Russell Hobbs 18139

At time of purchase it appeared to be a very reasonable price for a reputable brand. The tiny cable is always a cause for annoyance, dictating the toaster to be sighted in an awkward position. The heat setting is totally insensitive, causing many a failed and badly burnt toasting. Now for the bad news: at three months old, when the lever is pressed down, the mains electric fuses blow - every time!

I have tried testing the plug with an ampere meter (when unplugged from the mains socket). When pressing the toaster lever down, the meter reacts to the live and neutral connections shorting out.

I purchased this toaster 15 November 2011 .. price was good although on arrival the product felt cheap and flimsy. We are an older couple who live alone and constantly diet so this machine has had very little, very light usage. After 8 months the mechanism that holds the bread down failed, clearly a manufacturing defect. The arrogant response from Russell Hobbs is its my responsibility and at my cost to return it to them to have it repaired, problem is I no longer have the packaging and courier costs are 50% of the buy price, it is now out with the trash where it clearly belongs. My advice to avoid shabby products and equally shoddy service is avoid the flimsy rubbish that the Russell Hobbs brand is now associated with.