Wow - Well Done Le Creuset !!

[Smowball]

About 8 years ago we purchased a very expensive set of Le Creuset saucepans and frying pans - well to be exact it was a set of 3 saucepans and then the two frying pans that matched them. Our justification for the expense was that the6 came with a lifetime guarantee(within reason obviously!! ). However, the last 6 months or so we’ve noticed that the inside linings are starting to chip away, mainly on the 2 smaller saucepans. In fact it is very noticeable. We don’t use metal utensils in them or anything like that, they aren’t put in the dishwasher, so we are careful with them but they are used almost every day. Anyway, MrSmow, over dinner a month or so ago , said to me “Well why don’t you challenge their lifetime guarantee??”. He was half teasing as he said it but I said why not! And took him up on it! We agreed we’d be delighted if they would replace even just the two smaller ones which were the worst.

Sooooo, started with me emailing them with photos of all 5 items of cookware, plus original receipt (not far short of £700!!) . Instant reply within hours, stating Thankyou etc etc but they are over-run with a huge backlog at the mo and will get back to me in time….. Couple of weeks went by and nothing so I emailed again. Again reply straight away - this time asking for photos of the underneath of all cooking utensils, and not just the insides. Sent. Two weeks passed again, nothing, email sent & same reply saying they are inundated with ‘a high level of enquiries’……
This morning I get an email……. Le Creuset have agreed to replace the entire lot!!
Am not only thrilled, but amazed!!

[barry1010]

Good. Lots of complaints about that company at the moment. Apparently you aren't supposed to use them to cook with olive oil.

I bought a pressure cooker with a lifetime guarantee some years ago - it is now a saucepan as the gasket is no longer available. Tower didn't want to know

[davebro]

I had a pepper mill with a lifetime guarantee - it broke, but after 25 years use I didn't have the heart to claim!

[barry1010]

'Lifetime guarantee' is totally meaningless.

[Smowball]

I genuinely didn’t expect them to replace, but as I never complain but as they were so expensive, and as Barry has just said they do indeed seem to be having lots of complaints at the moment so I thought well I’ll give it a go!!

[douglas9401]

Sacre orange!

[davebro]

I think Le C are severely limiting their market if they don't expect to sell to people using olive oil for cooking!

[barry1010]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10748087/Le-Creuset-warns-dont-fry-olive-oil-DAMAGE-pans-customer-complaint.html

[Gromit]

douglas
// Sacre orange! //

Brilliant.

[Smowball]

I didn’t even know about the olive oil! And that’s daft to expect people to not use that!
And also LOVE sacre orange - brilliant!!

[barry1010]

John Lewis is telling people not to cook with olive oil in their ceramic pans; chefs warn not to use it when cooking with teflon coated pans as it ruins the coating.
Some say refined olive oil is fine to cook with but not extra virgin.
Others are saying it is perfectly fine to cook with any olive oil in any sort of pan.
So, it is as clear as the washing up water when you've washed up your mucky frying pans

[Smowball]

Learn something new every day…..

[barry1010]

When I was a kid olive oil was only sold in teeny bottles in the chemist to put down your earholes to clear wax.
Those were the days when every house I went in had a chip pan full of solid, well used lard or dripping.

[pastafreak]

Maybe it's the heat that's the problem. I've always heard never use olive oil at high temperatures. Manufacturers may find it easier to just say dont use it.

[Patsy33]

Well done, Smow. Good outcome :-)

[SparklyKid]

30 years ago from a catalogue returns shop I bought a set of prestige lifetime copper bottom set of 4 pans, 3 with lids and a milk pan.

£15 , still in daily use, beat that.

[Hopkirk]

For our wedding present we got some quality copper bottomed Prestige pans with a lifetime guarantee.

They were good for many years. However just before the handles started falling off, Prestige went bankrupt.
Someone bought the trading name, but I haven't bothered asking for replacements. I know the answer.

[barry1010]

I really do not agree with the practice of buying/selling trade names

[davebro]

38 (yes 38) years ago I bought a set of seconds Swan stainless steel copper-bottomed pans from a colleague whose husband worked at the Swan factory. The pans are still in regular use & look as good as new!