Monday, February 18, 2013

I think we've outsmarted ourselves

What is the deal with washing machines today?   Since when does a simple washer cost $1,000 or more?  I bought a Whirlpool high efficiency, high capacity, state-of-the-art model less than 3 years ago and it's now making such a horrendous racket I doubt it will last the week.  It's a piece of crap!  Whirlpool....crap.  Remember that.

I've gone online and found that these things are notorious for bearing failure and dumping transmissions.  The cost to fix is more than the washer is worth, plus it's likely it will do the same thing....same factory parts....within another 2 or 3 years.  Extended service warranties are usually just a cash cow for the manufacturers so I never get them.  This is one time I wish I had.

Remember the day when you'd buy a Kenmore washer and dryer (made by Whirlpool) and they would last 15-20 years with minimal, usually do-it-yourself maintenance?



I certainly don't remember mom looking like this!  (And if Donna Reed had been my mom, I guarantee I would have noticed.)

Think about it....all it does is jump up and down for a while, then spin round and round for a while.  (The washer, not mom.)  Big whoop.  You'd think they would have perfected them by now.

I've gone to Consumer Reports to get the low-down on which one I should buy next, but looking at the customer reviews, even for the highest rated models, nobody seems too happy with any brand/model.  And if you look at the "how long have you owned this washer" question, most say less than one year.  ONE YEAR?  Really?  They can't keep a $1,000 washer glued together for a year?  *shaking head*

I think I'm gonna take my FIL's advice and just buy the cheapest one I can find.  The more expensive and complicated they are, the more features they have (that nobody uses anyway), the more trouble they are.  A washing machine shouldn't need a "mother board", for cryin' out loud.  They're making these things waaaaay too complicated.  

S


12 comments:

  1. Kenmore is made by lots of manufactrurers. We've been happy with our Kenmore washer, but it was made by LG, not Whirlpool.

    Best investment ever was the appliance coverage offered by our local natural gas/energy company. For a few dollars a month, virtually any problem with an appliance is covered. For us, that's been a lifesaver for our expensive refrigerator—which is a Frigidaire and has needed repairs three times in 2 years.

    Yes, appliances are definitely not of the same quality we once knew.

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    1. I know nothing about Kenmore appliances today, but my understanding was many years ago Whirlpool was their primary supplier. I dearly wish my electric company would offer such a warranty plan.

      S

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  2. Once again you are spot on. Buy the cheapest simplest and it will last for 15 years or for me a lifetime.

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    1. And if they're disposable, why not dispose a cheap one 3 years from now instead fo a $1,000 model?

      S

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  3. When the agitator on our 18 year old washer stopped working I was really excited about getting a new front loading one (for more counter space), but after Mike read the reviews we were even more excited when he found the parts to fix the old one!

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    1. Yep. Even the top Consumer Reports model received only 2 1/2 stars (out of 5) from consumers. That's sad.

      S

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  4. My washer/dryer was included in the apartment so if it ever breaks I just call the leasing office and complain. Problem solved.

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    1. Everything else here is apartment owned. Only the washer and dryer are mine. Damn it!

      S

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    2. Our stove went out after we'd only had it a year. It needed a circuit board that cost five hundred dollars. Thank god it was under warranty.

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  5. Scott, get with the program. Skip the "mother board" and buy one of those "scrubbing boards" you see in Little House on the Prairie.

    Alternatively, go with a Bosch. Germans have been making front loaders for decades longer than Americans. They've got it down pat.

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  6. SWMBO bought out last washer in '95 and dryer about 5 years ago, both second hand, and they still work flawlessly. Maybe you shouldn't wash your motor parts in them.

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    1. But Bruce....K won't let me use the bathtub. :(

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