Back in August 2008 I received a Sunbeam Mixmaster (word) stand mixer from my two wonderful kids. They had saved up some money and with a little financial help from Mom bought me the mixer for my birthday. I loved it, and proceeded to blend until my heart was content. Now fast forward 11 months and many cakes, cookies, breads later the mixer started to show signs of impending death. The 12 speed motor was now one speed, ungodly fast. The power boot button on top of the mixer had become permanently stuck in the on position. This caused the motor to over heat after being on for about 5 seconds.
My first thought was to try and return it to wherever they bought it, but since it had been almost a year and I had no receipt I knew that was a lost cause. The next step was to call Sunbeam. I guess years of poor customer service from other companies had made me cynical and jaded, so I was expecting a whole lot of "sorry I can't help" or "return it to the store". Well I received neither of theses. What I did encounter was a very friendly CSR (sorry I forgot your name dude) who had me read off my model number, tell him what was wrong, and finally provide him my contact information. After 3 minutes of conversation he informed me that they were going to mail me a shipping label so I could mail my mixer to them. At this point I was appeased, I thought "Ok what does it matter if I have to send it off for repair, its not like I can use it anyway" but as I finished that sentence in my head the CSR informed me to expect my replacement in a few weeks.
Replacement? Woot! That's great! Now I won't have to wait for my old machine to be repaired.
I spoke with the CSR on July 23rd. On July 27th I received the UPS slip to mail back the busted mixer, and 1 day later I received my new mixer! Not only did they have me a new mixer in less than a week, they upgraded me to a nicer model! Needless to say Sunbeam now has a customer for life!
Two things: First, we wish our dad liked to make cakes and cookies when we were growing up. Instead, he liked to "experiment" with omelettes and tabasco sauce every couple of months. Sad. Second, that's some pretty impressive customer service from Sunbeam.
]]>When I was a kid, I wouldn't touch tobacco (I still won't) or tabasco (I do, but I prefer to make my own hot sauces)
]]>Regardless of reported safety improvements, etc, electric blankets are not allowed in my home.
]]>P.S. (for the literal minded) I don't know about you, but I clean my kitchen appliances after every use.
]]>@chiieddy: How do you know when to clean it? Wouldn't the blood mix in with the color. Sounds to me like someone wants to contaminate everything they make :P
]]>Kindof linty though, the fabric they're made from. I don't know if that's standard for electric blankets.
]]>:D
We put ours out in the winter and use it CONSTANTLY to make a quick cup of hot cocoa or tea or cider.
]]>I've inherited my mom's Sunbeam Mixmaster, which she received as a wedding gift in 1970 and I learned how to bake with 23 years ago. I love that it's held up well for so long, but I'm even happier to hear about the great customer service if/when anything goes wrong with it.
I've looked at the recent line of Sunbeam mixers, but am frustrated that non of them have the "pull the mixers out while it's still running" feature. I use that to save soooo much time when baking (less scraping off of the blades). Does anyone know if I'm missing a model that has this characteristic?
Yeah, yeah, I know it's all about liability and safety now, but kids need to learn not to touch the moving parts.
OOH! Where can I get one? I'm single and hate heating up a whole pot of water just for one cup.
]]>I purchased a product from Adam & Eve, and it stopped working after a couple of months. I called in and they said they'd send me a replacement (its on backorder, though so it'll be a while).
]]>I would have submitted it to TC if I thought it had any chance of being more interesting to them than articles like
"How to Tell Your Kid That The Sales Clerk Is A Big Phoney"
Sunbeam is pretty great. I bought a Hot Shot a few years ago that up and died. Sent them an email, brand new Hot Shot in the mail a few days later. No questions asked.
]]>@pecan 3.14159265: Yep, me too. I'm not going to forgo cooking and baking for the decade or more that I might be living in apartments.
We didn't have much of a problem with counterspace - one freestanding narrow shelf added just enough space to keep the KitchenAid and Cuisinart out rather than in the cupboard.
]]>This sounded so familiar that I snort-laughed in my cubicle.
]]>@pecan 3.14159265: That implies you have cabinet space! I have none. I'd be piling it up on the floor.
]]>@Thaddeus: You sure it's pea green? I think Sunbeam's been remarketing that colour as "olive" lately.
]]>@pecan 3.14159265: My parents have the same one. It lives on the counter, and my mom enjoys pointing out that it is older than I am, and has lived in 4 states and 2 countries. When I was little, I seriously thought that you weren't a Grown Up until you had an incredibly heavy mixer with multiple attachments.
]]>(It heats one cup of water to a boil and dispenses it. Tiny footprint, no fuss. Great for tea, instant soup, instant-other-hot-drinks, etc. Excellent for dorms and offices!)
]]>It's experiences like mine with Logitech, yours with Remington, and the tipsters with Sunbeam that make customers for life. More companies should learn from this kinda support. As for me, I try to by Logitech gear whenever possible and even invested in their stock :)
]]>My parents Sunbeam tea maker (hot tea) broke down a few months back. Sunbeam sent them an ice tea maker and a replacement hot tea maker. They were also very happy with the customer service they recieved from Sunbeam
]]>WooT!! My story was published!!
]]>Then I got to the end. They sent a better model. Now I'm impressed! Way to go, Sunbeam!
]]>@ajlei: *shrug* I live in an apartment, but I have a lot of professional cooking materials, like a stand mixer, a hand mixer, a blender, etc. I just keep it in the cabinets so I save counter space.
]]>@locakitty: I have a shiny white Kitchenaid stand mixer. It weighs about 20 pounds (which means Mr. Pi has to come in and get it for me) but it's fantastic. Well worth the money.
]]>Customers can be swayed so easily.
]]>Isn't this the same Sunbeam brand that made Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap famous? He's noteworthy for slashing expenses at the company many years ago.
]]>It would be interesting to hear if all these other brands are as responsive as Sunbeam. My gut instinct is that a company that big with that many brands can't possible care. I would be happy to be wrong.
]]>Of course, I'm still saving up for a fancypants KitchenAid. Mainly because they have red ones. :)
]]>Most seriously, "Mixmaster" is an iconic name. The fact that it endures this far into the 21st century makes me want to believe in the future of humanity.
]]>Some companies are still doing customer service the right way - by serving the customer. :-)
]]>Hearing things like this makes me more likely to consider Sunbeam stuff so it goes to show how good service and word of mouth (or in this case text) can pay off.
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