FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS1185
VerifiedMPN: VS11853 reviews
This product works OK on the bags, but the plastic storage containers with hard lids start failing after only a few uses. I bought several of them in different sizes and the vaccuum seal on all of them but two has failed after six months. I do not put them in the dishwasher either. I am very disappointed as they are expensive.
Purchased in at Kitchen Warehouse.
This handheld device has worked well with very little use over the last year or so, but recently the charging connections on the back of the device have collapsed and don’t connect with the charger anymore. You’d think it’d be a simple issue to resolve through customer service, but you’d be wrong. First email response demanded a photo of handwritten note with the device in the picture. They also demanded a video and a photo of the device not working as well as a receipt. Photos of the model number and product label were demanded as well. I provided these, and 24 hours later received yet another email asking for the receipt. I again attached it and responded. On their latest communication, they have completely ignored all other emails and embarked on a trouble shooting mission including demanding a reset (!) of the vacuum handle.
The customer service is, as others have remarked here, laughably bad. It’s like being in a Monty Python sketch!!
Follow-up · As a follow up, the response from the Sunbeam time wasting “Customer Service” team is displayed in all its splendour. They’re disappointed that I’m disappointed in the completely pointless process I engaged in with them, but they don’t express disappointment that their product has stopped working and is now going to landfill. I’m also not sure what the terms and conditions are that they mention, but I suspect that’s relating to their warranty of the item, which is 24 months. When I contacted Sunbeam, my sealer was 25 months old - one month out of warranty. You do with that what you like and if you think this company will assist you if their products fail, you might want to reconsider and consider other products like I have. My Amazon sealer is better in every way, and was half the price!
Purchased in at Harvey Norman for $85.
Hi Peter, Thank you for sharing your experience. We are disappointed to learn that you have been dissatisfied with the resolution of your matter. Our customer service team works to provide the best resolutions available in line with our Terms and Conditions.
Your feedback has been shared with our team.
Thank you, Sunbeam Customer Care
Useful Addition – After using the bigger machine and finding how useful it was, I bought a handheld model for our caravan. So much easier to store. After vacuum packing food from home, it seemed sensible to then use the zip bags and containers while we are away. We travel for at least three months in winter. The zip bags hold cheese, bacon, and cold meats etc. Take out what you want to use, and the handheld model will seal them again. Just make sure there is nothing hiding along the seal line, or it won’t vacuum properly. The benefit of these bags is that smells are contained and of course the food lasts longer. They are reusable too, although you must take care that they are well cleaned. The containers are well made, non-breakable and stack well. All great when you are travelling. I bought extra, they are excellent but prefer the black lid ones as they are easier to open. . We don’t have a big refrigerator, so space is premium. The handheld vacuum pump is easy to use. Once charged it lasts a long time. It is important to read the instructions as the first charge should be for 24 hours. Pleased with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend.
Purchased in at David Jones Online Store for $79.
As a footnote this appliance lasted a month past the warranty period and I was told by the customer service person that it was too bad and they were not going to replace it. I could have gone to Fair Trading but it was close to Christmas so I just bought another. My husband, an engineer, decided to take the faulty one apart. It appears because of the design, water, or rather moisture, can get into the motor, which it did as there was a lot of corrosion. Perhaps the sealer was not used enough but I was very disappointed. Let’s hope I get more than 12 months with the new one. Beware
Hi Mardi, We truly apologize and we appreciate your feedback as it helps us to improve our products and processes, please feel free to contact us anytime for questions concerning our products and we will be always happy to help.
Thank you, FoodSaver Customer Care
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Hi Jay, Thank you for sharing your experience while using your FoodSaver VS1185. We are disappointed to learn about the issue you are experiencing.
We are happy to help you troubleshoot. Please give us a call at 1300 881 861, from 10:00am to 6:00pm - Monday - Friday AEDT.
Thank you, FoodSaver Customer Care