Masport Lawn Mower Has Blown up - Do I Have Any Recourse?

firebucket on 15/04/2019 - 16:13

I bought a Masport Lawn Mower for about $500, 3 years ago from the local Stihl Dealer.

It's been a gutless mower and pretty useless really. But got the job done.

However, I have recently had trouble starting it and got a full service costing about $150 - four months ago.

Now, after continuing to have trouble starting it I took it back to Stihl dealer and they now say the motor is "stuffed".

They offered to put in a second hand motor for about $180 to "fix it."

I asked if it was covered under warranty and they say that the warranty is only for 2 years. So bad luck.

Honestly, I don't want to throw any more good money after bad.

I told them to keep it and will go and buy a decent brand. I am really unimpressed with the quality.

However, was just thinking if I have any rights/protections under the Consumer Law?

Surely a lawn mower should last longer than that?

Thoughts?

Home & Garden Lawn Mower Masport

Comments

  • altomic on 15/04/2019 - 16:15
    -1

    I get my lawn mowers from hard rubbish collection. My current mower was recovered 8 years ago and is now over due for an oil change and blade sharpening.

  • GG57 on 15/04/2019 - 16:15
    +3

    Nope.

  • ESEMCE on 15/04/2019 - 16:36
    +3

    $150 to service a mower?
    $180 to fit an old motor?

    You have every right to be royally pissed off, I wouldn't be going back to the dealer for anything but to use their toilet and piss on the floor.

    Go get your mower and take it to someone who isn't going to rip you off as the Stihl dealer has clearly been doing!!

  • firebucket on 15/04/2019 - 16:39

    To be fair the service did include 4 x new blades….. But I agree. Bit rich.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2019 - 17:03
      +1

      An hour of time, $30 for blades, $30 for oil.

      I wouldn't call it a royal rip off. A bit rich but I wouldn't mind paying if service was good and there's a clean toilet with no piss on the floor.

  • qwerty on 15/04/2019 - 17:03

    Bring up the Australian consumer law and around 3 years+ being reasonable for a mower , if not contact accc and ask

    • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2019 - 17:05

      Too many variables for ACL to be enforced. If I were to use a push mower where I am, it wouldn't last one round and I wouldn't blame the mower.

  • shaybisc on 15/04/2019 - 17:05

    Bit confused here. Title says mower blew up but only problem mentioned in description is difficulty in starting. Did it blow up? I can see how that might make an engine hard to start.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2019 - 17:06

      Me thinks engine flood.

  • boomramada on 15/04/2019 - 17:09

    Me think buy a new one, Honda, first time every time (It really does start first time everytime).

  • firebucket on 15/04/2019 - 17:14

    Thanks everyone for the replies. No it didn't actually blow up per-se. The dealer just says the motor is stuffed. Apologies for the sensationalist title.

    Yes I am thinking that a 2 stroke Honda or Rover will be the next mower. The last one worked for over 15 years.

    Do they even do a 2 stroke option anymore? I am over the 4 stroke.

    • Peanut money on 15/04/2019 - 17:54

      Maybe the dealer has had a slow April and needs to drum up business

      Lawn mowers are very basic and shouldn’t just not work

  • askme69 on 15/04/2019 - 17:33

    Go and buy a secondhand 2 stroke. The one I have is 20 years old (cost $30), sits outside in the rain, tank fills up with water all the time. All i do is tip it upside down and let the water/fuel mix out of the tank. Pull the plug and give it a clean with some sandpaper and spray some start Ya Bastard in the head and it starts first go.

    LOve the noise and smell.

    • RockyRaccoon on 15/04/2019 - 21:46

      Wouldnt it be easier and cheaper to buy a small tarp and cover it rather than drain, remove plug etc

    • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:23

      I agree. I am not a fan of the 4 stroke. Do they make new 2 strokes anymore? I dont want to buy someone elses problem.

  • whooah1979 on 15/04/2019 - 17:51

    Op, how many times have you serviced the 4 stroke mower in the past 3 years?

    • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:22

      Hi, It has been serviced twice. Once, soon after I bought it and then in December 18.

      I actually bought it in October 16 and the warranty is for 2 years. So not long out really.

      • whooah1979 on 17/04/2019 - 08:30

        Did you check the oil from time to time?

        • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:36

          Yes I did. I don't think that was an issue. The mechanic did say there was oil in the air filter and questioned whether it had been turned over in transport etc. But I hadn't done that either.

  • StonedWizard on 15/04/2019 - 22:01
    +1

    OP go buy a Ryobi with a Subaru from Bunnings <$500 much better deal.

    • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:22

      Thanks for that. You think the Ryobi is a good option? I was thinking Honda or Rover?

  • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:25

    Thanks everyone for your input. Does anyone have any further suggestions on good mowers <$1000

    • KingJuf on 17/04/2019 - 08:42
      +1

      How big is the area you are mowing? I would suggest a reel mower for a decent sized area or a Honda rotary for smaller areas

      • firebucket on 17/04/2019 - 08:43

        1000m2 block of reasonably thick grass

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