Need Opinions PTers... please!

[ramanth]

My parents have had the Maytag frontloaders for a few years now and have been happy with them.

[columbine]

Supposedly front loaders are less prone to breakdowns.

[Lizzie]

I have had a Bosch front-loader for three years. It takes cat-pee stained rugs, cashmere sweaters, and everything in between and cleans them well.

[caseysmom]

My front loader maytag needed a $400 repair after only 3 years but I think they are a lot better now. I would probably go with whirlpool or kenmore, I have heard better things about them.

No problem with the cleaning though they do fine and I buy the sears he detergent its way cheaper than tide and does a fine job. I love being able to throw hand washables in there.

[Catlady711]

I'm in a good position to understand this.

My 9 year old top loading Kenmore 80 series bought from Sears just died last Friday (dryer was a 70 series bought at same time and it runs fine).

Upon looking underneath and inside it we discovered that the coupling that connects the motor to the gears/tranny broke. It was only made of PLASTIC and rubber!!! Looking online this seems to be a COMMON problem with newer Kenmore's. I can't believe they'd use plastic to connect two major parts. We looked online and the part is not available anymore. We debated on having ours serviced by Sears (not under warantee anymore) and they said it was $60 to have a repair man come out for an estimate, but if we decided not to let him fix it he would give us a coupon for that $60 towards the purchase of a new one at Sears.

After much discussion hubby and I decieded since the part isn't available anymore, we don't know what else may have broke also (the thing finished it's cycle broken) and since they just don't make 'em like they used to; we figured we were better off buying a new one than fixing this one.

We went to several stores to get an idea of what was available nowadays and somewhere for a starting point to research them. I looked online for reviews and found it to be VERY frustrating. ALL of the washers in my price range ($350-$500) had very few reviews and ALL the 3 name brands of ones I'd already checked out in the stores (GE, Maytag, Whirlpool) had similar complaints as you are finding.

My personal conclusions are:

1) It doesn't matter WHAT name brand washer you buy anymore. Whirlpool, Maytag and Kenmore are all owned by the SAME company and manufactured in smaller bought out companies. None of which have the older quality standards for workmanship and durability. Just pick the one that is in the price range and features you need and hope for the best. Buy from Sears or other reputable place that services what it sells and buy the extended warrantee (I normally NEVER buy those things). Have them do the installation when they deliver so they can't say you did anything wrong and then don't honor the warrantee contract.

2) ALL of the 3 companies I looked up had very similar customer service problems, none of the manufacturers want to deal with you.

3) ALL modern washers are regulated to be more energy efficient. In the case of top loading washers this means lowered wash water temps (meaning hot water isn't hot enough to kill dust mites), shorter cycles, and less aggitation/spin speeds. While this may save energy it does make it so you have to put less clothes in a load at a time to get them properly agitated and cleaned. (I'm well known for overloading my washer)

4) It's darn near IMPOSSIBLE to compare one particular machine against another, or even the same model at one store against another store. Apparently the manufacturers make a slightly different model # for EACH store that sells them. You may see a model #3456A at Lowes, and see an almost exact one at Sears but it's called #3457B instead. *sigh*

5) Front load models are supposed to be less prone to breakdowns but will cost ALOT more to have serviced when they do break. They do use less water and enengy but from what I've read requires using a special detergent. Front loaders are more inconvienent to use, bending over. (I can't have a front loader because it's in the basement where the floor always seeps water and can't have clean clothes falling in that everytime I open the door) Front loaders doors LOCK when in cycle so you can't add a sock or shirt after the cycle has started like you can with a top loader. If a front loader breaks down it may lock the door holding your clothes hostage until the repair man sets them free (saw this on a few reviews). The cost of a front loader is WAY more than a top loader, jury is still out as to whether they actually last longer than a top loader.

6) Top loading washers with the electronic door sensors are prone to do weird things (saw this on several reviews) from starting when the lid is open to starting by themselves when you bump the washer.

Anyways we ended up buying THIS one from Sears. Actually that's not the exact one we're getting because I can't find a single website that has the actual models the stores are actually selling! *frustrated sigh* But this one is very similar. I did buy the 5 year warrantee that coveres parts/labor and a once a year service maint call no charge for only $149. It doesn't have the old fashioned pin that goes in the hole to indicate that the lid is closed (this one has a switch in the back triggered by the lid) but it does NOT have the electronic sensor and has normal dial type controls not the electronic touch pads (which I read some not nice stuff about).

The Kenmore dryer has never given us any problems in the 9 years we've had it other than you can't dry shoes in it (long other story).

The new washer is supposed to be delivered this Tuesday. We have a TON of laundry that piled up since the old one broke so the new one will get a good test break in period. I can update anyone on the results compared to the old Kenmore if anyone is actually interested.

[kitten645]

I ALWAYS go by Consumer Reports for this type of info. They have the resources to check out every angle. You can go online for a small fee and look it up. For large purchases like this, I always check them out. Haven't steered me wrong so far!
Claudia

[Jessika]

Now I'm not sure or anything, maybe it's just my in-law's front loaders, but it seems that since hubby and I are staying with them, all of my clothes are getting torn up. =/ The last three days I've worn shirts that have mysterious holes torn in them, and I can't think of any other way it's happened besides the washer and dryer process. Now this could be a fluke thing, but hubby and I have NOT changed our washing habits besides the actual washer and dryer. The only difference is their's are front loading.

I'm actually sorely disappointed because my $100 Cardinals jersey is now ruined.

EDIT: And on another note of front-loaders, both my in-laws AND my parents now own front loaders, and I have not heard anything about having to use a "special detergent". I believe both families use the same detergent as they have in the past.