SNIPPET #2421 Planned Obsolescence and the Bearing Problem in BEKO Washing Machines?

By Maciej Lesiak

May 23, 2024 - 6 minutes read - 1141 words

What's in this article

I haven’t written about conspiracy theories related to planned obsolescence in products before. Today’s example is worth examining to show that some theories, when falsifiable (verifiable), can turn out to be true. In such cases, they stop being conspiracy theories and become simple facts. This is what happened with the dishonest practices and collusion of appliance manufacturers.

What is Planned Obsolescence?

Planned obsolescence is a strategy used by manufacturers to design products in such a way that they have limited durability or become obsolete after a certain period. A laptop works for 2 years, a dryer breaks down after less than 3 years, and a washing machine lasts a maximum of 6 years. The goal is to force consumers to buy new products more frequently. This drives consumption and production at the expense of consumers and the environment. source Wikipedia

A Bit of History: The Lightbulb Conspiracy

One of the most famous examples of planned obsolescence is the so-called Phoebus cartel. It was a cartel formed in 1924 by major lightbulb manufacturers like General Electric, Philips, and Osram, who agreed to limit the lifespan of lightbulbs to around 1,000 hours. This allowed them to increase sales by forcing consumers to replace bulbs more frequently.

The situation with household appliances today is similar, as described by Gazeta Wyborcza in the article Once, a washing machine lasted 20 years. Now it breaks down after a few. What’s happening with appliances?

I visit several chain appliance stores. I hear that a new washing machine will last a maximum of 5-6 years. I inform them that I’m looking for the most durable one, as my previous one lasted 9 years. The sellers shrug and suggest extending the warranty beyond two years, which of course costs extra.

Bearings in BEKO Washing Machines Are Integrated with the Drum Assembly (Cost of Half a New Washer)

My practically new and not-so-cheap BEKO washing machine just broke down. The bearings seized up, and if not for that, it could have lasted many more years. The problem is that in most washing machines nowadays, the bearings are integrated with the drum. This means having to replace the entire drum assembly, which includes the drum and the tiny bearing encased in plastic. The cost exceeds 50-60% of the price of a new washer, and even service centers discourage such replacements.

Since I’m not a fan of throwing away perfectly good items and prefer to repair them, I contacted several repair services. I’ll say right away that the cost of the part, i.e., a new BEKO drum assembly is 500 PLN, and the labor for the replacement in a typical service center is 300 PLN, which totals around 800 PLN for replacing the faulty BEKO drum assembly.

Alternative Options for Replacing Bearings in BEKO Washing Machines

But there are alternative options. Some service centers will cut the plastic casing and drum, replace the bearing with a much better one (not one that lasts a maximum of 2000 cycles), and this service costs around 500 PLN, but you don’t get a warranty. Here’s a video on YouTube showing how to replace a bearing in a washing machine where the drum module is integrated into a single unit.

Nationwide Service Group Quotes a Price Higher Than the Washer’s Cost, Twice as High as Other Services

The renowned appliance repair service, Nationwide Service Group, which has taken over most repairs in Poland, quoted me 1400 PLN. I’m not sure why labor costs 900 PLN when I assume that if I can buy the part retail for 500 PLN, they can probably get it for 300-400 PLN. That leaves a significant labor cost. The service responded to my inquiry about the reason by saying:

Replacing such a drum is a time-consuming, multi-hour repair.

Unfortunately, other appliance repair centers quoted labor costs between 250-350 PLN. Why is there such a discrepancy in labor time? Perhaps it’s a price strategy designed to push customers towards Media Markt for new washers. I don’t know.

Which Washing Machines Allow Bearing Replacement Without Replacing the Drum Assembly?

One thing is certain—I don’t intend to pay such an amount. That’s why I found an online list of washing machines and models that allow for bearing replacement (the cost of this service in such washers is around 200-250 PLN) and have chosen a new washer. I’m heading to pick it up right now.

Asko – all models
Amica – all models (a new series with non-replaceable bearings has appeared, so it’s better to check before buying)
LG – all models
Bosch – selected models* from the WAN 7 and 8 kg line, WAJ series
Samsung – all models
Kernau – all models
Miele – except for models from the W1 Active series
Haier, Sharp, Hisense – all models except for some slim Haier models over 8 kg.
Whirlpool – selected models from the Supreme Silence line
Siemens – models WM14N28XPL and WM14N208PL

source Pan AGD

As you can see from the list above and others, this is a serious problem since the bearing is one of the most frequently breaking parts. BEKO clearly didn’t make it easy to replace this part, and the cost of replacement exceeds half the price of a new washer, and in some cases, it’s nearly the same as the cost of a new one.

Sad Reflections on Planned Obsolescence

As we know, the European Union has strongly addressed planned obsolescence in appliances. Washing machines are built with bearings that have a limited number of cycles… This has a negative impact on the environment and consumers. Planned obsolescence leads to wasted resources and generates costs. Despite my opposition, I had to buy a new washing machine. Legal regulations can reduce these practices, but it’s important for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, choosing companies that make repairs easier.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

Planned obsolescence, especially in the context of household appliances like BEKO washing machines, is controversial and harmful. It leads to more frequent replacements of devices, generating costs and waste. When choosing a washing machine, it’s worth looking for models with replaceable bearings, which offer longer durability and ease of repair. Companies like LG, Samsung, and Bosch offer such models. To avoid problems related to planned obsolescence, it’s worth using independent repair services and making informed purchasing decisions.

Sources:

Once, a washing machine lasted 20 years. Now it breaks down after a few. What’s happening with appliances?

source Wikipedia

Here’s a video on YouTube