As we wrote previously, we installed a dishwasher – and sat it on top of our washing machine. Currently, the only place where we had space _and_ water in reach …
But operating the washing machine not astonishingly proved very unstable – at least for the dishwasher. So, we decided to create a luxurious frame to sit the dishwasher and hold in place when the washing machine was spinning.
Not being agile but very waterfall, I needed a concept first. So, I fired up my trusted CAD programme and started sketching …
4x2s intersected with other 4x2s surrounded by 6x2s – that was the way to go.
So, first I cut the intersections of the 4x2s and used chop saw and chisel to get the cross sections.
Later on, we added 6x2s so the dishwasher would not fall off. And at the end, not visible on the images, we added a strap around both devices to stop the dishwasher from bouncing off – just in case …
Now we have a washing tower – until we move it into our new kitchen. And this is all I can tell. See for yourself.
Cutting the Frame for the Washing Tower
Washing machine in action with finished Frame and Dishwasher on top
So, this will be another rant about online retailers and their delivery strategies in the Highlands.
A couple of days ago, I ordered _the_ missing piece for our barn: a washing machine. Having had good experience with Siemens, I went for a similar model that I already have in Switzerland, the Siemens iQ700 WI14W502GB. I wish I had that iQ. chapeau to Siemens product management and markting.
As I found it relatively hard to find Siemens retailers in the UK for that model, I ended up with John Lewis & Partners. Never heard of them before, but as it seemed they were an official Siemens reseller.
During order and checkout, I was told that the item would be delivered _usually_ withing 7 working days. Of course, the word “ususally” usually leaves room for variance and interpretation. And I got a “free delivery” and assurance they would call me within 2 working days after the order to arrange a delivery date. No “usually” there.
Order confirmation email from John Lewis & Partners
So, what happened next? I never got the promised call, but after a couple of days, actually after 7 working days, I received another mail telling me the item had been dispatched. So, no arrangement of a delivery date.
Item dispatch notice after 7 working days
So, I waited another 24 hours as noted in the email to get the tracking link, so I could see in advance when the item was supposed to arrive. No luck that. Every day I checked the link, it only said “Tracking coming soon”.
John Lewis order details and no tracking link
Surprisingly, today I got a phone call from a delivery guy, telling me he was about to deliver an appliance. Unfortunately, I just left the property for some other tasks.
Now, less than 2h later and 10 working days after my order, my neighbour received the washing machine for me – with the tracking information still “coming soon” and me having to move the machine later on to my plot.
I would have thought that online retailers in 2023 could do better. – Hmm wait, I actually know online retailers that do better (for years).
Any “Customer Happiness Engineers” at John Lewis & Partners reading this?
And this is the end of today’s story about the delivery of a washing machine in the Highlands.
Our Journey to Scotland 