OT - Washers and Dryers ... have to buy new ones

[KerriMc]

Hello ... I need some help!

I have 12 year old washer and dryer. The washer leaks occasionally and the dryer is taking longer to dry. We haven't had many issues over the years - they are regular old Kenmore super capacity machines. We are moving though and figure this is as good a time as any to buy ourselves a new set. We are also going to be buying a fridge and stove though, so I am trying not to go all out (maybe just a little out!! lol).

So ... I've looked at our local Sears outlet (small place, but good selection) and liked the Kenmore Oasis which is top loading with no agitator. It holds a lot which is nice for King size stuff and big loads (think it is 4.7 cubic feet) and the dryer is 7.0 cub. ft. It is 1699 for the pair. Not too bad.

I have to admit I LOVED the LOOK of the front loading Kenmore Elite in royal blue, but I had to stop myself and not go just on colour! lol They were 2100 plus I had to buy the pedestals (an extra 400).

Went to Leons ... saw so many ... Maytag, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG (all front loaders) and a nice Whirlpool Cabio top loader similar to the above Kenmore Oasis, but about 400 more. Also saw a beautiful dark brown/gray Maytag on floor clearance for 2400 for the pair and they are higher so you don't need the pedestals (expensive!).

Anyways ... what do you have? Do you love it or like it or hate it??? Those damn pedestals are expensive aren't they??? But without them I'll be sitting on the floor doing laundry!

We are moving to a house where the laundry room is on the second floor so does that make a difference to the type of machine I should get? I saw Samsung has the vibration something or other feature ... is that good???

Any good websites for reviews of machines???

Sorry so many questions ... I didnt' think it would be hard to buy new machines but it is!!! Ahhhh ... and dh says 'whatever ones you pick - it doesn't matter' ... but ohhhhhhhhhhh it DOES matter!

Thank you!
Kerri

 

[irisesareblue]

We just bought a new Kenmore front load washer (without pedestals) last June and I am not "on the floor" doing laundry.... I know I'm pretty short (5 foot 2) but it's about the same height to open our front load washing machine as it is our front load dryer. I guess if you're tall, it might be a problem but IMHO you could buy the machines now and purchase the pedestals later if needed. As well, we found that after we bought the washing machine, we didn't need a new dryer after all because the new front load washers really remove a lot of water from the clothes and the clothes don't require as much drying time.

Personally, I paid about $700.00 for the new front load washing machine on sale. I haven't priced the dryer yet because my old one is still working fine. I won't replace it until I have to - my solution is to buy white appliances. Saves in the long run when you have to buy new ones - not so hard to find them in matching colors.

 

[KerriMc]

Lowe's has the "Samsung 4.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity with Stainless Steel Drum and 7.3 Cu. Ft. Steam Dryer" for $1996 including the pedestals. Is that a good deal? I think it sounds pretty good ... hmmm ... may have to take a little trip down to Barrie and have a look at them. I am starting to lean towards the front loaders.

 

[tone.def]

DO NOT BUY FROM SEARS!!!!!!

See my saga on another thread... OT - Sears.

 

[minnie56]

We bought the Samsung Front loading Washer and Dryer with peds a year+ ago in Navy Blue and I love love love them !!!! Amazing wash..use little water so save on the bills! Awesome..

 

[Nagle]

We bought the Whirlpool Duet washer & dryer. Less than 2 years old and we have had a couple of issues with the washer. We purchased the extended warranty from Leons. They were good to deal with, however Whirlpool has been lousy. Their customer service line is useless and we will NOT be buying Whirlpool again any time soon.

John

 

[irisesareblue]

I love my front loading washing machine - it uses less water and less detergent and clothes comes out less wet so they take less time to dry in the dryer so less energy usage in the long run.

I haven't had any problems with my Kenmore appliances and everything in my house is Kenmore except for my dishwasher, which is a Maytag. I had a Maytag washing machine and had problems with it after only a year and I got rid of it after a year and a half - I knew the repair guys' phone number off by heart and his wife says my Maytag helped put their youngest child through his first year of university....others I know haven't had problems, though.

 

[MaumeeMom]

We have the Cabrio and I love it. It does get musty though if you forget to leave the lid up when it is empty so I use the Tide washer cleaner every now and then and it is fine.

We've had them for about 2.5 years and I noticed a savings on both water & electric (they dry quick).

It is a tough decision - good luck!

 

[samsmainla]

I too am looking for new washer dryers, and am finding this pretty helpful! The only thing I will say about Sears outlet, is that their appliances are often returns or refurbs and have been used! I was shocked when I found this out. I would not buy someone elses problem machine at a price you will most likely be able to find on boxing week sales.

 

[luvdiz2]

Do a google search for stinky front load washers - very enlighting! I have Maytag front load - wouldn't buy again.

 

[Shir Kahn]

I used to work in the appliance department at Future Shop and I sold mainly Samsung and LG for front-loaders. For top loaders, I definitely recommend the Whirlpool Cabrios. The Samsungs are wonderful, but you may face some Samsung customer service issues if you end up having problems, as they are fairly new to the North American market. They've been doing the appliance thing for about 37 years now, but only about 6 or 7 years in NA. LG is very good as well, however they seem to be more susceptible to the mildew problem that front-loaders can have if you don't maintain them. LG has the best manufacturer warranty by far over any other brand that I've seen. I don't work for Future Shop any more, so I really have no incentive to push the extended warranty, but I definitely recommend it. If you look in your phone book, you'll notice that there are pages and pages of appliance repair shops, all of which are kept pretty busy. Chances are good that you won't have a problem with your new appliance, but if you do, the warranty is a life-saver.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

We just bought a pair of Kenmore upright washer/dryers last week. We got a great deal at Sears, and delivery was included in the price. We bought the pedistals as I have a bad back, and it doesn't like to bend over alot. Am very impressed with it, as it uses alot less water, the clothes seem to come out alot cleaner, and they are drier when the washer is done.

 

[shoppgirl]

Lowe's has the "Samsung 4.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity with Stainless Steel Drum and 7.3 Cu. Ft. Steam Dryer" for $1996 including the pedestals. Is that a good deal? I think it sounds pretty good ... hmmm ... may have to take a little trip down to Barrie and have a look at them. I am starting to lean towards the front loaders.

We just ran out to Loews last night to order this exact same set! My husband did tons of research on the machines and this was the best value. The free pedestals sealed the deal for us. The set is so popular, they are backordered 7 sets and it will take a couple of weeks for us to get it. The sale ends tomorrow I believe ($1996). The machines use steam which I believe is excellent (even the dryer needs water access for steam which is good for steaming clothing, pillows, stuffed animals without dumping them in water, sterilizing etc). Whatever you do, research before you buy. It's good to go to the store well informed so that you can ask them the right questions and you understand the features they are describing to you.

 

[Shir Kahn]

Steam in the washer is good for removing stains, steam in the dryer is good for reducing wrinkles and the need to iron.

 

[Valjean13]

I have an LG front loader (not steam, just regular), and so do quite a few of my friends and family. Everyone loves it. We didn't get the pedestal, but I don't find it inconvenient. The stain cycle on the LG works great, so far everything has come out - including oil, grease, even a huge amount of foundation cream make-up smeared on white pants (that one did take 3 washes!).

 

[dancin Disney style]

DO NOT BUY FROM SEARS!!!!!!

See my saga on another thread... OT - Sears.

I've also had a major problem with Sears. To put it in a nutshell.....I bought a new dryer from them...it didn't work properly and we called for repair twice...they didn't fix it and I ended up getting my own guy in....who fixed it for $65 and told me that "Sears are monkeys". The issue was completely the fault of Sears and my repair guy even tried to get them to replace the machine. I think he called 3 different people and they refuse to step up and admit fault. My dryer is now 2 years old I'll be lucky if it lasts 2 more.

 

[KerriMc]

I went out in the madness today to our local Future Shop and bought the Samsung front loaders that were on for $1199. I did decide to buy the pedestals as I like the idea of them being up higher. With the good price I figured they were worth the value

Thanks for everyone's help with making up my mind about the brand I would get !!

Now to find a fridge and stove ...

Kerri

 

[Vivig]

We also purchased the FS $1199.00 Samsung set today. OUr washer has lasted over 25 years. My hubby had it in his condo before we were married and we dragged it here from Montreal 15 years ago and it is still working well...so I am a little scared that this set won't last very long..but I have read many reviews and this seems to be a very good choice. They kept mentionning that this was a smokin' good deal! Thanks for all the posts they were very helpful!

 

[dancin Disney style]

We went a little crazy yesterday and bought a, way too big, TV and a Wii anyway...we will be needing a new washer very soon as ours is leaking transmission fluid and the repair guy said to use it until it dies. I was looking at the Samsung set at Future shop that is on sale for 799 for the pair...any comments on that one????

 

[KerriMc]

I so wanted to buy one of those "way too big" tvs too! I know my dh wouldn't have minded Unfortunately with us moving into a new house in less than a month, the tv isn't the priority ... lol. We need a new washer as mine is leaking, plus our laundry is on the second floor so that is why we chose the Samsungs as they don't vibrate. I asked about the smaller set that is on sale too and she said they don't have the technology for the vibration and they are also on the traditional belt style (?). I don't know if that is right or not, but the ones we bought are the new technology. Does that make any sense?? lol

Anyways, I was happy with the ones we got as they were on sale at Lowes for 1996, including pedestals. These ones were 1199 plus the pedestals, so 1597 total which I think is a good deal