General Chat

*$parkling $andie* ------ You are quite correct, Bosch have a good reputation. I purchased mine at a well known store in Newcastle during the January sales in 2003. It was reduced from £325 to £225 which I didn't consider expensive at the time. If GB waits until January she may get a bargain like I did instead of buying cheaper makes of machines which may not last as long. My previous washing machine was a Hotpoint which lasted 3 years.

Had thought about waiting until the sales.

Can I put up with doing hand washes until then ?

Two visits a week to the launderette will have to be ruled out on the cost.

Off for my fortnighly visit to the Job Centre. I hate that place.

You know how sometimes you think about the most odd things in the middle of the night? Well, have you checked if there is a grant available, although were you could ask is possibly a bit of a mystery. Could SS help? If you had children under 16 living at home, they'd probably be all over you like a rash, but not so hot for the single person or those with no dependents.

They might be able to put you in touch with charites, or suggest a good second hand source. There's no harm asking on freecycle; someone may even be willing to transport it for you!

Something else you could perhaps check out is if you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to. Below is an on-line calculator.

http://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/default.aspx

If you are considering waiting until the January Sales, is there a neighbour or friend who could put your washing through theirs?

Here's hoping that you can work something out!

I worked with a chap years ago who never bought a new washing machine.

He always bought 2nd hand and kept a spare in his garage.

He said most often than not the ones he bought, were just being given away or sold when a new kitchen was being fitted and he only bought those that were around a year old.

He & his wife had 4 children so quite a bit of washing through the week, he worked out that a 2nd hand one would last about a year and then he would bring out the spare and buy a new spare.

What a good idea. As long as the second hand ones were bought cheaply, it's worth a thought.
New is not always best: bought a Hotpoint Aqualtis washer dryer 4 years ago; it leaked all over the floor after a fortnight. Engineer came, disabled it - hadn't got a necessary part. After 4 weeks of frustration and many phone calls, was told engineer was on holiday, and I was down for next visit in 6 weeks! Thank goodness my daughter had a spare machine to lend me.
Engineer finally came back with new part. After 2 weeks the machine leaked all over the floor.......etc.

glitterbaby

u should be able to get a loan of some sort from the jobcentre [which wud have to b paid back, thet deduct it from ur dole money wen due] , also if memory serves me right their isa thing called community loan /payment this i no u dont need to payback both are available from jobcentre ask at front desk they shud be able to point in the right direction. you are so right is horrible at these places , my oh got told he better of getting retirement credit cos he to old at 61 for a job.
hope you get something

Thanks Rottie

Picked up the form on Wednesday. Was lucky that my appointment was with one of the more helpful Job Centre staff.

No idea how long it will take to process my aplication.

Mum is still offering the money but she is an old age pensioner so not happy to accept her offer.

Good offer on Currys at the moment on a Hotpoint

Hi GlitterBaby

Argos have a Beko 6kg load washer for £179.99 for pick up......£216.99 ( inc delivery , installation and recylcle ( assume they take your old one away ? )

To be entitled to a Community care grant or Budget loan from the Job Centre you have to be receiving one of the following

Income Support

Income-based JSA Job Seekers Allowance

Pension Credits (either type)

Income-based ESA Employment Support Allowance (the new IB)

Incapacity Benefit does not qualify –

I'll PM you details of a helpful website regarding Grants and Loans from the Job Centre,
I used to work for the Job Centre,specifically dealing with claims for Grants and Loans,.... the Government site is not reader friendly .. but this other site is,and looks at it from the person's claiming point of view and it is accurate.

Good luck if you have or intend to make a claim , and good luck again on finding a suitable one.

Sandie.