Bought a House and after Settlement Found out Dishwasher Not Working

LRosegum on 24/08/2015 - 21:38

Hi guys,
Much appreciate if you can give me your opinion regarding this matter as I am the first home buyer and buying process was quite new to me.

That is I bought a house, moving in and finding out the dishwasher was broken. I rang the previous owner ( met him when I came and inspected the house and we exchanged our phone numbers. He and I worked at the same place before just a few times since he left the job). I asked him about the dishwasher and he told me it was broken and advised me to get someone fixed it up or buy a new one. I asked him why didn't you let me know of this problem before and he said that because I didn't ask him.
I was angry and told him it was so unfair because on the advertisement of selling the house your agent listed kitchen including dishwasher. And I told him I didn't agree and accused him of telling lies but he kept saying that because I didn't asked him.
He told me that he didn't have time to argue with me as the dishwasher was very cheap about 300 dollars and I replied that this was not the matter of money but the trust and attitude. If he advised me of this issue before I still bought the house. Then after the conversation he said he's not going to do anything and that was my fault as I didn't ask him.
I rang the agent after that and to his surprise he told me that the previous owner never advised him of this problem before and he thought it was working. He said he'll ring the Previous owner(he's Chinese) and contact me Asap. After 10 days of waiting I rang the agent again and he said he hasn't heard anything from the owner yet.
So, what should I do in this case? I'm in Victoria.

Thank you very much for your reply and I hope I can do something to let this Chinese man knows that he can't behave in that way.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • snook on 26/08/2015 - 14:18
      +1

      Sell it while it still works and get what you want. The dish drawers are very popular in resale.

      • Euphemistic on 27/08/2015 - 13:04

        Thought about that last night. Will investigate.

        • snook on 27/08/2015 - 16:30

          Should be easy to remove. Couple of screws in front up the top holding it to the bench. Pull the plug from the power point and disconnect from the tap under your sink.

        • Euphemistic on 28/08/2015 - 12:28

          @snook:
          Yeah, I've removed them before, it's easy. Just need to do the cost benefit analysis.

        • snook on 28/08/2015 - 13:26

          @Euphemistic:

          cost benefit analysis

          lol.

          I actually have a dish drawer and I hated it because it doesn't wash as well as a single unit and I was sorry i bought it. However, I have since got used to rinsing and I've had a few parties and being able to cycle party stuff during the party has made it the most useful kitchen appliance I've ever had!

  • UFO on 26/08/2015 - 13:05
    +4

    Caveat emptor.

    He didnt lie to you, you didnt complete due your diligence.
    If you had tested the dishwasher during inspection or at any time prior to exchange of contracts and found it to be not working, negotiations could have been made to have it rectified or appropriate compensation to be paid.

    Yes you are a first time home buyer, and yes if he was super honest he 'could' have told you about the dishwasher.
    But the simple fact remains is that you exchanged on a contract of sale before asking the appropriate questions.

    Asking the agent (via email if possible) if each particular item included in the contract is in working condition would have saved you this hassle.

    The agent cant answer, "as far as I am aware". It should always be "I'll ask the owner and get back to you".

    ALWAYS ASK!

    You didnt. Case closed, your loss, get over it as lesson learned.
    Unless he lied to you (which going by your post he didnt), you got nothing on him.

    Be thankful its not the hot water system that doesnt work. You tested that right?
    Did you do your own inspection or have a 3rd party inspect the house for you?

    Your only course of action would be through them if they informed you that everything was working ok.
    If their report (if one was completed) stated they didnt test the dishwasher, you are back at square one with your hands in your pockets sucking up the error on your part.

    Lesson learned mate. Move on.

    • swilso on 26/08/2015 - 18:37

      Good advice.

    • JimmyF on 30/08/2015 - 21:37

      While I agree the OP has to suck it up and move on, do people SERIOUSLY test the dishwasher by running it through a cycle? Whats next, having a bath and a shower, or gasp crapping in the loo to make sure it flushes away?

      I mean go all out and test the oven too, by cooking a chicken during an inspection, as long as you leave the cooked chicken for me ;)

      • UFO on 31/08/2015 - 13:34

        I won't test the dishwasher, but I'll ask if it works as it should. The agent's assurance that it does (in writing) is enough for me to chase up repair/replacement costs later.

        But the hot water system and plumbing??? HELL YES I'LL TEST!!!

        Not on the first inspection mind you. I assume everything is fine. But before I sign on the dotted line, I'm turning on all lights on, turning all taps on, flushing all toilets, and waiting for 5min until I turn it all off.

        Lucky you if you've bought a house and not had an issue. But just like a car and test drive and thorough inspection, I'm definitely testing the house!!!

        Dishwasher and oven like you've mentioned is just silly. A simple question to the owner/agent in writing is enough. But then again I've turned on the oven for 10min too in the past. A really noisy oven fan that gets louder when hot is something I want to know about. And it doesnt take long to test. Flick the switch and continue on your inspection. When you leave, come back and turn it off. Not hard.

        But to not ask or test is stupidity.

  • snook on 26/08/2015 - 14:12
    +5

    You're a huge whinger imo OP. You should be grateful to have been able to purchase a house when so many people can't.

    I bought a house without a dishwasher and bought a second hand Asko for $75 because the owner (dishwasher) had got a new kitchen. That has to be the best diswasher I have ever seen. The racks glide on a fingertip, it's virtually impossible to hear when running and it has a light inside it. Over $2000 when new. Laughing.

    • ozhunter on 26/08/2015 - 14:21

      Anyone who buys a house has no right to complain?

      • snook on 26/08/2015 - 14:28
        +7

        About something they didn't check beforehand?

        No.

  • Turd on 26/08/2015 - 15:55
    +3

    I have a dish washer, I hardly use it. I wash the dishes by hand.

    It's not hard.

    • mjjeje on 26/08/2015 - 21:56

      I thought I'm the only one :) I'm not a fan of dishwasher and prefer to wash dishes by hand, but I don't have that many dishes to begin with, so I thought using the dishwasher is a waster of water and electricity.

      • Turd on 26/08/2015 - 23:28

        Me too I dont have many dishes too.

        Growing up we never ever had a dish washer. So yeah.

        As for wasting water… Waragaba damm is gonna explode soon. - http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/sydney-weather-war…

      • JimB on 27/08/2015 - 11:54
        +2

        Actually, it will use less water than hand washing, but will use electricity.

        However a good dishwasher and detergent will clean your dishes better and more hygienically than hand washing.

    • victorwilson on 28/08/2015 - 15:27

      +1

      Every dish I put in my dishwasher comes out still dirty/soapy/both.
      Dishwashers aren't even worth the effort, let alone the higher electricity costs.

      • Euphemistic on 29/08/2015 - 07:40
        +2

        Sounds like you need a decent dishwasher, or to learn how to drive it.

  • Sirocco on 26/08/2015 - 18:19

    you sir are a massive tightass

    • JimmyF on 30/08/2015 - 21:39

      then they are at the right place!

  • swilso on 26/08/2015 - 18:31

    If the seller doesn't have the honesty to help then really isn't a lot you can do. Even with a civil lawsuit as other s have mentioned you can't technically prove it was broken all along? The seller could just dishonestly say it was working on day of settlement, sorry don't know what happened. it might be hard to swallow but in the grand scheme of things it's minor and best to cut loses and move on, it's hardly worth getting your knickers in a knot.

  • Targaryen on 26/08/2015 - 18:56

    Question to OP.

    Had you not known the seller and ever met him would you still be writing this topic in OzB?

    Congratulations on a good buy! Think of the 00,000's you've saved by buying his house than the other property you were suppposed to buy. Am sure you are way ahead, you can not win them all.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2015 - 21:05

    My place has two dishwashers and we're not allowed to use it, because Mum makes us wash them by hand. Some australians are so lazy. lol

    • ntt on 27/08/2015 - 01:49
      1. Why 2.
      2. Bought 2. Use none! Good saving on water and electricity. Wow!
      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2015 - 12:01

        One came with the house, the other I bought. We only use it when we throw parties.

  • ShipShapeRC on 26/08/2015 - 21:07

    You are asking the wrong people by asking here. Give a 2 minute call to your conveyancer. They know what is and is not in the contract. They know legally what needed to be done when and finally they will tell you straight up if you have a leg to stand on. Everything else here is just opinions and wasting time. Pick up your phone, call the conveyancer and ask. In 2 minutes you will have the real answer. Then get on with it and enjoy your house.

  • mjjeje on 26/08/2015 - 22:00

    Whilst I will also be pissed at the previous owner for not telling me about the dishwasher, I don't think there is much you can do about it. Take it as a good lesson to learn, if not for your next house, then for your close friends/relatives.

    My brother once purchased a house with blocked shower drain. He did the pre-inspection but somehow that part was missed during the inspection. In the end, he just fixed it himself. That's the "danger" of buying a second hand property I guess.

  • mrstan on 26/08/2015 - 22:13
    +1

    Me and my partner recently purchased a house, settlement was last week.

    We found out that there is salt damp within the house, it was originally not picked up during the house opening. It was covered up by a drawer, something you wouldn't think to look behind. We chose not to get a house inspection as we were happy with the house, and would accept whatever the true condition was based on our own observations.

    I don't regret, not getting a house inspection, and I am not buthurt that there is salt damp. The previous owners who are also chinese were kind enough to leave me a note detailing the issue, approx $1500 fix. I was always expecting the house to have some issues, and knew when I put the offer forward, that I was purchasing a house with the possibility to issues. After all we decided not to get a house inspection.

    I don't think you should be getting into this with the agent/ previous owner, after all as many people have pointed out, you need to test everything yourself, the onus is on you. You are buying the property 'as is' per the contract.

    Purchase yourself a new dishwasher and move on.

    I am also of chinese background and the property agent was also chinese just for your information.

    • snook on 26/08/2015 - 23:56
      +2

      Even if you got the inspection, they do not move furniture to inspect. It is a visual thing and this is why they are a complete waste of money if you know what you're looking at.

      • JimB on 27/08/2015 - 12:09
        +1

        I agree, if you know a bit about how houses are constructed, I don't see the need for a pre-purchase inspection.

        They don't crawl into roof spaces or under the house, and they don't do anything that you can't do yourself.

        Plus, good luck ever holding them to account even if they miss anything obvious. That's why the disclaimers on their reports is so long. Anything that has a slight chance of being a defect (without being obvious) they will refer you to other tradies anyway such as a plumber or carpenter/engineer.

        • snook on 27/08/2015 - 16:32
          +1

          Yeah, we bought a house years ago and got an inspection because my builder friend noticed the bathroom leaking and said we couldn't claim anything unless we paid. A month later the front door is sagging. White ants in two walls. Huge expense. Been there well before the inspection. Bad luck.

          I don't trust any of those idiots. Since we had white ants previously, I paid for someone to come and look specifically for them. The guy was too fat to even get into the roof. Shone a torch around and told us it was fine. Thanks for nothing.

        • JimB on 27/08/2015 - 16:39
          +1

          @snook:

          Sorry to hear.

          What do you mean by "we couldn't claim anything unless we paid"?

        • snook on 28/08/2015 - 13:36
          +1

          @JB1: Sorry my bad. That was a terrible sentence.

          I had to pay for a report to be able to go back to the agent and negotiate a lower price for the repair.

          So, if you (or in my case, this builder friend) sees something and you know it's not right, you need a professional report with an official repair estimate to use to claim against the cost of the house. It's not acceptable just to have a suitably qualified person, they need to supply a report specifically for the purpose. What a PITA.

          This wouldn't apply for something as simple as a dishwasher because anyone can look up that cost and present estimates.

          I looked at a house a while ago and it had a lot of obvious structural faults. I paid for a report. I couldn't understand what it said. I asked a builder friend to translate. He said it basically said nothing but what they'd seen. It was just a written description. I then had to describe the faults to him and he explained what the ramifications were. Let that one go. I now reckon that if i see a house and 'think' it needs a report, then I just wouldn't go there.

        • try2bhelpful on 30/08/2015 - 11:09

          @snook: We had a similar issue going through the an inspection service. They missed the most important issues associated with the building. I suggest you find a tame builder and get them to do the inspection for you.

  • scrimshaw on 26/08/2015 - 22:23
    +3

    You thought you had it bad? Well gather round kids, I've gotta tale to tell.

    After buying a house and after I moved in, we realized the built in oven doesn't work because the hardwired connection is kaput. It would've cost me $2k to fix that in order to get the oven working. I didn't fix it in the end — I now make do with a benchtop oven. There's a big hole in the wall now where the oven used to be.

    Also the previous owners kept a set of house keys without telling us, so I had to change the locks in my home, which cost me another good $300~400 dollars.

    They also still kept a copy of the garage remote, which poses a big security issue for me.
    I'd have to pay money to get technicians to come and re-program the receiver and also make new remotes for me. Another spend of possibly few hundred bucks, which I can't afford right now.

    Some of the toilets also didn't flush and had to be replaced. Sinks were clogged… with long strands of hair! Yuck. Had to spend money replacing plumbing too. Cost me a good $1k to get toilets done.

    $200 bucks worth of power tools also went missing when I let my guard down during the renovation. The plumbers I hired must've looted my toolbox and left.

    Not complaining here though, very glad we own a house now…

    • snook on 27/08/2015 - 00:02
      +1

      • Electricity upgrade from street so the single phase air conditioner worked, replace meters - $2600 - inspection wouldn't have found
      • Place stank, damp under the house, needed to get fans, had slugs in the kitchen - $3100 - inspection wouldn't have found
      • Continuing electrical problems. Electrician won't go in roof until old insulation is cleaned out - $2000 to $3000 - inspection wouldn't have found
      • hot water heater problems - $623 - inspection wouldn't have found
      • skip bin to get rid of the shit they left behind - $390 - inspection wouldn't have found
      • No existing clothes line - $297 - noticed
      • no controls on cooktop - better cooktop via gumtree $120 - didn't notice

      And this in no way includes any of the work we have done and the time we have wasted on it. The place was absolutely crawling with cockroaches - they were really dirty and we had no idea.

      We did score a vacuum that works well. They left it behind due to the hair ball in the pipe.

      It is what it is - an old house. She took me and showed me a gas meter that, after we settled, wasn't there. Does the laundry leak? Oh no. When it rains the gutter backs up (can't clear it) and there's a waterfall over the washing machine. These people were lying Portuguese. Do you think it's contagious?

      • Kevan2 on 27/08/2015 - 06:38

        Seems this is a often event with 'ohshitwhatnext' problems. Been through many of your joys- if hole is not fixed put in TV or microwave.

        We had to gurney, snake out the storm water pipes as they were blocked and water backed up the pipes and then flooded parts of the house.

        My son is doing this to his house '' Service, Supply and install 6 x overflows made up from CJR '''

        Our shower waste has/had plaster washed down it. Half outlet size Coles has a hair and sh"t overnight remover its blue and next shop will post name

    • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2015 - 19:00

      Jeez. No wonder you're having trouble sleeping, Scrim O_O

      But good on you for the positive attitude in the end. Congrats on your own home :)

      I can't help but wonder.. is there no way to, say, get the police involved or something re: the previous owners still having possession of the garage remote copy? Or is that too far fetched of me to wonder lol. I'd be worried about that too. How did you even find out about them still having copies of the keys etc? :S

  • p4e81 on 26/08/2015 - 23:19
    +1

    Oh you poor soul… I can't believe the evil Chinese did this to you :'(

    • Rosegum on 27/08/2015 - 09:28
      +1

      @angiliwago: I'm not clever but polite.

      You r not alone in saying that I'm naive. There's nothing wrong to be naive but impolite.

      This house was the second house that we inspected and decided to buy. Not any Chinese competitor involved.

      We didn't borrow a lot because my hubby was able to use up his superannuation due to his cancer plus our savings. Also I have some financial back up plans. We deposited 50% of this house and mortgage is quite affordable. We want to get a house so my hubby would feel better. At first we wanted to buy a house near City where he worked but now it's not necessary as he stopped working.

      I do work esp now I'm a bread winner with a family of two little kids under 5 and a sick hubby. When I need to stand up I stand up, when I need to move back stage, I move back stage.

      To everyone: thank you very very much for your time and invaluable advice. I have already learnt a lot from this post and have no regret creating this thread. I hope I can apply your advice in the future when I buy another property or helping my friends or whoever wants to buy a house.

      Update: the agent man rang me yesterday and said that the previous owner's wife agreed to pay 300$. Its really beyond my expectation.
      Thanks again and have a lovely day.

      • angilinwago on 27/08/2015 - 13:00
        +3

        I'm so sorry, I was being a stupid ass, I was half drunk and shouldn't have said what I said, I am the naive one, I didn't mean to say them at all. I take it all back. if the modulator can delete/down vote my comment above, please please do, I feel so ashamed. I hope your husband gets better, I'm glad that you've got your money back.

      • foxmulder on 28/08/2015 - 00:09

        I'm glad it works out for you. I do believe you need to stand against this. Dishwasher listed must work at least few times you using it. I am not pro buyer beware as I just think it's wrong. Australia has the strongest law against warranty even for a $20 product for the warranty of the product but buyer beware on case like yours? It doesn't make sense does it. Lcukly you got compensated at the end.

      • what on 30/08/2015 - 14:27

        OP I wish you all the best in your new house. Settle in and enjoy. Don't worry about the the little things. Sh&t happens. Look after your husband and I hope he gets well quickly.

        EDIT: make sure you look after yourself too.

  • snowpuppie on 27/08/2015 - 02:22
    +4

    This was a fun little read. Regardless of the contract details, if the OP was polite, I think what she did was acceptable, e.g. contacting the agent and seller. Unless one tries, one will never know whether they will get lucky. What I find humorous is that the OP's view of the seller being a "greedy man" and that she was "determined to do something to him so he can stop cheating people". I'm having trouble sympathising here as the house presumably sold for a few hundred thousand dollars. I get it. The seller didn't take the OP's hand and highlight all the defects. Yes, that could be considered by some to be morally wrong of him. But I would encourage people to take off their rose-coloured glasses and see the world as it is. Humans, regardless of race, tend to look out for themselves and those they consider their 'own'. If you want to believe that the default commercial position of a seller is to look out for the interest of a buyer, that's fine. Just also be prepared to be forgiving as well. The OP stated that he treated her "like a kid". That's probably pretty accurate given the response I've read here. Each party will look out for their own interests. Sitting between the parties is a legal contract and common sense.

  • James Nav on 27/08/2015 - 09:57
    +7

    Wow, so the 'Chinese' man is very reasonable to give you any money. So in the end your lucky you bought from a 'chinese' cos I would've told ya to just piss off and only contact me through a solicitor.

    • JimB on 27/08/2015 - 12:16
      +3

      Lucky the cheating Chinese man had a good wife.

      Many people, and most likely the vendors don't use a dishwasher, so don't really care about the dishwasher not working.

      I myself like a dishwasher, but I would most likely buy a brand new one myself for a place I purchase unless it was a newish Miele/Asko/Bosch etc. I can't see a $300 dishwasher cleaning very well.

      But lucky for the OP, count yourself lucky.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2015 - 15:48

        this is ozbargain. it costs money to throw out whitegoods.

        • JimB on 27/08/2015 - 16:29
          +2

          put it on Gumtree and some sucker who unknowingly bought a house with a broken D/W will pay you $50 to take it away.

        • driew on 27/08/2015 - 16:34

          Unless it was worth very little, you would put it on gumtree. Our place came with a very inefficient, old dishwasher and we were lucky to sell it on gumtree.

  • tung12a1 on 27/08/2015 - 09:59
    +2

    My question is whether you wouldn't buy the house because of the dishwasher not working? You would find that you are still lucky among the house buyer. Do not build the hate for our Chinese people.

    It's too bad that you are living in VIC otherwise you can come to our place in NSW to take the working dishwasher that we do not want to use.

    • belongsinforums on 29/08/2015 - 05:45
      -2

      yea, that'll happen with hot water being poured on flight attendants, or chinese tour groups destroying queues and pissing off thai women :p

  • imahapyboy on 27/08/2015 - 10:42
    +2

    this is your mistake, hope you won't do it again for your next house, move on and smile

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2015 - 10:52
    +3

    WHile ethics is the topic here, if it were to be more legal, except for Major structural or Stigmatizing issues, you wouldnt know where to stop with complaints.
    eg. The seller should compensate for cracked paint, dying garden, light bulb went out after 1 day, it could go on and on…

  • Jaskie on 27/08/2015 - 12:50
    +13

    When I saw this thread I really wanted to read it to sympathise with you and see if you got a resolution. I'm glad that you did, but you painted a very poor picture of your character as I read all the messages. Sorry.

  • driew on 27/08/2015 - 16:37
    +4

    It's good that the OP got what she wanted however I hope she got something more valuable from the responses here, e.g. some perspective.

  • jonnosun on 27/08/2015 - 18:50
    +1

    I moved into my 2 bedroom apartment last year. The previous owner had a dishwasher in a dishwasher enclosure under the bench.
    We assumed it worked. Regardless of that he opted to take the dishwasher with him (strange decision).Anyway we proceeded to buy our own dishwasher, got it in day 1 and found that there was no PowerPoint near the dishwasher and no plumbing to it either. So 5 days and $800 dollars later with a plumber and electrician we were back in business.
    Moral of story……Some dishwashers are fake/displays. Also look out for when they say on the contract that the dishwasher is not included, when a dishwasher is already there.

    • JimB on 28/08/2015 - 09:35

      Actually the dishwasher should be included in sale unless it was excluded in the sales contract. Unlike the OP, you have a legitimate complaint.

      However, the fact there was no power/water is a separate matter. Plumbing should be DIY unless there's no taps/sink along the bench.

      • McFly on 28/08/2015 - 09:40

        Actually the dishwasher should be included in sale unless it was excluded in the sales contract.

        Not sure if that's the case (in Vic anyway, and commenter is in NSW.)

        • JimB on 28/08/2015 - 10:12

          It should be the case in Victoria, as I have recently sold and purchased a property.

          I asked my lawyer (well assistant to the lawyer) about dishwasher and she advised it was a Fixture as it was built into the kitchen and plumbed in (of a permanent nature)

          A freestanding dishwasher sitting in the middle of the kitchen is a different story.

          http://www.domain.com.au/news/avoid-a-house-of-horrors-20120…

  • ravenit on 27/08/2015 - 21:23
    +3

    People are funny sometimes. I sold a house a while back on inspection the law had just been mowed so place looked good. After 6 week settlement lawn was slightly long. New owner wanted me to mow it before they would settle. Seriously….

    • JimmyF on 27/08/2015 - 22:11

      Seriously? Some people want the world…….. Shocked they didn't complain the content on display wasn't included as well!

      • JimB on 28/08/2015 - 10:20

        My buyers complained that were holes in the wall when I took off my wall mounted TV! lol.. I think the agent was embarrassed to bring up the 'complaint'.

        I'm in the process of patching up the holes and repainting it for them, only because I'm a good guy and I don't want any trouble given the fact I own the other house on the same block. I will still need to be in contact with them re: common area/gardens etc. It won't cost me anything and is 15mins of work, but I was well within my rights to refuse.

        and yes, I did leave a working 2yo Bosch dishwasher when I sold.

        • try2bhelpful on 30/08/2015 - 11:17
          -1

          Why wouldn't you patch up the holes in the first place? Sorry, but the fact that you had to be asked does not make you a
          "good guy" in my eyes.

        • JimB on 31/08/2015 - 10:07
          +1

          @try2bhelpful:

          You buy an old house that has a wall mounted TV and photo frame on the wall when the open for inspections were on.

          And you expect the vendors to patch up the holes after they leave?? You and the OP should become best friends.

        • try2bhelpful on 31/08/2015 - 10:44

          @JB1: Frankly, yes I do; because that is what I would do.

  • Nicktorious on 27/08/2015 - 21:30
    +2

    Define not working? What are the symptoms? Often the drain pipe is just clogged and a quick rinse through and you can get it going again at no cost. (the dishwashen in my house was playing up when i bought it. a little maintenance got me 4 years extra use out of it)

  • slow on 28/08/2015 - 08:10
    +1

    All houses have problems. Expecting everything to be perfect is unrealistic. Unless brand new you can always expect to have to spend a bit fixing a few things up

  • dinkyfish on 28/08/2015 - 09:40
    +4

    this is so funny, mentioning the seller's race… I'm glad the seller did what he did to break his stereotype. Maybe OP can do the same to break hers? (ie. that white Australians are racist)…

    • snook on 28/08/2015 - 13:53

      Who said OP is white Australian? She doesn't write like English is her first language.

      • dinkyfish on 28/08/2015 - 19:11
        +3

        Good point - i just assummed…reveals my own prejudice! Maybe she is chinese too, in which case, iT's perfectly acceptable (being racist to ones own race)… OP, what are you?

      • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2015 - 14:55
        +2

        I don't know any Chinese Australians who don't hold reservations when dealing with "FOB mainland Chinese". It's usually because they've been screwed over or some relative has.

        It might not be the right attitude, but it exists.

        • lenlynn on 30/08/2015 - 11:34
          +1

          We definitely know Chinese people from HK/taiwanese/malaysian etc who have this attitude towards mainland chinese.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2015 - 10:19
    +3

    this is stupid. How much is a dishwasher compared to the price of the house

  • JayCeeJay on 28/08/2015 - 12:56
    +4

    urgh, wasted 8minutes of my life reading OPs rubbish post.

    • AlisonP on 28/08/2015 - 15:16
      +2

      Ditto yours, but I only wasted 1 :)

  • uetecu on 28/08/2015 - 23:10

    OP. It's buyer beware.

    The same thing happened to me what I bought my house. Except mine kept cutting out the power to my house every time I used it. I got over it and bought a new one.

    Just wait 10 mins and the appreciation on your house will help you to buy a new one.

  • ttc72 on 29/08/2015 - 08:40
    +3

    I just spoke to my flatmate who is a real estate agent, they had a case like this not long ago. He says If the contract says dishwasher, then it's included. Unless the contract specifically says it's a working dishwasher, you legally have no rights if it doesn't work. Same as air conditioners etc. Rosegum you should be grateful that they gave you money because they certainly didn't have to. I really hope you've read all these comments, you have a husband with cancer and you're wasting your time being petty over a dishwasher, aren't there things more important to you than that?

    Coincidentally my flatmate also said the Chinese are amongst the least likely to do the wrong thing by others.

  • IMBI3 on 29/08/2015 - 08:47
    +1

    Check with your solicitor/conveyancer, not ozb

  • JimmyF on 29/08/2015 - 11:35

    Can't believe 5 days later this thread is still going…… let it be people!

  • FatBlanket on 29/08/2015 - 14:45
    +5

    It could be worse. I bought a house and then found out after settlement that I wasn't working.

  • Eeples on 29/08/2015 - 14:49
    +1

    OP, because it is your first home purchase you ought to have been MORE attentive and vigilant… not less.

    OP, do you think that if you were Chinese the seller would have told you about the broken dishwasher? (soz, trolling)

  • altomic on 29/08/2015 - 21:04
    +2

    I'm half Chinese and take great offence at your racial stereotyping of my people. Typical Anglo Saxon.

    • neonlight on 31/08/2015 - 14:00

      Agree tell him that Chinese says "all your base is belong to us". Buy up everything and OP is lucky to get something off ones hand

  • try2bhelpful on 30/08/2015 - 11:27
    +1

    My 2c
    a) If the dishwasher was included in the description for the house it should be assumed to be working and counted as a fitting.
    b) Bringing the race of the seller into this guarantees to dissipate any sympathy people might have for your plight.
    c) In this case I would've filed this under "live and learn" and moved on.

    Buying a houses is incredibly stressful and this is only increased by finding issues when you move in. The only thing you can do is take a deep breath, get some perspective and work out what fights are worth battling and which ones just become the fodder of dinner party conversation.

  • smpantsonfire on 30/08/2015 - 22:44

    Man I wish I had time to read this thread ! !!!!

  • neonlight on 31/08/2015 - 13:48

    Dishwasher is the last thing I would worry about as a home owner… You have gutters roof, structure fundamentals, pest, sewage.

    So you should move on and check whether you will get roof leak, blocked drains, water leaks from sinks and shower, dirty carpet and perhaps something you cannot choose is be friendly to your neighbours and hope you get along with them…

    Btw some people do not use the dishwasher and prefer hand wash, cultural background and habits etc. So it's possible the seller don't even know the problem as they never use it.

    Mind you when I bought my place the renters put up a poster covering a large hole in the wall for one of the bedrooms, and hid another behind the door. It's a kids and had lots of personal stuff covering here and there. I called that deceiving, but I still had to accept it. The seller didn't care neither or the Re agent. Also came with a leaky roof which i only found out during a storm. I had to climb up and fix. So you reckon I should have claimed those too? Well those didn't come on the professional building inspection report. Even pest report didn't say much until I got infested at front yard with ants. It just happens and you need to deal with it.

  • 2Poor4Ozb on 04/09/2015 - 05:35

    OP it not his fault. We all been there for our 1st home and it wont be our last. Learn from your lesson, not because he's Chinese. When you buy a house, don't trust no one, the agent, the selling, whatever their race, the way they look. Inspect everything, every little corners. Bring your families, friends and notepad, write each damages down, then get them to fixed it or you can bargain down the price. This is your own fault for not being smart, if you have to hate someone, hate yourself and your husband as it is clearly your mistake. There probably more damages around, seems like you didn't do a good job of inspecting it. As for replacing the dishwasher
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/175537

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