Fisher & Paykel my arse...

[Forest]

I had
I dunno how I feel about NZ manufacturers. It's nice to see NZ made goods on the market if they're of good quality, and I don't mind paying a few more shekeldollars for them. But manufacturing in NZ was effectively shafted when the Gummint decided years ago to adopt a free market economy, and progressively abolish tariffs, import restrictions, etc. Kinda mental when even the strongest economies in the world have tariffs and protectionism.

Bollocks. The strongest economies in the world have negotiated free trade agreements between themselves.

[The Stranger:Me]

I don't agree that govt should support private enterprise directly, but at times like this keeping people in jobs has to be priority, cos if people aren't in jobs, they aren't spending, which reduces retail demand, which takes down businesses, which creates redundancies. Full circle. And off it goes all over again.

I hear you. I can't quite understand how for example propping up the American Auto industry (and by inference F&P) will help things.
What will big auto do with the money?
Produce more cars to not sell?
Pay their employees to buy their cars? - actually that one appears to make more sense.

Aren't they better to stimulate demand, rather than supply? If they stimulate demand, supply will surely follow.

I believe they would be better off putting money into building infrustructure. They have huge infrustructure problems there (USA). They will get the projects done at the cheapest rate possible, stimulate demand and be in excellent shape for when the economy rebounds.

[Swoop]

My previous and current F&P dishwashers have convinced me to try another brand next time.
I hope the designers of the front panels and door latches were the first people fired.

F&P. I fully support NZ made products and prefer to purchase them whenever possible... BUT F&P is a waste of space.
Multiple issues with family appliances have convinced me of this over the years.

A work colleague has two dish drawers, one above the other. The top one works fine yet the bottom one is a waste of time and is a storage drawer only. Something about a deflector panel that has been designed and fitted to direct water towards the electrical system dosen't seem right.

A recent shopping expedition for a washing machine was interesting. I feel that "commercial" grade appliances are the only option.

[pete376403]

We also have a F&P dual dish drawer. Both washers work perfectly, no water going where it shouldn't. F&P fridge, F&P auto washer (both less than 5 years) and a 35 year old F&P dryer all work perfectly. The dryer has had it's drive belt replaced once and I may have replaced the timer control.

Not everything they make is crappy.

[riffer]

We splurged out 3 years ago in June. Did a deal with the local Newbolds for cash and bought F&P (cause Gini wanted F&P).

Nautilus Dishwasher (the expensive white enamel one)
Saffron Oven (ceramic top)
Smartdrive 6kg washing machine
380 litre family fridge
The biggest clothes dryer they had.

Only problems so far in three years:

Nautilus dishwasher - front plastic handle is cracked which makes it hard to open the dishwasher using handle. Doesn't affect performance.

Saffron oven. Right front element control blew. Fixed under warranty. However unimpressed with the enamel. At the front edge its wearing badly - all the shine's gone rough. And we've dropped a couple of things on the edge and it's got a couple of nasty big chips. Doesn't affect performance.

Fridge - in the first couple of months used to beep randomly and flash the control panel lights. Tracked down to a blocked vent tube - fixed under warranty.

So, overall they've been pretty good. I don't think the oven will outlast it's predecessor - a 1950s vintage Kelvinator monstrosity which Gini loved.

[reofix]

They both used their monopoly positions to screw us for decades...
They both want govt help when the shit hits the fan...
They both want us to buy the iconic bullshit...
They both treat their customers as fools...
They both have low levels of customer satisfaction...

they both suck!!!

[Finn]

Our very own Firecracker may have cost FPA millions.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...0560296&pnum=3

Personally, I think the company is sound. It has a very strong balance sheet and has just been caught out by the global financial crisis. (i.e. NZ dollar, reduced sales & realisation of cost savings in new plants).

Time to buy some shares I think. (Remember this post and quote me in the years to come)

[Ixion]

Our very own Firecracker may have cost FPA millions.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...0560296&pnum=3

Personally, I think the company is sound. It has a very strong balance sheet and has just been caught out by the global financial crisis. (i.e. NZ dollar, reduced sales & realisation of cost savings in new plants).

Time to buy some shares I think. (Remember this post and quote me in the years to come)

True, but at present it has a major cash flow problem. Whether it can weather that or not is the question

[NZsarge]

a company that is being brought down by a few highly paid big wigs who have clearly fucked up somewhere.
not all of the financial problems for the company can be put down to the current economic market.

That's my sentiments on the Feltex saga too.

[NZsarge]

We also have a F&P dual dish drawer. Both washers work perfectly, no water going where it shouldn't. F&P fridge, F&P auto washer (both less than 5 years) and a 35 year old F&P dryer all work perfectly. The dryer has had it's drive belt replaced once and I may have replaced the timer control.

Not everything they make is crappy.

Yeah i'd agree, I don't think they'll be topping any customer satisfaction poles anytime soon but none of the F&P stuff here has caused any issues to speak of.

[James Deuce]

Our very own Firecracker may have cost FPA millions.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...0560296&pnum=3

Personally, I think the company is sound. It has a very strong balance sheet and has just been caught out by the global financial crisis. (i.e. NZ dollar, reduced sales & realisation of cost savings in new plants).

Time to buy some shares I think. (Remember this post and quote me in the years to come)

The company is sound, but the product is bollocks. Unreliable junk.

[merv]

Our very own Firecracker may have cost FPA millions.

Yeah but they say he admits he is only an L plate rider

[spacemonkey]

Blue vein?

Feta?




Personally I have never had problems with any F&P product I've owned, They all worked perfectly. Every time I had products by Simpson, bosh, Westinghouse and Mitsubishi (worst fridge I've ever used) they have been utter crap!

So later this year when I hopefully upgrade the oven it will be another F&P job.

[firecracker]

ooooh, the controversy I'm a she not a he

[pritch]

I've bought F & P in the past soley on the basis it was a local manufacturer.

Not now though. I'd have to at least consider L G who are supporting motorcycle racing...