Buying a Washing Machine - Is there a such thing as fake washing machines ?

[Chacho]

Hi,

I am currently looking into buying a washing machine for my apartment in Mongkok. I started looking at Fortress when I eventually stumbled today on a website from what seems like some Chinese company based in New Territories.

I am not sure if I can publish the link to the company's website, I don't want to be accused of spam.. Anyway for example, the Whirlpool AWO85048 is at $3,500 on that Chinese website when it is at HK$4,690 at Fortress !

I can speak a little Mandarin so I phoned the company and a guy on the phone confirmed the price and said they could deliver this Tuesday to my apartment, adding $40/floor since there is no lift where I live (3/F). Since my mandarin is not that good either and there were I few things I could not understand, I asked the guy to send me an email, which he did some time after. He confirmed the price and sent a picture of the washing machine in their store in NT (I checked the time stamp of the file and the time fits with a picture that was just taken before sending the email).

Everything seems to be OK. But then how do explain such a difference in price ? The guy also said it comes with a one year Whirlpool warranty. Could it be a fake one or something ? Payment is supposed to take place on delivery so it sounds pretty safe though...

Does anyone have an opinion ? This would be much appreciated.
Thank you !

John

[hullexile]

Can't help you on your question, but as I am moving out of HK I have a Philco washer/dryer going very cheap. Only a year or two old, cost over HK$4000 new but yours for HK$1000 ono. You will need to arrange collection. Interested?

[cookie09]

Hi,

I am currently looking into buying a washing machine for my apartment in Mongkok. I started looking at Fortress when I eventually stumbled today on a website from what seems like some Chinese company based in New Territories.

I am not sure if I can publish the link to the company's website, I don't want to be accused of spam.. Anyway for example, the Whirlpool AWO85048 is at $3,500 on that Chinese website when it is at HK$4,690 at Fortress !

I can speak a little Mandarin so I phoned the company and a guy on the phone confirmed the price and said they could deliver this Tuesday to my apartment, adding $40/floor since there is no lift where I live (3/F). Since my mandarin is not that good either and there were I few things I could not understand, I asked the guy to send me an email, which he did some time after. He confirmed the price and sent a picture of the washing machine in their store in NT (I checked the time stamp of the file and the time fits with a picture that was just taken before sending the email).

Everything seems to be OK. But then how do explain such a difference in price ? The guy also said it comes with a one year Whirlpool warranty. Could it be a fake one or something ? Payment is supposed to take place on delivery so it sounds pretty safe though...

Does anyone have an opinion ? This would be much appreciated.
Thank you !

John

given the margins that a oligopolist like fortress can charge, 1000 discuont is nothing and certainly legitimate

[Chacho]

@hullexile: Thanks for your offer, even though I am considering buying a new one right now.

@cookie09: $1,000 out of $4,690 sound like a lot to me ! I am tempted... I might just ask a local friend to give them a call tomorrow, because I am definitively not 100% trustful. I mean, why wouldn't all the expats on this forum for example talk about such deals ? I am certainly not the only expat who can mumble a few words in Mandarin This is what puzzles me a bit..

[cookie09]

@hullexile: Thanks for your offer, even though I am considering buying a new one right now.

@cookie09: $1,000 out of $4,690 sound like a lot to me ! I am tempted... I might just ask a local friend to give them a call tomorrow, because I am definitively not 100% trustful. I mean, why wouldn't all the expats on this forum for example talk about such deals ? I am certainly not the only expat who can mumble a few words in Mandarin This is what puzzles me a bit..

coz most expats have no clue on where to get good deals. PM me and i send you a website where we ordered all white goods for our new apartment. at least 25% discount to regular prices in fortress

[Drunken Master]

I have heard that Chinese manufacturers make 2 different qualities of products: one for the Mainland market which has less quality parts and lousy Quality Control; and one for export which is of better quality and high level Quality Control. If this is true then the cheaper washing machine could be meant for the mainland market.

[Chacho]

I decided to go for it and ordered from them yesterday. They are coming to deliver tomorrow so I'll tell you guys how it went ! Hopefully all fine !

[MovingIn07]

I live in the NT. Regularly find stuff in little shops in tuen mun cheaper than fortress - by large margins. Wouldn't worry if I were you. I doubt that its a mainland product either - v likely completely legit export quality.
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[HKChigger]

Fortress/Broadway is generally the highest price for home appliances/mobile phones/computers because they are convenient and brand recognized. Whenever I look for appliances and furniture I generally visit DSC.

[UK/HKboy]

i found my fridge from a shop in Tin Shui Wai for about HK$800 less than from Fortress.

I doubt its a fake one especially if they say there is a warranty from Whirlpool as well. And it seems they have a shop too so you always know where to find them if there are problems.