The BPL ABS 50F Fuzzy Logic Control Fully Automatic Washing Machine, is a washing machine without any fuss. I do not understand the usage of fuzzy for this machine.
I have been having this machine since 1997. When I bought it the price was Rs.18, 295 (less Rs.1000 discount). The machine has been smooth in its service.
In the course of the last four years or so, I had problems with it only a few times. During the Warranty period, complaints were attended without much delay.
When I had some problem with it last year, I phoned BPL, and it sent a person from its Franchisee. He immediately replaced the inlet valve or some item like that and charged me Rs.700 or so.
Since the machine was under insurance cover, in his presence I phoned the Insurance Company and apprised it of the problem. I also said, the technician is before me, and since washing machine is a daily necessity, I cannot afford to go through the formalities of the Insurance Company, such as sending it first the estimate of the repair, then filling up a form, then waiting for the Inspector, etc.
The Branch Manager agreed, and advised me to proceed with the replacement of the part. He also sent me through a messenger (rather unusual for Insurance Companies) the claim form, and requested me to send him the defective part. I did this, and soon I got my cheque for the payment I made to the Franchisee.
It was then the person suggested that I could take an AMC in which case the BPL will take care of all the repairs and services. I did so.
Since the Washing Machine had no problem, I did not make any complaint. But last month or so, its spinning noise was too loud and the entire machine was shaking like an Oracle, as though it was possessed, which in Indian conditions is supposed to be a prerogative of only the humans.
I immediately called up the Franchisee. The technician inspected the machine, and said the shaking was because of the uneven distribution of cloths inside. All the same, he took the opportunity to clean it. Though I had paid the Franchisee whatever was the AMC charges, the technician came for the first time just a couple of days before the AMC was to expire.
I took exception to this, and asked him to write in the service slip that he had come for the first time. Then I phoned BPL and briefed it of what happened. The BPL immediately contacted the Franchisee, who in turn arranged to have the machine taken for servicing and cleaning.
I understand that as per the AMC the Franchisee has to service the machine twice a year, besides attending to complaints. I do not know if what was returned after servicing was my own machine or some other one, as I had no way of verifying it.
While the machine is good, and has served well for about four years, the BPL has to tighten its service part, especially through Franchisees.
Incidentally, the BPL has a web site for its products. I had posted a complaint about its service. I did not get any feedback. It is a case of going global before being local firmly and friendly. I am not happy with its web site. In some sense, it is now fashionable for a number of companies to have web sites, which is a poor surrogate for window-shopping, and these are not of much service to the surfers.
However, I am satisfied with the Washing Machine.
The only problem, in cities like Chennai, is of water, especially, when in several areas people have to buy water in Cans, and in a number of places the water available is saline. Probably BPL will come out with suitable mechanisms to build into its existing machines and as part of its next generation of Washing machines.