[X]
Write ReviewJump to 
10
Helpful
Votes
Votes
American Water Heater-Whirlpool Informative - American Water Heater-bad customer service - Flame Lock Water Heater
Flame Lock Water Heater
LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA -- Another UPDATE:
Success: Lowe's reimbursed me $202.00 for the repair of the water heater....I'm happy. Thank you Lowes!!
More update: I received a call from Lowe's. They said that I can bring them the old water heater, and they'll replace it with the same brand. I explained that I drive a VW and there is no way I can do it.
I already spent $202.00 (no refund in site), to have the current water heater repaired...now I'm suppose to pay $450.00 to have a plumber remove the current water heater, take it to Lowe's, pick up a replacement (same brand) and install it???? If I'm going to pay that kind of money..I could go to a hardware store (not Lowe'S), buy a brand new water heater (not Whirlpool), mfg. by someone other than American Water Heater, and have the warranty under my own name.....forgot it. I'll wait for the recall bell to ring, or replace it if it goes out again.
Lowe's, Whirlpool and American water heater lost a good customer.
UPDATE FOR THE FOLLOWING: Be sure to read all the other posts about this item. My initial complaint the product FLAME LOCK BY AMERICAN WATER HEATER, WHIRLPOOL, SOLD BY LOWES. I am now giving warning to all others about the poor customer service from American Water Heater.
I called Michelle from American Water Heater and explained about the problem below.
She quickly told me that the warranty is non-transferable to the new home owner (me).
In addition, she said even if I were the original purchaser of the 2 year old water heater, the warranty would be voided, as I didn't clean the lint screen every 3 months. I didn't even know a lint screen was on the machine. I had my old water heater for 20 years, and never cleaned a screen, or anything else on it, and it worked fine. I never had one problem with it.
Michelle gave me the impression that she didn't care (big shocker there). I told her that I'd never buy a Whirlpool item, or anything made by American Water Heater again. We hung up.
BUYER BEWARE;
NO HOT WATER 2 DAYS: Gas Company unable to ignite flame, because of the sealed firebox..the plumber could not find left threaded part anywhere...I told him check Lowes, as that is where the "Flame Lock" water tank was originally purchased.
Plumber quickly found it on asile #13. Here is the part number you'll need Part #6910495,
SKU #198750, 1 year warranty (you're gonna need it). I don't like a company that monopolizes like that. What if Lowes goes out of business..what do we do then?
Anyway..as instructed by the Whirlpool manual I called them...beware they are not open on weekends or holidays. If they are..their number is not posted anywhere that I can find it. The plumber is installing the part, at this writing. It's taking him an hour to dis-assemble the area just to replace the $15.00 part. I'll be writing him a big check for the repair, and sending the $202.00 receipt to Whirlpool, in hope for a refund (the price paid for the water heater was $565.77(price includes installation)...as I hope the water heater is still under warranty...the language on the warranty has so many loop holes...I really don't know if it is covered. If they do not refund the repair..I will never buy Whirlpool again. I'm concerned because Whirlpool has a 1.5 star out of a possible 5. That's nothing to be proud of. Had I had read all the other reviews, I would have had NEVER purchased this tank. I can't believe there hasn't been a class action law suit, or a recall on this item.
In addition, I just sent an email to Lowes, American Water Heater and Whirlpool. I'll be sure to follow up with this post and let you know what kind of response I receive.
Thank you for your time.
Success: Lowe's reimbursed me $202.00 for the repair of the water heater....I'm happy. Thank you Lowes!!
More update: I received a call from Lowe's. They said that I can bring them the old water heater, and they'll replace it with the same brand. I explained that I drive a VW and there is no way I can do it.
I already spent $202.00 (no refund in site), to have the current water heater repaired...now I'm suppose to pay $450.00 to have a plumber remove the current water heater, take it to Lowe's, pick up a replacement (same brand) and install it???? If I'm going to pay that kind of money..I could go to a hardware store (not Lowe'S), buy a brand new water heater (not Whirlpool), mfg. by someone other than American Water Heater, and have the warranty under my own name.....forgot it. I'll wait for the recall bell to ring, or replace it if it goes out again.
Lowe's, Whirlpool and American water heater lost a good customer.
UPDATE FOR THE FOLLOWING: Be sure to read all the other posts about this item. My initial complaint the product FLAME LOCK BY AMERICAN WATER HEATER, WHIRLPOOL, SOLD BY LOWES. I am now giving warning to all others about the poor customer service from American Water Heater.
I called Michelle from American Water Heater and explained about the problem below.
She quickly told me that the warranty is non-transferable to the new home owner (me).
In addition, she said even if I were the original purchaser of the 2 year old water heater, the warranty would be voided, as I didn't clean the lint screen every 3 months. I didn't even know a lint screen was on the machine. I had my old water heater for 20 years, and never cleaned a screen, or anything else on it, and it worked fine. I never had one problem with it.
Michelle gave me the impression that she didn't care (big shocker there). I told her that I'd never buy a Whirlpool item, or anything made by American Water Heater again. We hung up.
BUYER BEWARE;
NO HOT WATER 2 DAYS: Gas Company unable to ignite flame, because of the sealed firebox..the plumber could not find left threaded part anywhere...I told him check Lowes, as that is where the "Flame Lock" water tank was originally purchased.
Plumber quickly found it on asile #13. Here is the part number you'll need Part #6910495,
SKU #198750, 1 year warranty (you're gonna need it). I don't like a company that monopolizes like that. What if Lowes goes out of business..what do we do then?
Anyway..as instructed by the Whirlpool manual I called them...beware they are not open on weekends or holidays. If they are..their number is not posted anywhere that I can find it. The plumber is installing the part, at this writing. It's taking him an hour to dis-assemble the area just to replace the $15.00 part. I'll be writing him a big check for the repair, and sending the $202.00 receipt to Whirlpool, in hope for a refund (the price paid for the water heater was $565.77(price includes installation)...as I hope the water heater is still under warranty...the language on the warranty has so many loop holes...I really don't know if it is covered. If they do not refund the repair..I will never buy Whirlpool again. I'm concerned because Whirlpool has a 1.5 star out of a possible 5. That's nothing to be proud of. Had I had read all the other reviews, I would have had NEVER purchased this tank. I can't believe there hasn't been a class action law suit, or a recall on this item.
In addition, I just sent an email to Lowes, American Water Heater and Whirlpool. I'll be sure to follow up with this post and let you know what kind of response I receive.
Thank you for your time.
Comments:
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-06:
Lousypaintjob: Here, Here. well said. Customer service is also dead...
Posted by Doc J on 2006-07-06:
Thanks for the update. If your water heater were a horse, it would have been shot. When the cost of repairing a car approaches 50% of the value of the car one is better off to replace the car. There may be reasons you didn't replace the water heater. The repaired one deserves a trip to the curb with a yellow lemon painted on it for all to see. Good luck on the warranty.
Posted by 90713PC on 2006-07-06:
Hi DocJ. Just a quick response to your comment "There may be reasons you didn't replace the water heater".
The reasons are as follows:
The water heater was only 2 years old.
I thought the warranty would cover the repairs.
Trust me..if it goes out again, I will replace it with a different water heater (not Whirlpool or anything made by American Water heater), and I will make sure the other one gets that trip to the curb.
Thank you for your response.
The reasons are as follows:
The water heater was only 2 years old.
I thought the warranty would cover the repairs.
Trust me..if it goes out again, I will replace it with a different water heater (not Whirlpool or anything made by American Water heater), and I will make sure the other one gets that trip to the curb.
Thank you for your response.
Note: All comments are reviewed by a moderator before being published. Please be sure to read our guidelines before commenting.
Company Reps: Post your company response!