Complaints pile up as United Warranties stays silent

Published on Fri, 15/06/2012, 12:46:19

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By Claire Reilly

The future of United Warranties is still in doubt as big-name retailers and suppliers drop the warranty provider, and consumer complaints regarding the conduct of the company pile up.

An Australian company that provides manufacturer’s and extended warranties on a variety of consumer electronics and appliance products, United Warranties has all but vanished off the radar following increased industry speculation about the operational state of the company.

Calls placed to a variety of registered United Warranties customer service and head office phone numbers throughout the week have rung out or been redirected to recorded messages. However the company has presumably not totally disappeared, with Big W confirming that it had been in touch with United as recently as yesterday.

Current.com.au contacted one representative for the company, Teyghan Stadelbauer, who identifies herself as national sales director at United Warranties on her LinkedIn profile. The current listed general manager of United Warranties is Peter Stadelbauer. Current.com.au is uncertain if there is a relationship between these two individuals.

When asked directly by Current whether the company was still operating, Tegan Stadelbauer responded, “Absolutely”.

“I can’t actually help you, I don’t actually work for the company, but as far as I know it’s still there,” she then added, before confirming that she stopped working for United “about two weeks ago”.

However, as recently as two days ago, a customer service representative at one retailer provided Ms Stadelbauer’s contact details as the United contact for all concerns regarding warranties with that particular retailer.

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Since revealing yesterday that several retail and supply partners had dropped United’s services, Current.com.au has been contacted by a number of concerned consumers that are still waiting on products to be repaired by the company, as well as businesses that are owed money, and retailers that have customers demanding answers in their stores.

One consumer commented that she had “an expensive DVD sound bar which was in for repairs and was suppose to be delivered back” but that she had not been able to contact the company. Others raised concerns over expensive extended warranties purchased through retailers that now appeared to be defunct, while one angry reader commented that he had been forced to escalate his complaints to the ACCC and NSW Fair Trading.

“I have had my drama with United,” the consumer said. “I have since logged a complaint with NSW Fair Trading and the ACCC. Apart from losing two sets of extended warranty plans at about $500, it also seems that my $5000 LED LCD TV is now gone!”

United Warranties has been contacted for comment on these warranty claims.

Do you know more? Send me an email or leave a comment below.




Been waiting since 23rd February 2012 for my replacement TV, all promises and no action it seems. Very poor form to say the least.
Posted by Darren Keech. 16/06/2012 08:26:32 AM
our lg lcd tv was only taken to united on the 5/6/12 only to be advised by the technician that took the tv that the company as either gone into receivership or liquidation on the 8/6/12 all we want is to be able to collect our tv from banksmedow where it was take to how do we go about contacting someone to collect it.
Posted by john nixon. 18/06/2012 03:31:49 PM
I have been waiting for over 12 weeks for my washing machine to be fixed I keep ringing the company only to get an answering service saying leave your name and number and we will get back to you needless to say I have not heard from them I have even sent them emails still no answer.
Posted by Ross Clout. 19/06/2012 04:55:50 PM
Reported the fault of my washing machine on 22/5 and the technician came on 24/5 and tried to repair it. Advised need replacement of part and will be available in a week. Nothing happen after a week, called numerous times and finally advised parts will be available in 10 days time. 10 days came and gone and no further feedback from United and call gone unanswered. The retailer, Panasales Clearance Center had also closed the business. WHO SHOULD I TURN TO? ISN'T WARRANTY A SORT OF INSURANCE POLICY THAT CAME UNDER INSURANCE REGULATOR?
Posted by Kim Wong. 20/06/2012 06:27:03 PM
Same story I have been waiting for my computer to be repaired since 6/2/12 all talk no action and now they are not returning my $1000 computer. I just want the computer back from where ever it is in Brisbane. How many other peoples goods do they have? I am happy to collect it, they have promised to return it but no action!!! Very frustrating!!!
Posted by Anni McMahon. 21/06/2012 09:56:03 AM
Been waiting now for a new key board for 4 weeks and refund. What is going on? They new 6 weeks ago as the guy who fixes them informed me not to ring. What is going on I want my keyboard and my refund. and yet some places are still selling their warranty which is good as nothing.
Posted by . 24/06/2012 12:19:48 PM
They picked up our tv on the 6th June. Never left any paperwork with the wife. Now no answer. Called customer service at myer and poor old dear who sounded so stressed out took my details. Said she doesn't know when anyone will get back to me. no tv, no record of it being taken and no-one to verify it was picked up. You buy your goods from stores like Myer or dj's so this sh*t doesn't happen. Not happy.
Posted by John. 26/06/2012 10:50:13 PM
Same as above, sent ours for repairs early June $1300 coffee machine now missing!
Posted by . 28/06/2012 02:34:39 PM
My LCD TV has been on repaired for 4times in the past 1 year with so many effort, phone calls and 2 emails. And finally as per the terms and condition that a replacement should be provided on the 4th occasion of repair. So, they picked up my TV around mid-late March and I heard no news until I called them on 9th May and spoke with one of the team leader (or whatsoever) that they will give a BRAND NEW replacement and order it ASAP. Then... after waiting for another 3weeks with no news, I called back and the team leader said, my case has been escalated to the highest management along with other customers and we'll send the replacement ASAP (may be around 2-3weeks) and he PROMISED to provide updates (which obviously no updates from them at all). Now I'm queueing Myer customer service for half an hour....
Posted by Elva. 29/06/2012 12:28:01 PM
I was lucky enough to get my pc fixed by united earlier this year. It lasted 4 weeks and then was picked up again and now this has happened. I really dont care if it is fixed i just want it back. How about some honesty.
Posted by paul trenerry. 29/06/2012 07:56:02 PM
My Saeco Talea Touch coffee machine was collected by courier and taken to United Warranties for repair in early June. United Warranties were nearly impossible to contact since this time. I contacted the Manager of Myer to let him know of the problem I was having and he told me to leave it with him. My coffee machine was over $2000 and has now disappeared... there is no ETA on a resolution. I have contacted Myer on several occasions and was told 2 weeks ago that a recommendation to replace my item was lodged and I would know the outcome by Friday (of last week).... I had not heard back from Myer Customer Service so once again I rang them. They told me that they don't know when I will have any more information.... NOT GOOD ENOUGH MYER!!! DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE LOST ITEMS!!!
Posted by Rikki. 22/07/2012 12:28:19 AM
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