Budget Buster-Front loader washing machine

[herdtoDisney]

I have a Kenmore HE3 front loader. Only six years old. I loved this machine, bragged on it here even. Never had any gasket or smell issues. It was very efficient...UNTIL IT DIED.

Yep. Maybe died is not the right word. Perhaps, early retirement

It started flashing a F11 code, which according to the internet means YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK actually, it could be one of several very expensive electronic parts. We actually ordered one dh thought it was, but it didn't fix it.

So tonight, I'm angry and about 8 loads behind on laundry (it actually broke 10 days ago, we just got the part today , I've been hitting the laundrymat and my mom's to wash). Dh is angry at me for having bought this thing 6 years ago-sheesh, it DID actually save water and energy, how was I supposed to know it was going to croak? He doesn't want to buy another one, he won't let me call repair (it would cost more than it's worth anyhow), and he can't fix it. I said, so...should I quit my job and go down to the river and bash our laundry on rocks, to wash it???

I don't think they even make non-electronic machines anymore. And what about efficiency? But this should have lasted much longer, and I sure didn't have this in the budget-right now when I'm trying to get the kids their school stuff.

So, anything I ever said nice about my front-loader on the board-I TAKE BACK

 

[starry_solo]

They do still make non-electronic washing machines; you really have to look hard for them though, but I found them at the Sears Outlet store.

Pile DH's dirty laundry on his side of the room and let him walk over it Maybe that will make him change his mind about buying a new one

 

[jackskellington01]

I feel so bad for you! But I am getting worried I have the same washing machine as you and mine isn't all that great either. We bought ours almost 7 years ago. The darn thing has been acting funny for sometime now. I swear they just don't make things last today.

 

[POOHDRMR]

I hear you! I had a maytag HE washer only 3 years old and I went down to switch over the laundry and there was water all over the basement.Turns out some bearing thing in the drum broke and to fix it was 500 bucks just for the part(FIL was going to do it for us).The washer was only around 800 and who knows what would have broken next so we wound up getting a new one for another 1000.We got a samsung because we have gone through 2 maytags in 8 years and we had a GE that we returned before the 2nd maytag because it wasn't strong enough to pump up from our basement.I took out the 5 year warrenty this time and figured if it breaks after that at least it was only 200 a year for it!We had an old GE in the house when we moved in from probably the 80's-they don't make things like they used to.

 

[herdtoDisney]

The kicker is-I would never have even bought the machine, I was very happy with my Kenmore mechanical top loader that was about 7 years old, but we sold the home it was in and the buyer wanted the set, so I had to get new ones. I actually went to Sears with the intention to buy the same exact model-but got derailed by the shiny front loaders Had we taken the machines with us, I would have kept them to this day.

It's crazy, I actually WANT to be doing this

 

[riley2008]

Thank you for posting this.

My mother has really been insisting that DH and I need a new washer and dryer. She really thinks we "need" a front loader to save on water since we are now on a well. I was just about to consider it.

I have a Frigidaire washer that is more than 10 years old but holds a ton of clothes, washes very well and spins so fast the clothes are nearly dry when I pull them out. Our dryer, doesn't even have a name on top - not sure what brand it is. It was "loaned" to us when we moved into this house - our previous home had gas. I have no idea hold old that sucker is, but at least four familes have "upgraded" from it and it has spent time stored in a barn. The handle is falling off - so you have to be careful and open the door just so. It heats way too hot, so everything must be dried on low or medium.

No one goes into my laundry except me, DH and the boys, and they don't stay long.

My washer and dryer work. They are as ugly as can be. They work. I'll let friends have their really cool looking red, blue and lime green washers and dryers. I won't make them look at mine.

To OP - maybe check Craigslist for someone trying to dump their reliable washer for the new and improved ones.

Thanks again! You saved me $$$

 

[punkin]

These things are made to work for about 5 years and then they go kaput. It's planned obsolescence and supposedly it's because people upgrade every five years anyway. I think it's a scam.

 

[adisneymama]

Kenmore products have gone downhill ever since the Kmart/Sears merger. I have an LG front loader that is almost 5 yrs old and never had a problem. Love this machine. Front loaders aren't the problem, the problem is that things aren't made the way they use to be including the top load style washers. Certain brands are better than others. I have a Kenmore fridge that after 4 yrs started acting up and I promise you after it finally dies it will be the last Kenmore product I ever buy. G/L OP getting a new machine.

 

[kellydizfan]

Oh No I hope not. We did have horrible trouble with ours a few months after we purchased it - will never purchase another Sears Item again. I just hope ours holds out a few years. We have had it at least 3 or 4 years now - lost count actually. We fought with Sears for 2 months to get them to replace it as it was only a few months old when it went the first time. We finally got a new washer from them but will never do it again. Maytag isn't as good as they say either. We had one prior and it lasted about 7 or so years. Dryer a little longer. I don't know what we will get next time.

 

[disneyismyname]

I have a Kenmore HE3 front loader. Only six years old. I loved this machine, bragged on it here even. Never had any gasket or smell issues. It was very efficient...UNTIL IT DIED.

Yep. Maybe died is not the right word. Perhaps, early retirement

It started flashing a F11 code, which according to the internet means YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK actually, it could be one of several very expensive electronic parts. We actually ordered one dh thought it was, but it didn't fix it.

So tonight, I'm angry and about 8 loads behind on laundry (it actually broke 10 days ago, we just got the part today , I've been hitting the laundrymat and my mom's to wash). Dh is angry at me for having bought this thing 6 years ago-sheesh, it DID actually save water and energy, how was I supposed to know it was going to croak? He doesn't want to buy another one, he won't let me call repair (it would cost more than it's worth anyhow), and he can't fix it. I said, so...should I quit my job and go down to the river and bash our laundry on rocks, to wash it???

I don't think they even make non-electronic machines anymore. And what about efficiency? But this should have lasted much longer, and I sure didn't have this in the budget-right now when I'm trying to get the kids their school stuff.

So, anything I ever said nice about my front-loader on the board-I TAKE BACK

I've said it before in posts and I will say it again....do not buy Kenmore. Sear's facebook page is full to the brim with people who have had problems with this product (Sear's own product mind you). Between getting their products fixed constantly to needing them replaced after a couple years. Its a pain. And yes, we have a Kenmore washer/dryer that has cost us more money to fix than when we purchased. I will be spending the extra money and buying Maytag. You live and learn.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Yes, no more Kenmore for me. Sad though, because the other Kenmore ones I had, which I bought in around 1997, were great. But I heard this week that they had outsourced a lot of the front loaders. Supposedly Maytag and a few other manufacturers have brought their work back to the US, so that will be something I choose when I get a new one.

Dh is still being a jerk about it-this week is our 'vacation' (we're doing a staycation, we did Disney in Feb so this is just chill time) and I get to spend it at the laundromat which is crazy expensive! much to my shock. I hadn't used a laundromat since I was like 20.

 

[Sadie22]

Kenmore appliances are made by LG, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool (which now owns Maytag, Amana, and others). Basically no one wants to buy a new laundry appliance ever again?

I read all the complaints before choosing my new laundry pair. Most of the complainers had not read or did not understand the instruction manual and had not conducted the most rudimentary maintenance in order to get the expected years of use out of their machines. I bought a frontloading washing machine to replace the toploader which would have cost more than half the price of a new machine to repair. I used Consumer Reports recommendations, and I bought a Kenmore to replace a Kenmore.

 

[ceecee]

When we shopped for our last washer, the salesman said today's appliances last 8-10 years. My old washer was 25 years old (still worked) and the dryer was 13. I gave them to someone since they still worked, I wanted more efficient ones and silly me I thought the new front loader would be faster!!! We researched online and Samsung and LG came up with the best ratings. We got the LG on Black Friday for a really good price.

 

[Plumeria9]

I bought the 1st generation Maytag Neptune and it went crazy on me after 7 years also. I was livid. Why did I spend all that money on something that wasn't going to last at least 15 years?! Mine didn't just die, it just wouldn't start when the weather was cold. So in the winter when it decided to act up, it would take maybe 45 mins. before it would actually start. Since it worked, I waited until spring to get energy rebates and that sort of thing. So 1 1/2 yrs ago I bought the Samsung front loader & dryer. I forgot what I paid, since I was so mad at having to do so! I did get about $900 in rebates, but I felt that the price was not rock bottom because of all of those rebates. So check out what you can get in rebates plus any tax-free deals that might be lurking out there. Good luck!

 

[Crystal824]

I just bought an LG front loading washer. . . it shoudl be delivered tomorrow. After 6 years, my regular top loading washer stopped working and the cost to repair it would have been almost the cost of buying a new top loading washer. Here, we are...not happy to hear that my new washer, which cost twice as much as my old one probably won't last any longer than my older one.

 

[Sadie22]

When we shopped for our last washer, the salesman said today's appliances last 8-10 years. My old washer was 25 years old (still worked) and the dryer was 13. I gave them to someone since they still worked, I wanted more efficient ones and silly me I thought the new front loader would be faster!!! We researched online and Samsung and LG came up with the best ratings. We got the LG on Black Friday for a really good price.

On some cycles, yes, my new front loader takes longer than my old toploader. However, according to my research and my experience with my new machine, as a rule the clothes dry more quickly. So although the washing may take longer, drying is shorter. Is this true for you?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am so sorry, I went through this last summer and our machine was only about 7 years old. My grandmother could make a washer last over 10 years easy.

I was told more than once that they aren't made to last that long anymore, then I had to give in a buy a new one.

Then a few weeks later, our dryer died, don't remember how old it was. Luckily I was able to find the dryer that matched my washer, I hvae never had a matching pair before.

I got an LG, they come with a 10 year warranty on the direct drive motor. I love it. I am not even sure if it saves on water or energy, but I sure have saved on laundry detergent.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Kenmore appliances are made by LG, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool (which now owns Maytag, Amana, and others). Basically no one wants to buy a new laundry appliance ever again?

I read all the complaints before choosing my new laundry pair. Most of the complainers had not read or did not understand the instruction manual and had not conducted the most rudimentary maintenance in order to get the expected years of use out of their machines. I bought a frontloading washing machine to replace the toploader which would have cost more than half the price of a new machine to repair. I used Consumer Reports recommendations, and I bought a Kenmore to replace a Kenmore.

I 'want' to buy a new washer, however, it seems our choices are very limited as far as manufacturers.

I actually read and followed all the instructions of my dead machine. Despite this, it still died.

Well, after seeing me ready 3 baskets and 2 hampers of laundry to go to a laundromat, dh said let's go buy one TODAY So we went to Lowes, and got a Maytag (made by whirlpool we found out) top-loading HE machine. So, it's like a front loader turned upright At least with this design, there is no gasket to stink and leak.

Lowes this week is having a 10% off sale and free delivery and take-away. So the machine was $512. I got an extended warranty (which I NEVER do) for $99 for 5 years. Which is less than the part I bought for the Kennmore that didn't fix it anyway .

It comes tomorrow! lol
Here's hoping to a long functional life for everyone's machines!

 

[BBandDisney]

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