How is the Guarantee so Perfectly Timed?
I'm sure most people have experienced this one. You buy a washer (or any other appliance for that matter), and for a while life is sweet. Everything is going fine, not even a tiny glitch or funny noise. Suddenly there is a grinding noise, a flash of light, and a great pool of water over the kitchen floor.Instantly your mind tries to work out how long you have had it. Oh hang on, it was around this time last year, I remember it arriving and it was snowing.
Frantically you wade through a thousand receipts. Precious seconds are ticking away, time is against you. You must find that receipt.
You needn't bother rushing, you know in your heart you are a day too late.
So how is it done?
Here are the secrets:There are 2 basic methods used to achieve this result.
The first involves a clock on the circuit board. This is similar to the clock used to keep the time on PCs when they are turned off. This can then be set to expire in a number of days depending on the warranty taken out. This is done at the warehouse before the washing machine is delivered. It's no use grilling the installation guy about it, most of the time he's in the dark.
The second method involves radio signals. A shortwave radio receiver is placed inside the washing machine, similar to the type used in Bluetooth. When you buy the appliance, your address and guarantee expiry date is held on a database. As soon as the date has passed, you are then placed on a hit list. Next time the 'service van' is in your area it will make sure it passes your house. It will do this slowly to make sure the signal is received.
This method works best with extended warranties. As long as you keep extending, you have no problems. The one year you decide not to, bang, it breaks down. What's the chances of that?
Most times when this trick is performed, the circuit board is the part to stop working, and the washer refuses to do anything. This will dissuade most DIYers from trying to fix it themselves.
Sometime the trick will involve another part appearing to become faulty such as the motor not spinning or the washing machine not filling up. These variations are to misdirect the consumer, but are controlled from the circuit board.
Related Item : Is any of this true?