It’s the kitchen-sink drama that just won’t end.
Mamamia has previously reported on the “Thermomix War” that yes, is still raging in the suburbs of Australia.
It started when thousands of people drank the kool aid shelled out $2000 for the very fabulous, can-do-everything, chopper-slicer-mixer-cooker Thermomix… without being told a newer, swankier model was just about to enter the market.
Yesterday, the Thermomix was awarded a CHOICE Shonky Award for “shredding the public’s trust”. CHOICE said the brand’s lack of transparency had made them a poor choice for consumers. They also confirmed Thermomix had beat the current record for public nominations for the Shonky Awards.
Now CHOICE has launched a campaign demanding fair treatment for the hundreds of Australians who feel “ripped off and lied to” .
“We think it is fair that customers who bought the old model mixer be given their choice of compensation and the company should be serving up a lot more than a recipe for lemonade,” says CHOICE spokesperson Tom Godfrey.
CHOICE is calling for consumers who purchased a Thermomix in the three months before the launch of the latest TM5 model to be given a choice of:
• A full refund;
• A $250 discount; or
• An upgrade to the TM5 for $50.
“So far the company has only offered a discount or upgrade to some customers who have chased them directly. Even then customers report the company has only offered a resolution to people who purchased the old model Thermomix a few weeks before the new model was released,” Mr Godfrey says.
“This isn’t good enough, especially when you consider this product isn’t even available on shelves. To purchase a Thermomix you need to arrange a demonstration, order a product from a consultant and then wait for it to ship – this process can take a number of weeks.”
Are you feeling the outrage?
If so, you can sign the petition here, to use the incredible power of the Thermomix for good, not evil.
Top Comments
Actually, they haven't offered anything more than their bowl blade lid set... so no resolution in sight. Their Team Leader of Customer Service isn't even sure what the legislation is that applies to this NOR where to find it... needless to say, she isn't sure what to do with it... Apparently Australian Law doesn't apply to them!
Choice are very credible. They are an independent consumer watchdog and are not paid to say products are fantastic when in fact they're not.
Oh but they do think it's a fantastic product. They have rated it very highly in the past and have made comment on this latest debacle that the product itself is fantastic but it's the way they went about the new release that they won the award for and are campaigning against. So it's all about making sure a band of stay at home mums with heaps of time on their hands get their way and obtain the latest and greatest so they don't feel left out in the playground... Absolutely nothing to do with how good or bad THE PRODUCT is. Making choice look stupid in the mean time for advocating for them.
I'm not a stay at home mum and I support their campaign. Though it is hilarious watching all the sales consultants out there trying to defend Thermomix Australia when their behaviour is clearly indefensible. They kept information from their consultants who in turn unknowingly spread false information. The consultants should be mad at Thermomix Australia, not at those who rightfully feel aggrieved.
Not everyone who disagrees with these complainers is a consultant....like you've accused another poster of being....It IS possible that there are people who don't feel as passionately about this even if they were affect. I am jealous of the amount of time some of these people have on their hands and even more so that this is the biggest issue that these people are facing right now... If only life was that easy for everyone.