According to a new survey conducted for AMDEA by YouGov, the great majority (60 per cent) of UK adults think their attitude to taking care of their appliances has changed over the past couple of years – whether to try to make their possessions last longer, or to save money or resources.
Yet almost a third (32.2 per cent) of people never or rarely register their large appliances. With an estimated 133 million fridges, washing machines and ovens in use in UK homes, this could mean some 42.8 million are unregistered.
AMDEA is urging all households to take the simplest and most important act of care: registering their home appliances to ensure their brands know where to find them. Whether machines are newly-purchased, long-installed, have been acquired ‘nearly-new’ or second-hand, registration is vital to help ensure the longest possible safe lifespan.
While recalls on home appliances are rare, issues with the equipment can develop over time and a simple, free in-home adjustment by a qualified engineer can ensure a longer and safer life for machines. But, unlike our cars, a vast number of these valuable possessions are still untraceable because they are unregistered.
AMDEA’s Register My Appliance portal provides a quick and easy remedy offering online access to more than 70 leading brands, with most accepting registration of both new and older appliances.
The Association’s recent survey also revealed that over a quarter of adults had already purchased a second-hand large appliance in the past, and half would consider it in the future. Similarly, in the past year, 53 per cent of adults had purchased a new small cooking appliance, but the majority (59 per cent) still had not registered them.
When it comes to older appliances, the majority of UK adults (57 per cent) are unaware that they can still register a machine even if they never had, or no longer have, the receipt. In most cases, all that is needed for is information about the model and serial number.
AMDEA Chief Executive, Paul Hide, comments: “The vast majority of appliances – new and not-so-new – can be registered easily and quickly. Given our growing concern that our possessions need to last longer, working safely and efficiently, it makes sense to take care to register all of our large appliances, as well as those small appliances that we’re increasingly relying on in the kitchen. When buying nearly new it’s also important to purchase from reputable sources, many of whom will supply a warranty.”
The survey also probed consumers’ understanding of the terminology used to describe different types of ‘nearly new’ appliances. Although the terms ‘refurbished’ and ‘display model’ were understood by many, less than half knew what ‘out-of-box’ meant, and only 22.4 per cent said they understood the term ‘graded’.
AMDEA is advising the public that it’s always good to question why the product is reduced and check for a warranty. Here are some typical definitions for guidance:
- Out-of-box, or open box: It is no longer in the original or sealed box. It is often an appliance that has been returned or used as a display model. It may have a small cosmetic blemish or scratch, which must be disclosed.
- Graded: Sometimes called ‘B grade’ stock or factory seconds, are brand new appliances that have been returned to the original supplier or manufacturer. The most common reason is due to cosmetic damage or imperfections on the appliance. The details of this should be made available.
- Refurbished: Products that have been returned because they were defective and have been fixed. Check that this has been done and tested by the manufacturer or their representative.
- Display model: This appliance has been on display; it has probably never been used but may have cosmetic blemishes, and the original packaging may not be available.
