Washing blues ( NOT ) (Haier HW-C1260TVE)

Member Name: Donf18

Product:	Haier HW-C1260TVE
Date:	11/10/08 (658 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap and nice looking

Disadvantages: NONE so far

The very smart looking white unit, which the very kind Argos man had just delivered, was something my wife had been waiting on for ages. What with car MOT and repairs and god knows what else the funds just simply were not available for a new washing machine, and other priorities were dealt with first. So when the funding became available you can imagine how relieved my wife was to finally have a washing machine again. The old one god bless it's little old motor had served us very well and my wife had pondered seriously with the idea of getting one of the same manufacturer's newer model.

However it was an article in a magazine that was highlighting up and coming electronics company Haier that swayed both her and I towards one of their models. Haier are a Chinese company and I suppose the best comparison would be saying they were the Chinese equivalent of JVC or Philips. They make various electrical items, but mostly they concentrate on washers, fridges, and TV's. Their huge reputation preceded them and being one of the most popular electronic retailers in China, they are currently making huge endeavours to break into other markets especially USA and Europe. They have just signed a massive deal with the American NBA in which they will receive a huge amount of advertising on their billboards and trackside advertising boards.

After we ordered it I came across some reviews, which really put me off, but the purchase had been made and time would tell. To me it just looks like any other washing machine and is pretty much the same size as our old one. The one thing I have noticed is that it is really quiet, especially on the spin cycle..................I'm so used to the old one chugging away in the background that it had become a distant chug. The controls are man proof; well they have been up until now that is. Just turn the dial to one of the settings listed to the left of the control know they range from Prewash, Cotton, Synthetics, Wool, Cashmere, Silk, Quick Wash, Rinse, Spin, and Drain. Each has a green light above it, which lights up when selected. Beneath the control knob is the main Power On/Off button, which I do believe needs no introduction. Directly to its left are a series of 4 buttons Delay to delay a program for a selected period. Temp to select a temperature for a program.............NOT all programs can have their temperature changed. Spin this button changes the spin speed, but I never use it cause I just always have it on full spin, because I know no different. The last button in the list is the one nearest the Power button and is the start/Pause button, which again needs no introduction I hope.

In order to use any of the buttons you need to know what the settings are, and here a small 2-inch wide by about 1-inch high digital display shows the required info for each button press. So the basis explained and tested it was time for the first wash and I was frankly expecting a disaster after reading some reviews. I guess this time I got lucky cause we've had it a while now and have had no problems apart from deciphering parts of the instructions on initial set up. Three bolts had to be removed and the instructions were to say the least a little vague. Even though there were three blatantly obvious bolts, they were not precisely where the instructions said so be deliberated a while and eventually took a gamble on the obvious ones and we were right. The machine cost £169 from Argos but is available in other stores like Comet and Currys. As I said I read some very negative reviews, but have myself had no problems, If the problems had been a serious as some other reviews indicated then I do believe that the three stores mentioned would have had to do something, and perhaps they did. All in all though I'm quite chuffed and I haven't heard a word of complaint from she who truly understands such equipment. It also plays a nice little tune when finished, but I have noticed that the last minute of any cycle takes ages, so here I'm guessing this has all to do with the safety lock mechanism for the door. All in all though for the money it's a pretty good machine, which does a mighty fine job on all fronts.

Summary: A nice looking practical and good machine

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