We purchased this Sharp washing machine in Feb 2012.
Model No. = ES-N70ES-A
Dry weight of clothes = 8.2 kg
Cost = Rs. 21, 900 (did not get any discount from MRP)
Place of purchase = Thrissur, Kerala
We were looking to get a Japanese brand washing machine, and did not even know about Sharp. Primarily we had Panasonic in mind, but our mind changed as soon as we saw the Sharp. Absolutely stunning looks, with a unique feature being the fibre-glass body (=> won’t rust). Has great performance too, to boot. All in all, a highly recommended purchase. You will get a neat discount if you are in the NCR/Noida region, by ordering online.
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In order to evaluate a washing machine, it is perhaps important to take a look at its
backside (the side that most manufacturers hope will never be seen). Most brands
have cheap looking backsides, with some flimsy plastic "sieve" thrown in as an
after-thought. But not Sharp: every part of this beauty oozes class, from the power-plug
to the control panel to the inside.
It washes clothes very well, too, which is after all its primary job. No fancy settings here,
unlike some other brands; Sharp just goes about its job efficiently and well. Its water
usage is also quite economical, and has some rating from Singapore to prove it.
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The only point which prevents us from giving this product the maximum rating is the
poor after-sales service of Sharp (at least in Tamilnadu). Sharp advertises a much
ballyhooed 1-1-1 policy, but seems to ignore it in actual practice. It took us 3 weeks
and reminders to get somebody to come over to take a look. Till then, nobody even
called back. :-( It was a minor thing, and was fixed eventually, but the wait was
frustrating.
Sharp makes great products, but suffers from lack of brand awareness outside of niche
places like Kerala (which has a lot of gulf-returnees who are knowledgeable about Sharp).
Perhaps its low failure-rate and top-notch performance will change things around soon.