Might as well just make a blind pick (appliance related)

[angierae]

Our range just went kablooey on us last night; I have no idea if a repair will be worth it, DH is calling the repair place today. It's 7 years old and was bought when the house was a rental (so I'm sure it was the cheapest thing out there) and I'm pushing for just replacing it. Fixing a low-end stove (the oven isn't evne self-cleaning!) seems like a waste of money when we coudl have something new that had more features.

But we'll see.

 

[kim929]

Water leaking beneath a freezer is usually related to moisture arising from a defrost cycle. Most fridges have a drain pan to collect the moisture, which just evaporates. If dust or bugs or whatever gets in the pan, it might cause it to overfill and leak as your describing. You might check your particular manual, but you might/should be able to pull the bottom kick plate/grill from the front, slide the pan out, and see if it is dirty or perhaps has a small leak that could be plugged with some duct tape or putty. Worth a shot, and a darned sight cheaper than calling out Sears.

It needed a new thermostat. I think it should of lasted more then a year

 

[Nancy F]

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy I have to buy all new appliances for my Condo In Margate NJ. We're getting everything from Sears. I've been shopping there since the 80s and never had a problem.
Nancy

 

[yoopermom]

I was cleaning out receipts, and found the one for my frig which turns out to be from 1998! I didn't think we had had it that long, but I really do think that things were made better "back when". Our washer and dryer are both from the 90s, and although just basic models still run great. I know that it's a trade off in efficiency, but I do have to wonder about the supposed "quality" of new appliances...

Terri

 

[Deb & Bill]

I agree about LG and Samsung. I just got a new HE Samsung washer online from Home Depot. I also bought my dryer online from Home Depot a few years ago (Maytag Bravo and it works very good). They delivered and set up for free and hauled off the old one for free. Plus I saved 10% on the washer because it was on sale. You schedule delivery on line and they notify you the day before of the time they will be coming. My delivery time was 9-11AM and they delivered at 9:15AM.

I never used HE before so it is a change, but my clothes appear to be very clean, it uses very little water, they dry quickly, the wash load is bigger than my older Kenmore that was an oversize agitator washer from ten or more years ago.

I worked at Sears when I was in HS many, many years ago and bought most of my appliances from Sears. Until I replaced my wall oven five years ago and the guy who installed it didn't know his head from a hole in the ground. I complained to Sears, then sent over someone else to reinstall it and it was done right. Sears is not the same Sears that I worked for in the 60's.

I do my research using Consumer Reports and user comments online.

 

[kelcoppens]

Sears is a hit or miss. Sometimes you can get lucky and get great service and a great appliance, and other times not so much. We got a lawn mower from Sears and they gave us a brand new mower with a DEAD battery in it. Yes we exchanged it without any cost but it was a serious annoyance! We are in the market for a new fridge and will be looking at Lowes first.

 

[teCh0010]

Gardenweb has an appliance forum and a kitchen forum that you may be able to get some feedback on specific units. I got a lot of good feedback related to the specific way people cook and what worked for them on there when I re-did my kitchen.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/appl/

 

[bettymae1121]

I do my best to find clearance, floor models, or "scratch n dent" appliances just for this reason. I paid $375 for a $800 front load washer about 18 months ago, it was a floor model at Sears. Only had a few minor scratches and it didn't come in a box or have an owner's manual, which I didn't care about (I got the manual online no problem). So far it's run great, but if it goes "kablooey" on me I'm only out $375 and not $800! It's a GE if anyone is interested.

I'll be looking for a new stove and refridgerator next, since I have time to look, I can keep watch for a great clearance item and just pounce when I find the right deal. Makes it easier when what you're replacing still works and you can really shop around. I got lucky with the washer, the old one broke and I just happened to find the floor model deal.

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

I buy my major appliances from Sears - never had a problem. I had a GE washer/dryer in my last house, from Home Depot because we were broke and it was cheap - and it was AWFUL - repair guy said his shop is full of GE because they make lousy appliances.

My general policy is to buy the mid-priced model of what I want, and it has worked out pretty well. I haven't had any major problems or repairs with any Kenmore I have bought. And my local Sears installation crews have always done a good job for me.

But I agree about reviews being a crapshoot. I have never found any that all go the same way, and then I always figure unhappy people are much more likely to comment than happy ones, so who knows how many happy people go one their merry way, enjoying their functioning appliances without telling anyone.

 

[Sadie22]

I think dissatisfied customers are much more likely to post online reviews than satisfied customers.

Sears Kenmore appliances are made by different manufacturers. You can determine the manufacturer from the model number on a plate usually located somewhere on the back of the appliance.

We use Consumer Reports recommendations. All of our most recent appliance purchases have been Kenmore. DH often performs installations himself. He redid the dryer installation after the Sears deliverpeople placed the appliance. We make sure to read the manuals and to perform required cleaning and maintenance.

 

[squirrel]

Do you have a scratch and dent place nearby?

Shortly after buying my house almost 8 years ago now I had to buy a new fridge. Since all the other appliances in the kitchen were black I ended up buying a black Maytag Fridge.

A few months later the fridge in the daycare broke and I bought a white (Sears model) fridge with the freezer on the bottom from a scratch and dent place. All the spots where the fridge's brand were removed so it's completely white without logos on it. Love the style with the freezer on the bottom and haven't had any problems with either fridge.

The white fridge cost me less than my black one with the freezer on top.

 

[crjack]

Honestly.....I don't think any brand is built to last anymore and I also think most use parts that are made overseas and not built with the same quality and longevity of the past.

We donated appliances that had lasted about 15 years when we remodeled our kitchen and we had a new fridge die just after 5 years and it was an expensive fridge.

Even the repair man said parts just aren't made as well as the used to be and they are used in every brand so higher end models aren't really lasting any longer than budget models.