Appliances - buy in UK or France?

[Guest CFrost]

Help

We're refurnishing a property in Loire Valley and are looking for some new appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, fridge & hob/oven). We know some good/cheap places in the UK to buy these but don't know of any in France (yet!).

Given the size of France is delivery an issue, ie do you need to find a local store? Does anyone have any suggestions on where we can look - ideally online. We are situated close to Le Mans if that helps. We're going to be in France over the holiday period and would love to be able to arrange delivery for then.

While I'm on the subject is it suggested to buy these appliances in France or is it ok to buy them in the UK? Just wondering if there are issues with the plumbing compatibility.

Any help is much appreciated!

Many thanks

 

[Agenais]

Here are a few places to look at online,

http://www.conforama.fr/ConfoOnline/accueil.co

http://www.but.fr/

http://maison-jardin.ebay.fr/

http://www.auchan.fr/

Don't think there are any problems with compatibility, washing machines here only take cold fill, unless they have changed suddenly, so you just need a Y connection to get them to run ok. 

Happy shopping

 

[andyh4]

Reasons for buying in the UK:

The goods may be cheaper (but also may not)

You understand the installation and operating instructions

You know which brands are the best

Virtually everything will be compatible with French systems except (as stated above) washing machines which are cold fill only in France

 

Reasons for not buying in the UK:

You will have to ship them making your cheap purchase more expensive than buying in France

You will have to change all of the plugs - which may invalidate any guarantee due to the no unauthorised repairs/changes clauses.

Most of the better brands are available in France anyway.

Your UK gaurantee may not be valid in France - most countries have differences in their consumer rights laws and these are reflected by sometime quite different terms and conditions.

If you get a "UK" brand, getting it repaired may prove very difficult.

Even with an international brand, there may be model differences which could make some parts difficult or at least time consuming to get.

Some brands come with multilingual instructions - if this is going to be an issue ask before you buy, or write to the manufacturer for the equivalent instructions.

TVs/Video recorders may not be compatible.  Make sure you have both PAL and SECAM (for France) as options on any UK purchase.

[Dunton4]

We have ordered a couple of items from Darty (www.darty.com) and have enjoyed excellent service.  We have found them very convenient because you can order online from the UK and specify a delivery date for when you are in France.  Delivery and installation has been free.  We shall be using them again.

Sue

[Sophie]

Many thanks to all of you for your help.

Very useful!

[Debra]

Onour last trip, we bought our washing machine, tumble drier and gas cooker from E LeClerc.  They delivered for free, set them up, made sure they were working - including changing the fittings on the cooker for it to work with a bottle instead of mains.  They were just as cheap, if not cheaper, than the cheapest UK electrical stores - and everything has a two year guarantee.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

[quote user="Agenais"]

Don't think there are any problems with

compatibility, washing machines here only take cold fill, unless they

have changed suddenly, so you just need a Y connection to get them to

run ok. 

[/quote]

I may have mentioned this

before. I have an increasing tendency to repeat myself. Although

washing machines sold in France are fitted with a cold fill only,

particularly in the case of international brands, a quick inspection

under the lid will often reveal a blanked off hot fill injet.

Generally, one only has to remove the stopper, et voilà.

Historically, because so much water heating in France was done

electrically there was little point in piping hot water to a washing

machine that could heat water itself. Things have moved on, and this

may not be the most economic way of doing things now, hence opening the

hot feed to save a few sou could be worthwhile. There is the added

bonus that you will probably add a new dimension to your plumbers life,

enriching him / her (do not snigger - they exist) both professionally

and spiritually.

[lizzie15a]

I bought a new machine in UK  last week and it was cold fill only.I didn't kinow this before it was delivered but the delivery man (who also installed it) said that a lot of the new models are now cold fill only- "more economic" quoth he![*-)]