Washer/Dryer reviews?

Go to your local public library and get Consumer's Reports. They are not perfect, but a good place to start.

perfect, but a good place to start.

ditto

consumer reports to start

marc

Speed Queen still makes models with mechanical controls. It looks like their base model washer starts around $850 so it's not too far off of your target price.

Put new rollers in ur dryer and run it another 10 years. I got a Frigidaire front loading washing machine 10 maybe 12 years ago and it's been good to me, doesn't use a bunch of water and the clothes get really clean. Bonus answer,:.... >>>>--------> Tide or Gain for the detergent.

On 20 Jul 2016, snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote in alt.home.repair:

That's a good idea and I will do it. But I would still like to hear anybody's personal opinion or experience.

Anything you get is not going to be as good as one you had!!! Note: stay way from Energy savers!!!

I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this exercise in the past couple of years and has any comments to make on brands or features to consider or avoid? For example, the kid at Sears made it sound like stainless steel drums in the washer is an advantage. I see some dryers have a "steam" option that supposedly takes wrinkles out of clothes. Doesn't sound like a feature I'd use much. I notice that most washers, except the very cheapest models, lack the tall center agitator. Not sure what that's all about, but I assume they clean as well as the old style. I read some comments saying that GE washers make a lot of noise and LG are not very reliable.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

one thing i would do differently [next time]

i bought a washer with too small capacity, for me [i like to run larger loads, instead of [more] smaller loads]

marc

Speed Queen. I had Speed Queen washer/dryer for 17 years, then foolishly replaced it with a front-loader and a new gas dryer. The front-load washer was a pain; something on it died prematurely and we didn't want to start swapping out $200 components to figure out which one it was.

We now have a Speed Queen washer and dryer again. There was nothing wrong with the gas dryer, but we moved the laundry from basement to... a location where carbon monoxide could potentially be drawn into our HVAC ducting, so we went with electric.

You might have to search for a dealer in your area; it's not often carried by the big-box stores.

Cindy Hamilton

On 21 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote in alt.home.repair:

I did a quick check and the only Speed Queen dealers in the area are a few small mom&pop appliance stores, none of which are convenient to get to. I would like to check them out, but may not have a good opportunity.

What is wrong with mom and pop shops? Many are price competitive and offer better service than the big box stores. You are buying something that you may have for the next 20 years and don't want to invest an extra hour or so?

On 21 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in alt.home.repair:

I don't believe I said or implied there is anything wrong with mom and pop stores. Am I mistaken about that?

I can't invest much of what I haven't got much of, which is time.

look at it this way, invest the time NOW in shopping..........

or invest it later, calling to get service, waiting for tech to arrive, waiting while the tech checks things out, only to declare will order parts, dont have them with me........

then wait again when the parts arrive, for the tech to come back out, and install parts.

invest a couple hours shopping now, or perhaps 10 hours service time later.......

the choice is yours.

We bought from one 20 miles away, over the telephone. They delivered.

Cindy Hamilton

OK, your choice. Pay me now or pay me later?

1. Buy what is on sale at the closest big box store.
2. Repeat as needed.

On 22 Jul 2016, bob haller wrote in alt.home.repair:

I thought it was obvious, but apparantly not, so I'll say it in other words: That's exactly what I'm doing, including asking for advice here.

On 22 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in alt.home.repair:

Those are not the only choices.

My immediate choice is to not be in a hurry to drive several hours to look at Speed Queens.

On 22 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote in alt.home.repair:

That's a good thought. I suppose there's not much to be gained by actually seeing an appliance like that, since the specs are all available online. I don't much care what it looks like.

Some cut.

Check Amazon.

Nil,

If you like your 36 yr old, you might check to see what it would cost to refurbish it. I bought a GE washer 1994 that was great -- regular agitator (some don't have them now), water returns to the tub into the center filter which removed the link, drain flow was standard at the time (slow enough for the existing old standpipe.) Also had the minibasket which wife liked.

Around 2008 it developed a leak in a transmission seal. Cost to repair including labor would have been $200-300. New GE washer was around $400-500 so went with the new one.

Have never be happy with new washer. Does not clean well, super high and noisy spin, shakes the house, twists and wrinkles clothes, no lint filter, on and on.... Wife liked the stylish look, color and the fact it had buttons instead of knobs so we kept it. Got worse and worse. Now

Buttons means circuit boards and connections.... not good on a mechanical item that shakes like crazy. Mechanical parts are easy to replace and a lot more sturdy and cheaper than electronics.

Long story.....

I still have the old washer in the garage, but the transmission is no longer available. Will look at replacing the seal when I have time and unloading the "new improved" model at a garage sale for $1 as is where is good luck don't come back.