New Washer advice...repair old or buy new UPDATE POST 14

[zoo2tycoon]

OK I have a just under 3 year old Samsung front load washer. It started skipping the last 3 minutes of the spin cycle and making a terrible noise. Finally today A&E which is the Samsung authorized repair in my area came out (I won't go into detail about the creepy repair guy who was a donkey). Anyway his repair cost is $585.xx That includes a new stainless steel basket which he says is bent and is under warranty. The estimate includes another part and labor of $375... He honestly just ran the rinse cycle and didn't open the machine...but as I said that is another story and why I question his 'estimate'.

He gets mad because I won't authorize him to order parts...this is way more than what we thought. I need to discuss with the MR in the family.

So I can put almost $600 into a 3 year old machine and hope that is it...or I can buy new which seems the logical thing to do. I actually found a top load for $399 at Fry's Electronics.

I would get a second opinion BUT then I'd be into this machine for another $75 service fee....plus whatever they say is wrong.

So what washer do you have and pro and cons.....
I loved my machine until this issue.....
Plus it'd take 2 weeks to order parts and then set up service call again and they only come to my area once a week.....

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'd buy a new one.

I've found over the years that once repaired, it'll break down more often. At least mine have.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Wait, is the $375 included in the $585? No way would I spend nearly $1000 to fix a 3-yr-old washer when I can buy a brand-new one for a lot less.

We actually faced a similar decision last fall. Our 4-yr-old GE washer wouldn't spin fast enough to get the water out of the clothes. I called a local repair place that I've had good experience with and the guy checked it out and said it was the computer on the spin motor. It would have been $500 to fix it. I bought a new Maytag at Sears on clearance for $550. And then I bought an extended warranty through Square Trade.

Incidentally, I had a similar experience with the A&E repair guy who came to fix my Kenmore dishwasher last year. By the time that ordeal was over, I swore I'd never call Sears for repairs ever again. Horrible.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

No the $585 included the $375 labor ....
I thought labor was high!
Just not what I need after kitty had teeth cleaned for $750 on Monday (3 extractions)!!!
I'm looking at washers online now...and as with everything people LOVE or hate each washer.
Know about Square Trade and will buy a warranty through there as soon as I get a new one!

 

[tvguy]

I guess..........after looking at the Samsung Warranty page..........my first question is, why isn't everything covered by the warranty?
I think the repair person needs to earn their money, and I think they need to earn it from Samsung. I'd tell him if he can get Samsung to pay for it all, go ahead, otherwise you'll go elsewhere. An authorized repairperson can and should got to bat for their customers with the manufacturer.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would get a second opinion. Before making a decision. Since this guy got mad at you I certainly would not go with him. He got mad for a reason and its probably because he knows he is ripping you off and that you will get another opinion.

 

[Sadie22]

Once a machine makes a noise, don't use it again. That's the time to call the repairperson. Now that it is definitely broken and cost to repair is more than half the cost of a top machine, don't waste any more time. If Samsung will not repair or replace the old one under any sort of warranty, order the new machine you want and go from there.

The last time I researched new washing machines, Consumer Reports was pretty much saying that high-efficiency front loaders outperform top loaders. I bought a Kenmore Elite front loader to replace a top loader which went the same way your machine did -- DH tried to do one more load and broke it for good. We are very happy with the new machine and the matching dryer.

 

[Muushka]

I had the same thing happen to me last month. My 7 year old Fisher Paykel (I thought they were supposed to be a great machine!) had some problems. I called a service guy to get some info. Bottom line, without him even seeing the machine, he told me it would cost at a minimum $350 to repair (I did plead with him for a rough estimate because I did have a good idea what was wrong).

So he was supposed to come at 1 PM. I ran over to Lowe's and found a top loading Samsung that had been returned for $349 (it was $700). Hurried home and cancelled the repair man (oh, forgot to add that he would have to order parts and it would probably be several days until it was fixed). Got my new washer the next day, free delivery, installation and removal of dead washer.

Good luck!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Washer is almost 3 years old so everything out of warranty except the stainless basket (which is the most expensive part)...
To get a second opinion is investing another $75 to diagnose and the whatever they estimate is wrong with it....there is a definite problem with the machine
I did call a few non- Samsung places which could come give an estimate BUT if it is the same diagnosis they can't get the one part which would be under warranty for me----only a Samsung authorized service tech can get.

Think we might go look tonight and see if we can find a 'deal' on something. I miss my old Maytag top loader that I had for 15+ years that used tons of water but worked great! AND the 'handy husband' was able to fix....

 

[ellie05]

Op have you contacted samsung directly? We had a problem with our Tv it was just a couple of years old. I contacted samsung send the receipt and they send someone out to fix it. We didn't paid a cent and I was truly impressed with their costumer service.

 

[mistysue]

Have you googled whatever the problem is to see if it is something little people repair themselves?
If you know what he told you that you need, you may be able to order a part for the same cost he would. Then use a youtube video for instructions do the repair yourself.

 

[StephMK]

Our machine seems to be working fine but makes a horrendous noise during the final spin cycle. It really sounds like a jet is taking off in our laundry room. DH doesn't want to replace until it totally breaks because we had to replace the broken dryer last year. It's been over a year and it's still working, just loud.

Our new dryer is a Samsung and *knock on wood* has been great the year we've had it so far. We plan to get the matching washer when it's time.

If you have Best Buy in your area, they have listings online for returns/open box/slightly damaged machines. The online listings are not always accurate so don't get your hopes up until you go there in person but it's an option for a deal if you can find it.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

1. Did contact Samsung directly...again. Told them I didn't feel I should pay for a second opinion after the first experience. I got the someone will call you back within 48 hours...so fingers crossed there!
2. I think my husband is going to try and search and see if he can find what is out there on youtube.
Also we have a great local appliance place and he was going to go talk to them.

I did laundry today....just super loud and clothes not a 'dry' as they normally were after spin but it works to clean them!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Sears sent an email this morning that they are having 35% off Kenmore appliances. If this helps

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Thanks everyone....
Just went out and got a new washer...
HHGregg in Indiana was having sale....actually had them price match Lowe's. 24 months financing (already had the card). Lowe's was $300 cheaper than Gregg's. Delivered tomorrow.
$800 for a new one....BUT did cave and buy the extended 5 year warranty. After less than 3 years I have learned!

Since I think part of issue is I used too much detergent...was HE though. How much do you use and what is best one. Do you recommend liquid fabric softener or vinegar?

 

[kymom99]

First of all, I would definitely write a letter to Samsung telling them you were not impressed with the quality of their product or the service you got from their authorized repair service.

Secondly, I have only had a HE for about 6 months. I don't use much detergent because I am cheap and I buy whatever is on sale. I use liquid fabric softener on everything except dry-fit things. I use a dryer sheet for those, or nothing at all.

 

[Sadie22]

Thanks everyone....
Just went out and got a new washer...
HHGregg in Indiana was having sale....actually had them price match Lowe's. 24 months financing (already had the card). Lowe's was $300 cheaper than Gregg's. Delivered tomorrow.
$800 for a new one....BUT did cave and buy the extended 5 year warranty. After less than 3 years I have learned!

Since I think part of issue is I used too much detergent...was HE though. How much do you use and what is best one. Do you recommend liquid fabric softener or vinegar?

Wisk liquid and do not fill the dispenser. Use the cap. I use about half a cap per load. Not much cleans my DH's filthy clothes. I mean to say, it does not take much HE detergent to clean DH's clothes.

Too much detergent can cause a buildup on the outside of the drum which can result in the nasty odor some people get. Not allowing the seals and drum to dry out can cause odor as well. We keep the washer door open a bit after use.

No fabric softener at all.

For bad stains Stain Stick on the stain, sometimes a small amount of Oxy Clean powder in the drum.

 

[LJSquishy]

I would skip fabric softener altogether...it's just full of chemicals anyway. There is no real need for it. Just use a dryer sheet if you really need to. Vinegar works well, but I've read it can eat away at the tubes/gaskets/whatever inside the washing machine.

As for detergent, you can really use as much as you want. I use Tide powder (HE) and sometimes I do line 1, and other times line 3...it depends on my load size and what I'm washing. Detergent isn't going to ruin your machine. I am very faithful about running the tub clean cycle every 2-3 months with an Affresh tab in my LG HE front loader.

I'm really surprised you had an issue with your Samsung. Both Samsung and LG HE machines have a super low repair rate. I hope you enjoy your new one as much as you enjoyed your old one (up until now!). I adore my LG and it makes laundry fun even!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Wisk liquid and do not fill the dispenser. Use the cap. I use about half a cap per load. Not much cleans my DH's filthy clothes. I mean to say, it does not take much HE detergent to clean DH's clothes.

Too much detergent can cause a buildup on the outside of the drum which can result in the nasty odor some people get. Not allowing the seals and drum to dry out can cause odor as well. We keep the washer door open a bit after use.

No fabric softener at all.

For bad stains Stain Stick on the stain, sometimes a small amount of Oxy Clean powder in the drum.

I read about the Wisk being very high rated...I actually made a trip to Wal-mart. Bought that and a big think of vinegar to use in rinse cycle instead of fabric softener.
I did read too about 1 tablespoon is all you need and that you can get a build-up. So I also bought a liquid tablespoon measure shot glass type thing. I actually know my old machine does have build up because in rinse cycle and pure cycle (the 'cleaning one you do once a month') there are suds. Reading online that is a symptom of residue....

I loved my Samsung so I hope this works better....
THanks everyone!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Powder is the worst thing to use in a machine. IT does not dissolve and leaves a heavy residue not only in the machine but in your plumbing. Since the machine is using less water that means there is less water running through your plumbing and the powder does not get flushed out of the pipes.