Q: I had a problem with my washing machine, which I bought several years ago, and I called a technician to come and fix it. He told me that the problem was the pump, so he changed it and charged me €50.

After the technician left I tried to wash a load of clothes and to my disappointment found out that the washing machine was not working. I called the technician again but did not get a satisfactory reply. I then called the company from where I bought the washing machine and they sent me their technician.

After checking the washing machine, the company’s technician told me that the programmer is broken and that it cannot be fixed. I then called the first technician, informed him what the company’s technician told me, and asked for a refund of the €50 I paid for nothing. He refused to give me my money back and hung up on me.

What are my rights are in this situation?

A: Since you paid a technician to fix your washing machine and he did not manage to do that, legally you are entitled to complain to the technician and ask him to either fix the problem or else give you a refund of the money paid.

If he refuses to provide you with a remedy you can then file a complaint with the Office for Consumer Affairs so that mediation is carried out on your behalf with the aim of reaching an amicable solution.