Part One

I tend to choose brands on the basis of design, functionality and perceived reliability. I typically go for established names. The length of the commercial guarantee beyond the statutory two years is a major selling point. In my mind, if the seller is offering a 5-year guarantee then he actually believes that his products are unlikely to fail within thestated period.

In 2006 I was shopping for appliances for a new kitchen. Boring stuff like the standard oven, ceramic hob, dishwasher, etc. Here shines Aplan Limited (of Mizzi fame) sporting the Siemens appliances range and screaming solidity, reliability and no-nonsense German design. Guess what? They’re now offering a 7-year commercial guarantee! And a well-placed friend will also secure me a discount on showroom prices. Time to splurge on an unessential but very sexy built-in Siemens coffee machine. You know, the one that is meant to feed on coffee beans and brew me the most magnificent coffee at the press of a button. A truly splendid prospect for someone who’s been a coffee aficionado for most of his adult life.

So I model the kitchen to accommodate the new stainless-steel baby. It was not a cheap baby either: discounted, it still cost over EUR1,000. For just under four years, the appliances lived up to their Siemens name. Oh well, in the summer of 2010 the coffee maker did start to show some signs of corrosion in its “stainless” fascia. It’s the sort of thing you don't expect but yet come to accept because you know it will be too much of a hassle to complain about.

But by August 2010 the machine started failing me in its most basic functions. The initial trouble related to defective tray contacts, which caused the machine to incorrectly report its state. The machine would loop between “trays missing” and “empty trays” mode even when the trays were empty and properly installed. It’s one of those moments when you pat yourself on the back and feel happy that you spent extra money with a company that offered a 7-year guarantee.

You call Aplan’s servicing department and things start turning sour.

Part Two: http://aronmifsudbonnici.com/after-four-months-aplan-still-cant-get-it-rig