It looks like my experience of awful customer service from iRobot’s UK service center, Domotec, was an anomaly. Either that or the spotlight of publicity, combined with my emailing a number of iRobot’s senior management caused someone to ensure policy - and warranties - were being properly applied.
I called Domotec’s service number this morning, after checking by email that they were definitely the authorised warranty centre for Roomba’s sold by the iRobot UK store. A very helpful and friendly lady answered the phone and on hearing my description of the problem offered to send out the replacement cleaning module for me to fit. No quibbles, no fuss, just an immediate acceptance of the problem and offer of an entirely satisfactory solution.
So I can recommend the Roomba again. Just be sure to clean it after EVERY use, not just every 3 times like the manual says!
Glad to hear it’s all sorted - Domotec do do an extended warranty too which will cover replacement modules and the like for another couple of years.