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First mistake: I purchased a $$$ Whirlpool Water heater from Lowes. I paid an electrician $$$ to install it. It did not work. We placed it back in the box to return it to Lowes. When I returned it to Lowes, Lowes asked me to call a 1-877 number (customer service in India). I was told I was not allowed to return this water heater to Lowes. This item was faulty from the factory. No where on the box does it say "Do Not Return To Lowes." There is a sticker on the tank, but I bought this item in the box, and so my second mistake was trusting Whirlpool and Lowes. Had I read all these complaints about Lowes and Whirpool. I am out the price of the waterheater, paying an installer two times to install a water heater.
Why is Whirlpool still producing this junk? Why is Lowes selling this junk? Can someone stop them from screwing every unsuspecting comsumer?
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
The reason why you must call the manufacturer, is becuase the water heater is warrantied by the manufacturer itself. If you were to call the number you would get an RA number that would allow you to bring the water heater back to any whirpool dealer and either exchange it for another one, or simply get your money back. So suffice to say you are not out of the price of the water heater.
Also for future reference next time you choose to save money by having an unlincesed and unbonded handyman install a water heater (why else would you have someone else install it when lowe's, sears, home depot, even ace, and other nationwide stores offer installation on most product they sell, and its generally speaking cheaper then hiring your own licensed and bonded contractor) Most big box hardware stores offer installation and their own no hassle warranty. So if you had opted for the water heater install from the store, you would of esentially gotten that water heater replaced at no cost for you. If that its truly a product defect and not a botched install as its most likely the case when product fails immediately.
They're supposed to allow returns within 7 days without an RMA number from the manufacturer.
Did it go past 7 days?
And the reason someone would choose not to have home depot or lowes install the water heater is all the horror stories from people about how terrible the installers are that they contract with. Bunch of people who cheat you and come up with all kinds of crazy charges.
Lowe's is no longer allowed to accept returns on water heaters once they have left the building without an RA number regardless of whether it has been more or less than 7 days. Once it leaves the building Whirlpool requires an RA number. If the Lowe's store were to have done a refund without an RA number whirlpool would have denied the return.
Also, Lowe's installation is guaranteed for a year. If you have a bad experience with one of their installers, call them and let them know you want a different installer from a different company. If you go with a private installer, not only will they not insure their work(so if your water heater leaks you're out of luck insurance wise) but good luck getting them to replace the water heater or re-do the work for free and that's if you can track them down.
Sure, in the past Lowe's has had some dodgy installers, . However if something goes wrong with your install Lowe's is responsible, not some fly-by-night installer. This way you have a much greater probability of success for getting your repairs fixed even if Lowe's gives you a hassle because there are regulatory channels you can go through. Your local chamber of commerce, local legislature, local or state department of licensing and regulation(or governing body that handles SEP, Service Providers, and Extended warranty cases.
I'm a little biased because my wife works for Lowe's however before we met my own personal opinion was and still is that I would rather know that a store like Lowe's that won't be going out of business is responsible if something goes wrong rather than some installer that might be able to skip town.
My wife and I did a total re do of our kitchen 3 & 1/2 yrs ago with all whirlpool products dishwasher refrigerator stove and microwave only the stove has not broken down all top of the line or so we thought. The dishwasher has now broken for the third time the whirlpool people said they would fix it again for 365.00 and would guarantee it for a year. These will be the last whirlpool products we will buy the stuff is junk all made in Mexico and this is what the repair man told us. I don't see how this company can stay in business with the crap their putting out.
we purchased all new whirlpool for our home one year later microwave light board is bad . one month later the led board is bad in the fridge . DO NOT BUY whirlpool products ever, we cant get any help or warranty and yes we filled out warranty cards I have e mail proof