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Hello, Rosalind!
I had a pleasant experience examining the radios in Currys, right up to the pay at till point!
To be clear, I did not understand what exactly they were encouraging me to buy extra. It was "Instant" something?
My radio was a relatively cheap purchase (£22.99) and certainly did not warrant any further cover, other than the normal guarantee.
I found it a good shop to visit, but a tad persistent pushing the "extras" we should consider getting!

Hello, Pigale!
How are you and the weather getting on?
I recently replaced my washing machine.
I had a Bosch for many trouble free years.
I replaced it with another Bosch but had to get it repaired under warranty. It would not start when the door closed.
The repairman told me he gets these regularly.
The door lock mechanism gets distorted in transit!
He replaced the mechanism and it is perfect now.
He told me plainly, that modern machines are not built to the standard of 15/20 years ago.
Not good to hear!

I've only had two washing machines in 40 years, both second or third hand!
A repair man told a friend ago to keep getting hers repaired for as long as possible because the new ones are nothing like as well made as 20 years ago. Also EU regulations about water use means they don't wash as well, either.
To quote Mandy R-D, "Well, he would, wouldn't he?", but I plan to take his advice. The third hand machine has not broken down once in 15 years!

Rosalind, it sounds that you had a very good bargain - you are right, hang on to it as long as possible, and as long as the spare parts can be found.


Hi Rusty,

I am doing OK, and the weather does not know what it should do - rain or not rain, that is the question ! Thank goodness we are a bit warmer today, as high as 5 C this morning. Due for a heat-wave in the coming days, up to 10/12C !

I so much hate these constant changes of temperature - if Winter is going to be early and harsh, then so be it, I can get used to it and at least know exactly what to expect.

I see that you had black ice again - no good that; has it all gone by now or is it still very cold?

Afternoon, Rusty!
I hope your black ice wasn't too treacherous?
Well, I have to report a very UNsuccessful shopping trip!
Firstly, there WAS a Black Tag event at our nearest Currys' store - but this was obviously just designed to lure unsuspecting shoppers inside the premises.
Secondly, the only articles on offer were piled high at the front of the shop and there were very few different things.
For instance, there was a huge pile of what we would have called "ghettoblasters" - not sure what they are known as now?
There didn't appear to be any 'genuine' reductions - maybe one item only in an occasional section of the store.
For instance......only one fridge/freezer on offer in the refrigeration section.
But the main problem was that we didn't have any choice - there was only one set of matching fridge and freezers, in roughly the required size.
And that was neither reduced in price, nor quite what I had in mind.
So we didn't buy anything!
I think I might wait till the January Sales and see what is on offer then......( I'd be grateful for a choice of appliances even if the price isn't lowered)
Ok, Saga finished ........ !

The sun has come out at long last!

Ros, I never pay for extended Warranty on any article , be it an expensive item or not!
Mind you , in years past we have been very lucky in that we have a friend who repaired washing-machines for a living. He worked for one of the leading w/machine manufacturers ( mustn't advertise!)
He eventually became self- employed - but still did "mates' rates" !
Another plus was that he would be here within 15 minutes of my ringing him up!
Unforunately, he recently moved to live in the country, so I am now dependent on "official" engineers to do any repair work.
Luckily, I haven't had to resort to that yet!
But Richard always said that modern appliances weren't worth all that much and to hang on to the "old" ones.
I did so, and only last year had to part with my 42 year-old tumble dryer!!!!!

Hello, Elle!
That is a bummer!
Not a good outing to Currys!
While you wait on the January Sales, why not have a look on line?
Boots have a good range online. That is where I found my washing machine.
I have a "boombox" which is like a "ghettoblaster".
I got it for peanuts at ASDA and it is pretty poor quality.
The black ice was not too bad. I try to walk on rough ground when it is like that, or grass.
ASDA had their paths gritted.

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Yes, I will look online to see if I can find anything - I think a drawback might be that we want the fridge and freezer to "match" each other. I find it incredible that we only found one "matching set" of appliances!
Anyway, there is no immediate urgency.
We did go to Sainsburys whilst out, and I indulged myself by buying some books!
There are usually good offers on books there! Each book was well under half price!
I bought books by Michael Connelly, Peter James and Jeffrey Archer - all favourite authors of mine.
(Fiction, though, so you wouldn't like them!)
We had quite a pleasant afternoon here - a nice walk with the sun shining!

Do they really need to match, Elle, since they are going to be in a cupboard?
ao is supposed to be very good, but don't seem to have any larder fridges

Currys is just treating people as if they had no brains. I've never bought any extended warranty, though what they were pushing was insurance against accidents as well. Not listening!

No ice here but no sun, either

No, Ros, they aren't going to be in a cupboard! The cupboard is going to be built to fit ABOVE the fridge and freezer, which will stand next to each in full view!
So yes, I want them to match!
Insurance against accidents? I'm not following you here?
I haven't found Currys staff to be very informative....pleasant, yes, they are very nice....but don't seem to know much about what they are selling!