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Post by sleepymom on May 27, 2008 9:53:56 GMT -5
Had a repair guy out recently to track down why my washing machine is leaking all over the floor. The pump is going out, leaking onto the motor, and for a machine over 10 years old (at least, was here when we bought the house) its not worth repairing and/or the part isn`t available- he told me even if we could find a replacement pump, the repair charge would be around $300.
SO, I`ve been using it, since it still washes just fine even while leaking. I was told it will eventually short out the motor and just stop working and that could happen any time.
I`ve been looking around, so I can be ready to buy when that happens. I`ve heard so many good things about front loaders, but even the least expensive are at the top of my price range. I`m trying to figure out if a low-end front loader would be better than a mid-range top loader. Does anyone who has a front loader not love it? So far I`ve only been able to get opinions from people who have a really high-end ones, and from sales people. I`ve been reading reviews online til my head spins and still don`t have any idea what I`m doing. I`m hoping for a chance to get to the library and see if Consumer Reports has any good info, but until I do that, I was hoping some of you might be able to give advice. I don`t need a heap of special features or extra huge capacity, I run a load about every other day and my laundry is in the basement. I`ve been seeing lots of bad reviews on Whirlpool, my current one is GE and its worked fine for 10 years, but of course it`s a top-loader.
Thanks for any reviews or opinions!
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Post by artsygal on May 27, 2008 12:39:21 GMT -5
Hello sleepymom, I have a front loader Kenmore HE2, midline prize that I purchase 3 yrs ago. I love it, less water, more clothes to stuff, cleaner washing. That being said, I know that at least 3 yrs ago the cheaper front loaders had seal issues and some would leak. That might have changed. Top loaders or still good, you can soak your clothes etc, i found though with mine I don't need to soak unless i have a really big stain on an item and do that by hand if I need to. In my front loader I don't have to worry about snags or delicates because the central agitator is gone, I even wash my sheers in it. With all that , when I bought it at Sears the salesman was honest with me and basically said that any washers built now a days last about 10 -12 yrs. They're not built like the used to be. I did 4 months of research before I got mine. I'll look online at the lower price models as well for you since I learned so much in the past with my washing machine adventure, I know what to key issues to look for now! good luck! artsy ***just remembered if front loader consumer reports rated whirlpool and maytag NEPUTUNE (which is made by fridgedare )poorly, i think  ?(this is why i got confused  )*** also I'm not pushing you toward frontloading, it's that's what i know most about, I'm sure many other people here know about the top loaders  oh, i just looked at mine and it got horrible ratings, which it didn't before. i've had no problems |
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Post by onwardandupward on May 27, 2008 19:27:56 GMT -5
My sister has a front loader she loves, but she paid out the kazoo for it...over $1500 I think, which seems like a lot to me. I know she looked it up on Consumer Reports and bought one that was highly rated.
My only comment on front loader vs. not is that you need to consider your back. With the front loader, there is more bending, which can be more painful if you have back problems.
As for your current situation, I hope you are not at risk for electric shock from standing in the water while the machine is on. I am a worry wart about such things - the repair guy would probably have mentioned it if it was dangerous.
Onward
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Post by Raspberry Jam on May 27, 2008 20:26:12 GMT -5
My mother has a Kleenmaid front loader - her first after a life time of top loaders. She likes the way that she can easily wash large items such as doonas/duvets/comforters and feels that it is more gentle with washing than a top loader. The only complaint she has is the same as Onward has mentioned, she doesn't like all the extra bending. I am not sure how much it cost but I think it was fairly pricey. Good luck!
Raspberry Jam
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Post by paperpiler on May 27, 2008 20:41:11 GMT -5
I used to have a White-Westinghouse front loader. (Disclosure: I also worked for the company and used to work with the manufacturing plants). I know how GREAT a product that was. You might want to advertise and see if anyone wants to get rid of one. They hold up extremely well IF the front door is not rusting (because water settles in near the hinges and rusts the door panel if people don't just dry it off after a load--common problem). I had to sell mine when I moved, but I really didn't want to at all. Best appliance investment I ever made.
If you're going to buy a new one, do your research. The quality today runs the gamut, and the cost is outrageous compared to the cost of the old WW.
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Post by WestsideStory on May 27, 2008 23:59:37 GMT -5
Hi --
If you can at all afford it, I would suggest going for an Energy Star front loading machine which Consumer Reports recommends. Over the life of the machine, you will save a significant amount of money on your utilities by having a more energy-efficient and water-conserving machine. Also, some local utilities may give discounts/credits for purchasing Energy Star appliances. As for specific recommendations, sorry I can't add anything from my own experience -- I'm stuck with whatever the condo laundry company has put in. All I know is that the number crunchers here figured out that when our lease for these machines ran out, we'd save money by switching to front-loading machines.
WestsideStory
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Post by sleepymom on May 28, 2008 0:10:40 GMT -5
I think I`m sold, at least no one said they hate their front loader  I`ve seen several models at different places that are around $600, which, as my share of the stimulus payment (US), is what I`m allowed to spend- the spouse wanted to take the whole lot and "invest" in a big screen TV, um, right  I did ask the repair guy about possible danger from the motor shorting out, like fire, sparks, or shock, and he said all it will do is quit, most likely when I have a full, wet, load in. Something fun to look forward to. The only time I`m stepping in the wet with the machine on is when I`m loading it, and since I`ve been trying to let the motor dry out between loads to hopefully stretch its useful life, there isn`t much on the floor at the begining of the cycle. I`m hoping to buy enough time to go out and do some comparison shopping and get to the library to research specific brands once I know which machines I`m looking at. Thanks all! |
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