Karcher Avis 5

I bought an FC5 cordless floor vacuum late 2021. Initially the unit performed well. I accidentally left the unit on charge overnight on one occasion, rendering the battery inoperative when I attempted to recharge it afterwards. Initially I thought it was the charger as I couldn’t believe the unit would be so sensitive to battery failure. Technically the unit was out of warranty but it had performed minimal work. I visited the local Karcher office and they directed me to their subcontracted repairer. I was then told that the battery replacement cost was basically the same as the purchase cost of a brand new unit with all the accessories.

I then reached out at the recommendation of the repair centre to customer complaints. After asking for details of the machine including serial number and evidence of purchase and after a number of email exchanges, the result was that yes, it was out if warranty, bad luck and offered a bottle of cleaning fluid as compensation. Not even a hint of sharing some of the cost to repair or a discount on a replacement unit.

All the unit is good for as well as Karcher’s so called customer service is rubbish. Will add Karcher to the never again purchase experience.

Having bought Karcher equipment for years I am extremely disappointed in the this purchase. It sucks in two respects, great suction but maneuverability is appalling, top heavy so any resistance to pulling the cord or being on slightly uneven surfaces causes it to topple over lose suction and has to be turned off to recommence vacuuming. This due to the incredibly bad design having the wheels right underneath the canister. Why the wheels were not extended beyond the base has me wondering and whoever was responsible for the design does not have a real grip on reality when considering useful applications for commercial cleaning and really should try another career. Not only is unit cumbersome but it lacks sufficient length in the electrical cord, I would not even use this domestically. I am kicking myself for buying this lemon of a vacuum cleaner. I will be selling it and promptly and looking at an alternative. Take my advice and do yourself a favour, don’t waste your time and money on this unit.

We are very disappointed with your company we ordered some o rings to be delivered the next day but we had to wait over a week for the parts to come plus we were told that they would send another pack for us but they didn’t come so very very disappointed jim McPhee

I purchased for our home one of Karcher's hard floor cleaners. It arrived on new years eve and I have used it just once, in order to try it out. I tried it in our conservatory where our two dogs are always in and out, with their muddy paws. It’s okay if you can use it straight away, but leave the dirt to dry and it’s useless!

I have requested a refund as this was not mentioned in the advertisement. I was told that refunds are only given if you have not opened it! How on earth are you to try it if you can’t open the packaging? They do give refunds if its broken, or faulty. However, after a lot of arguing, it was finally agreed that a refund would be paid, but I would have to pay for the postage (fair enough). I asked for an email confirmation which has now arrived. It states that a refund will only be given if I return it in the original package (no problem), and UNOPENED (major problem)! I just give and may try to sell it on eBay!

My SC-5 broke several times within the warranty period and each time it was the same issue. I asked to exchange it, but they declined and now i5s outside of warranty, but karcher said their technicians can't find a fault, therefore there isn't one, but every time I turn it on it blows the steam valve before it is even fully hot so it is virtually useless. Karcher just keep saying there is nothing they can do, but for a $1000 machine, it's just not good enough. Have lodged with VCAT for compensation