When Karisma first hit the market it was supposed to be lined up somewhere between fully automatic and semi-automatic washing machine with some value addition which made it attractive at least at first sight and also later on. In fact Samsung had just dumped the machine from Korea and it still had / has the Korean language engraved as I had picked this machine on the second day after launch.
I am using this semi-automatic since 2001 when it came without buzzer and when requested to fit a buzzer, the response was silent overwhelmingly. This sales service and customer care continues to do so till date.
Transparent lid is very practical, SO-SO design, overall highly utilitarian, good drain hose, which in fact is best in its class. Good fit and finish, washing is OK while spin-drying is not that satisfactory but will most of the time meet your requirement. Vibration is there at times, irrespective of cloths and its distribution. Till date no problem with any part of machine (except one) and the quality of parts used are appreciable to a large extent.
Now the worst – Recently my machine made a loud Thud! I saw my drum tilted in the machine housing, continuing to wash. I immediately stopped it. I found that one of the rod / dampener has come out of its support. The culprit of course was a plastic part which holds the rod / dampener and is suspended on a support frame. I went to authorized service center, which said that they do not sell this plastic part and I need to take the entire rod, to which I agreed (costing INR 260), but they said that this has to be on call basis which can be done only under their own service that adds to another INR 250. Now for a mere part of INR 5/- I cannot shell out my hard earned money this lavishly! I approached the regional and then the national service center through various modes, but without any result and no reply at all. After five days I just purchased Araldite worth INR 25/- & applied to the plastic part, kept it overnight and fitted it. Lo! it is going on till date without problem. It is here where Samsung looses its credibility – after sales service is a huge problem. Where the hell shall I purchase or get the drainpipe or water-connecting pipe, if they get damaged?
As for Samsung they might continue to say it has to be through their service center and their engineer shall come and fit the water pipe & drain pipe!! Its high time Samsung gets acclimatized to varying culture globally and its inviting trouble instead of customer.