The quickest and easiest way of scourcing spares for domestic appliances.

Local supplier

WARNING: In the interest of consumer safety, parts should only be fitted by a suitably qualified person with the appliance disconnected from the mains electrical supply.

The first thing I would advise you to do, Is to make absolutely sure that you have correctly identified the fault. It was only a couple of days ago a gentleman walked into my local supplier and asked for a set of motor brushes for his tumble dryer.

He looked rather surprised when my supplier told him that there are no such things! This is an example where the above paragraph ( written in red ) should be noted. You may also like to check out the Safety precautions.

It is true though, that on many occasions, faults have been wrongly diagnosed. If you are not sure about your diagnostics, see the faults list.

As a service engineer, I spend a great deal of my time sourcing spare parts for washing machines and other domestic appliances. Time is of the essence when your customer is desperate for some clean clothes to wear. Sourcing spares the quickest way can then be a challenge.

Your local domestic appliance spares supplier is a great place to start your enquiry. If the part you are after is not in stock they can order it in for you. They normally receive deliveries once or twice weekly. So, if you are lucky, you could even get your part next day at no extra cost!

Most towns will have an independent supplier that specialise in selling domestic appliance spares. The best way to locate a good supplier is to make your enquiry with local repair companies. A good supplier will be able to access computer software listing the availability of spares for most major brand names. If genuine spares are not available to hand they may be able to offer good quality patterned (copy) spares.

It is best to make your initial enquiry over the telephone so as not to make a wasted journey. The appliance make and model number is always required as they can not entertain your enquiry without them. If it is not possible for you to give those details, you may be asked to take the part to them in person to see if they can match it up for you. At this point you may have no other option but to use patterned part.

Patterned parts

Patterned spare parts are widely available in the form of washing machine drain pumps, motor brushes, door interlocks, door seals, water inlet valves, door surrounds, pulleywheel belts and door leavers. patterned spares are also widely available for dishwashers, cookers, tumble dryers, fridges and freezers.

The quality of these parts are generally reflected in the cost when compared to that of genuine spare parts. Patterened spares are generally of a good standard.

Hopefully, you will not have to wait longer than a couple of working days for your spare part. If you are going to have to wait for weeks ( special order ) for your part, try elsewhere.

Manufacturers

The appliance manufacturers or their authorised agents would be my next port of call. Getting an experienced assistant to help would be a very good starting point, once you are through the queuing system. They will require the make and model number in order to assist you.

Equipped with that information they would then enter the details into a computer. The computer would then load up one of many diagrams. The diagram would be specific to your appliance and would then ensure that, along with a good assistant, you get the correct part.

Straight forwardness and efficiency is to be expected, if you can correctly describe the part when ordering. This is essential if you are dealing with an inexperienced assistant. Use the wrong terminology and you could be in for a long haul.

If you can not correctly describe the part, your assistant may not be able to identify that part, he or she may then send you a copy of the diagram in the post for you to identify The part and ring back with the part number. All this can add a few more days to you getting your appliance spare part.

Once the part have been ordered and paid for, delivery time is normally within 5-10 working days with the exception of one or two manufacturers, who could posibly get the part to you within 3-4 working days.

Depending on how desperate you are, you may even be able to pay extra and get it delivered next day. Either way, you are certain to get your part quicker than if it is a special order from your local supplier, which could take weeks.

Online suppliers

Shopping on line can also be a bitter sweet experience. Searching the web for spare parts suppliers can be very time consuming, as you travel from one spare parts web site to the next, in your search for that elusive part.

One of the good things about shopping online is that you are able to view the part you are about to buy form the comfort of your armchair.

That is, if the image is available. Often this important bit of visual aid is missing, which then leave you somewhat concerned that the part you have just paid for, may or may not be the right part. However most good online spare parts shops will accept it back if it is not used.

Where good images are available, shopping can be so much more satisfying, Knowing that you have correctly identify your domestic appliance spare part.

Guarantees

Domestic appliance spares are not guaranteed by the manufacturers unless fitted by their own service engineers. Companies that supply and fit a domestic appliance spare part may give some kind of guarantee as a goodwill.