's estimated lifespan for a washing machine

[GleamingHeels]

Went with my mother to buy her a new washing machine yesterday, we'd made a list of things we required and selected the one we wanted... as part of the attempted extended warranty hard sell, the salesman told us that the expected lifespan of a washing machine 'these days' was two years!

My mum's last one lasted her fourteen years - single person, fairly light use, my last one lasted me at least eleven... have we just been really lucky or was the salesman talking through a hole in his fundament or possibly chasing some commision for selling insurance ?

[RandomMcRandomer]

My hoover washer dryer is 5 years and counting.

The one we had before that lasted 11 years. It may have been fixable but I didn't trust it after it flooded my house.

I worked at pc world back in the day and the dsg group sales policy was all the same. Sales people got slightly more per hour wages (about 15p) if we met store targets. I was the epitome of no pressure sales. I gave people help and advice and left them to make a choice. I was the highest performing sales person almost constantly but got a metric fucktonne of grief for "not selling enough cover" I left over it and haven't touched sales since.

[MissVictoria]

My washing machine is older than i am, and i'm 27!
Was one of my parents wedding presents, not sure of the make but it was a washer and drier 2 in 1. Cousin broke the drier part by pulling the knob off when i was very young (cousin has 10 years on me) when she house sat one time we went on holiday. This poor washer has had to cope 20 years with the typical washing rota of a family of 4. For the past 6 years since my germ phobic OCD went in to overdrive and it was a case of a shower EVERY time i went for a wee with 2 full size towels a go and a complete clean set of clothes it's had to handle multiple wash loads a day, and still going strong. It has taken to dancing across the kitchen floor in it's senior years when in use, and if it moves to a point where the floor is uneven the drum won't turn properly, but she's a togh old bugger.

[AcrossthePond55]

My Maytag washer and dryer are still going strong. Got them as a housewarming gift in 1988. But there's not a computer component in either machine. Belts, pulleys, wires and circuits. DH has replaced a pilot unit in the dryer and a circuit in the washer.

I think it's all the modern technology/computerization that has shortened the lifespan of most appliances. And planned obsolescence.

[UptownFlunk]

Never accept something worth hundreds of pounds only lasting a few years. I habitually complain about goods that haven't lasted long enough and, if you do it authoritatively enough, you will nearly always get a replacement. You do have to be prepared to write very stroppy letters and to just generally make a nuisance of yourself on review sites and Facebook pages though. I work too hard to waste my money on items that are not fit for purpose when they should be.

[RebootYourEngine]

I have only had indesit machines and the first one lasted about 4 years because the floor was set wrong in a new house and it ruined the drum. The next one i had lasted about 8 years. Have had this one about 2 years.

Two years for a white good is ridiculous. My tumble dryer was the cheapest one in the shop and its lasted about 6 years so far.

[HermioneWoozle]

We had a Hotpoint that lasted just over two years, broke down completely 3 months after the warranty expired. Had only bought one as my mum's Hotpoints had been so reliable. They went down massively in quality in the late 90s though, unbeknownst to us. After that we got a basic Miele which lasted 11 years. Now have a Bosch.

Will never buy a mattress from Dreams as they only last 8 years, apparently . Current mattress from House of Fraser is 15 years old and counting.

[ForalltheSaints]

I'd have been shocked. Though I would never have gone to Currys for a washing machine. On my third one in 25 years, bought a couple of years ago.

[GleamingHeels]

Ooh, hello! The washing machine my mum bought which sparked this thread is still going strong (Hotpoint, I think) as is my nearly five year-old Zanussi washer-dryer... there that'll have attracted the attention of the fates and put the kybosh on them both