Which washer to choose??

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Author Message   Liz Citizen Username: Mschiquita Post Number: 48 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 9:39 am:        Hello - we have finally admitted we have to go in for the new washer (dryer too) - what do you use? what do you recommend? We are leaning toward Whirlpool, but there are so many options, and reviews online are contradictory!! Our household includes 5 adults (ages 30's-70's) and 1 16 month old. We need to wash clothes, sheets and the occasional comforter - big needs are thorough cleaning and not too much noise. Also controls must be easy to use due to my mom's arthritis. Toploader a must for this reason as well. Thanks in advance!!   Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 105 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 10:07 am:        I have had a Maytag for around twenty years with only one service call. What they say in the ads is true--they do last forever.   Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 1:16 pm:        Look on http://www.epinions.com/   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 234 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 10:58 pm:        We have a Fisher and Paykel model 11. It is the largest, most energy efficient toploading washer you can buy for under $650. Fisher and Paykel is a 45 year old company originating in New Zealand now with US headquarters too. It was rated up there with the $1500 Kenmore Elite and is just as energy efficient too. The company has a very good track record and if something does go wrong, there are numerous authorized repairmen around for warranty work. The machine is ultra quiet and will pay for itself in 3 to 5 years in energy savings. Controls are electronic and it automatically sets the water level to the amount of clothes put in the machine. Does a good job cleaning the clothes too! We use ours almost non-stop. Karl's Appliances sells them.   Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 177 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 7:51 am:        Last time I bought one I consulted the Consumer Reports guide. I was looking for an "over/under" to fit in a closet. Learned some really good info on the different types, and ended up buying the Sears Kenmore in the particular category as it had all the features and maintenance characteristics of the name brand, but cost about 1/3 less. Really, I'd look at the CR guide.   1-2many Citizen Username: Wbg69 Post Number: 603 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 12:00 pm:        CR is our bible for new appliances (and for lots of other stuff too, actually). I bought one of the new "calypso" machines - can get either Kenmore or, I think, Whirlpool. I love mine, but it is fairly pricey, at $1100 or so. CR offers "best buy" choices at multiple price points. and, they're pretty straightforward, telling you upfront that all washers get the clothes virtually equally clean, and their most highly recommended model is (if memory serves) around $350. you can check it out at consumerreports.org or buy the annual buying guide (2004 just came out - private line me if you want my 2003) or the monthly magazine. yes, I subscribe.   gemini Citizen Username: Gemini Post Number: 220 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 3:25 pm:        You also have to think about front vs. top loader. The front loader is supposed to be much more efficient and effective. However, I always "add to the load" so a top loader does it for me (you cannot add to a front loader during mid-cycle). ALso, you cannot soak in a front loader.   bpaandco Citizen Username: Bpaandco Post Number: 51 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 8:38 pm:        Most of Kenmore's are made by whirlpool, which I do not recommend. I bought new whirlpool w/d, and am not particularly happy with them. I bought on the lower end of the price scale, but a washer should wash, not mangle, which is what my washer does every 20 loads or so. I even wrote Whirlpool about it, but to no avail. They didn't even have the curtesey of replying.   C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1612 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 8:48 pm:        We've had our Kenmore washer for nearly 15 years with no trouble at all. Still going strong. We bought on sale at mid to lower price range. I believe it was a Consumer Reports "Best Buy" at the time. (But that could have been its companion, the dryer.) Cathy   Liz Citizen Username: Mschiquita Post Number: 51 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 10:41 pm:        So I see I need to get a CR guide, pronto! I certainly used it for my kitchen 5 years ago and have been thrilled with my CR BB top-rated gas stove.. Shame that there have been challenges with Whirlpool...it's good to know, although I am sorry to hear it. I have read up on the Calypso at epinions (thanks Sylad) and some folks have had serious issues with it! Also, we definitely need the top loader, and are very interested in energy efficiency and QUIET - perhaps I need to check out that Fisher and Paykel brand.. Is Karl's the best place to go in the area? Do they install? thread drift: is it difficult to change over from electic dryer to gas????   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3856 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 7:49 am:        Tourne rally surprised me! I was sure that he/she was going to reccomend the new front loaders that use much less water than conventional washers. Even the predictable aren't always predictable.   doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 357 Registered: 3-2003 Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:16 am:        Karl's is very good. Once you've decided what you want, ask Karl's what's their best price. They're very easy to work with. As I recall, they don't even charge for delivery, and their installers are great. In you purchase from their store in Orange, you also save 3% on the sales tax since it's in an Urban Enterprise Zone.   1-2many Citizen Username: Wbg69 Post Number: 605 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 10:30 am:        wow - I have checked out epinions and there certainly are some horror stories! and at this (or any, really) price point I agree, that's just not acceptable. when I bought the Calypso it was a brand new design, so we anticipated a question-mark factor. but, in truth, we have been very happy with ours. I just checked CR's site and it is the number 1 rated washer (ahead of the Whirlpool version, which is #2, but ranked higher on epinions). it is very gentle on clothes. I wash a lot of silks instead of dry-cleaning, so figure it's big savings. I think the only other way to get a washer that's so gentle is to go with a front-loader. btw, they also sell stacking-block-type things to mount front-loaders on, so you don't have to bend so much to use them. CR's sole best buy is a Kenmore front loader, and the recommended top-loader picks are 2 Kenmores and a Hotpoint. I have to disagree with any characterization of Kenmore's as being problematic; in my experience they last forever and are quite durable. CR also lists repair history for various brands of not just washers, but everything. looking at their "repair history" chart for top-loaders, I see Kenmore listed as being 5th out of 8 listed (1st best out of 3 for front-loaders), just behind Maytag, ranked at #4. #s 1, 2 and 3 are Roper, Frigidaire and Whirlpool, respectively. I would also have to say, though, that if I had to do over again, for this price you can get an outstanding front loader, which is more energy and water efficient, and thus that's they way I would probably go. just more factors to add in to the mix! CR is not the be-all - certainly actual consumer opinion is very important, too, imho. but I do rely on their testing and multi-brand experience.   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 235 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 9:59 pm:        Take note that the Fisher and Paykel uses much less water than any other top loader. It has one of the highest Energy Star Ratings, right up there with Kenmore's front loading models, at half the price. It was rated third, and on par with the Calypso by CR last year. It also has a relatively fast regular wash cycle and super fast spin speed. Kenmore's are very reliable long lasting machines. But keep in mind that the energy efficiency standards are going up in a couple of years and their expense is not warranted. From an energy standpoint, it doesn't make sense any more to keep a machine for 15 or 20 years. It is like throwing money(energy) down the drain.   Liz Citizen Username: Mschiquita Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 11:15 pm:        Love the idea of the stackers for the front loaders...that might be very helpful.. The energy issue certainly is something to consider, I am getting the picture now that they energy efficient machines do pay for themselves over time, true?... And I totally agree that CR is great, and that actual user feedback is awesome, combined they make one feel very well-informed, which I am starting to feel! Does Karl's have a good amount of floor models to check out?   Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 8:47 am:        Karl's is hit or miss as to what is on the floor, but they can get you anything you want. So if you see something anywhere else just tell them to order it. Ask for John at the Karl's in West Orange. He is great.   wharfrat Citizen Username: Wharfrat Post Number: 850 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 11:56 am:        ...or go to the Karl's on passaic Ave. in Fairfield. They have a room with floor models, often at 30% discounts. Even with no guarantee that you can get a floor model discount, it's not a wasted trip.   Liz Citizen Username: Mschiquita Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 11:59 pm:        will do! thanks all! Liz   Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1124 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 8:36 am:        I like epinions.com but just a little bit. Those are anecdotes that people voluntarily submit. They are not a statistical sampling NOR are they scientific tests, as CR aims to do. One person's bad experience, reported on epinions.com, which could be because of a rare defect or incorrect use, could skew your view of a product. We bought a front loader washer for about $650 at Sears in Livingston in July. Front-loaders cost more than top loaders, but we hope that we will get our money back from its efficiency. Even if we don't, it soothes our leftist leanings for lower resource use and pollution effects. The salesman was a man in his 70's who really knew his stuff, and he was very helpful. He tried to sell us the next model up, which wasn't much more money. It had a digital controller, and I decided I wanted one with old fashioned knobs, because that seemed more reliable. That's pretty funny because I'm a computer geek by trade. He pointed out that these electronics, such as in our microwaves, really are reliable. I decided to get the lower model not because of reliability or nostalgia but because of price. We're happy with the machine. It runs very quietly, though it seems a bit slower than a top loader. He offered us a no-interest Sears Mastercard for a year. I took the offer, and I'm making twelve equal payments, so the machine will be paid off in a year with no interest. I've heard Sears is ditching their Mastercard, so this may not be available any more. Tom Reingold There is nothing   botulismo Citizen Username: Botulismo Post Number: 105 Registered: 7-2001 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 9:04 am:        Kenmore front loader. More energy and water efficient, less soap used and clothes come out a lot drier than a top loader. You also end up saving mucho energy on the drying side. Kenmore also has a very good reliability rating. ...and front loaders are mucho quiet.   1-2many Citizen Username: Wbg69 Post Number: 629 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 9:46 am:        and speaking of the Sears financing: we use this method for nearly every large purchase we make. why NOT take 0% interest and pay over time, and let your money stay where it is, earning as long as possible? doesn't seem to have much snob appeal to ask for the financing, but you save by retaining your interest-bearing cash. I honestly don't understand why EVERYONE doesn't do this.   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 239 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 9:58 am:        Be sure to check out the capacity of the front load model you choose. I think that except for the $1000 plus models at kenmore, the cheaper front loaders are much smaller in size.   Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1131 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 10:21 am:        There's a bit of discussion about this in the recent columns on Andrew Tobias's web site. Tobias is a financial advisor, author of a few terrific financial advice books. His columns often stray from finance and into politics. Anyway, some people take big loans with with the 0% interest, buy CD's or other investments, and make money on the deal. You have to be careful, because if you miss a single payment, you pay hefty fees, and your interest rate shoots upward. If you're careful, you can use the offers to your advantage. As a result of doing so, I now get tons of introductory offers with very large lines of credit. I turn most down. I just don't need or want to borrow that much money. Tom Reingold There is nothing   1-2many Citizen Username: Wbg69 Post Number: 630 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 10:55 am:        you're right, you DO have to be careful. this arrangement is NOT for those who are not 100% with getting bills paid on time. you also have to take care to close each of these accounts once paid, otherwise they are usually huge credit lines that hang out there on your credit report. more than 1 or 2 of these large credit lines hurts your credit score. for those who don't often need or use credit, that'll only hurt once in a great while, but when it does, it's on a biggie, like a refi.   sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 725 Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 11:21 am:        If you want to take advantage of the low rate but sometimes are a little late with your payments you might want to consider an automatic withdrawl from your bank account.   sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 726 Registered: 10-2001 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 11:25 am:        FWIW, we purchased a steam vac from sears in livingston and our sales person was an elderly woman (I think named millie). She was without a doubt the most knowledgeable sales woman I had ever encountered at a large chain. She knew her stuff. Steered us away from a pricier model with gadgets that didn't work as well as purported. I don't see her around anymore, hopefully she hasn't been let go to make way for some young kid who barely knows how to switch the appliance on.   Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1134 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 11:35 am:        Hmm. Maybe Sears is onto something: training their sales staff! Wow, what a concept. I bought a vacuum cleaner at the Sears on Rt 22 in Watchung (is that Watchung?). The salesman was about 22 years old, but he was helpful and knowledgeable. He was also enthusiastic about the products! I notice the clothes at Sears aren't schlocky any more, either! The guy in his 70's who sold us the washer told us about his relationship with his kids. He also told us about his late wife. His story was very heartwarming and bittersweet. Tom Reingold There is nothing