To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Washers & Dryers Date: Fri, 26 Aug 88 11:41:38 EDT From: Susan Dart Below is a list of appliance brands and stores for washers and dryers. We finally bought with Sears since (a) they had a great sale (b) they did the installation of the gas dryer (c) we can get service anywhere in the US (d) we preferred the Sear's saleman over others. Note that Consumer Reports was helpful in making me aware of the issues and the history of brand names such as reliability. But it didn't really mention any of the version of items we bought. Susan Dart ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Wed, 27 Jul 88 17:36:00 EDT >> From: Marion.Kee@A.NL.CS.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> What do you intend to use it for? If you want "top-quality" because >> you have small children and do frequent, large loads, then that means a >> Maytag. If you want "top-quality" because you are a Yuppie ;-) or just >> want something that's reliable so you don't need to worry about >> repairs--but plan no extra-heavy use--then Whirlpool or an upper-level >> Kenmore should be just fine. >> >> We bought our refrigerator from The Applicance Store (it's a GE) and >> have been pretty happy dealing with them (we used the one on McKnight >> Road.) We also looked at a lot of washers and discussed them with >> several knowledgeable people, but put off buying one until next year. >> >> --Marion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 08:43:41 EDT >> From: Edward Zayas >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> Susan... >> >> Although I don't have any experience with Whirlpool appliances, I can tell you >> about the Sears Kenmore line. We've had various Kenmore appliances, from >> clothes washers and dryers (both portable and installed) to dish washers and >> refrigerators. They are pretty reliable machines, and we've had very little >> grief with them. We currently have a new Kenmore clothes washer (about 6 >> months old) and an ancient (1972) Kenmore clothes dryer. They both work fine, >> including the old-timer. We also tend to get service contracts on these >> things, more for ``insurance'' against buying a lemon. When we call the >> service people out for the yearly inspection and maintenance, they've been very >> competent and pleasant. >> >> I'd recommend getting the Kenmore line for their reliability and good service >> teams. As far as I can tell, they are below the median for pricing, especially >> if you're lucky enough to need one right around the time Sears is having a sale >> (as happened with our clothes washer). >> >> Whichever way you go, good luck in your purchase. >> >> Ed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 10:10:00 EDT >> From: Mary.Ann.Pike@PROOF.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> Sue, >> Tod and I have a set of Whirlpool's top of the line (near top, anyway) >> washer and dryer that we've had for about a year and a half, and we've >> been very happy with them. We spent a lot of time looking at different >> machines and stores when we bought them, and we found Whirlpool to be >> cheaper than Sears (I'm pretty sure), and the cheapest place to buy them >> is this all-purpose hardware/general store near South Park called >> "Daniels". No frills, but they do deliver, I'm not sure about servicing >> the machines if they break (I think they do that too). We've bought >> many of our major appliances there, and they've always had the best >> prices. Hope this helps. >> >> Mary Ann Pike >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 10:26:59 EDT >> From: Chuck Weinstock >> Subject: Advice on appliances? >> >> Susan, >> >> Check out consumer reports, but they always used to top rate Maytag >> washers and dryers. I had a set from about 1979 until last year and >> never ever had a problem with them. >> >> Chuck >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 10:13:00 EDT >> From: Charles.Krueger@ORCRIST.GANDALF.CS.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> Whatever you do, don't by Sears! They contract other companies (like >> Whirlpool) to make appliances for them, but the quality is *never* as >> good as the manufacturers name-brand lines. The emphasis is on good >> cosmetics and low wholesale costs (since there is an extra layer of >> middle-man). Typically Kenmore is junk. >> >> Whirlpool, on the other hand is one of the best. >> >> So your choice is clear. You can buy some of the worst, or some of the >> best. This is not a personal opinion, but rather was extracted from >> the universal truth that permeates all existence. >> >> --Charlie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 12:59:00 EDT >> From: Angela.Hickman@ML.RI.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> I bought GE from the Appliance Store and have loved them. -- Angela ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 13:41:04 EDT >> From: Ann Marks >> Subject: Re: Advice on appliances? >> >> Susan >> I have a Kenmore washer and dryer that I have had for 8 years. They >> have caused me very little trouble - the only time I needed to have the washer >> serviced was one New Hampshire winter when it was very cold - this affected the >> washer's belt which needed adjusting. Only thing to note is that I don't give >> them heavy use as my house hold consists of me and kitty (and kitty doesn't >> generate any laundry.) >> >> Ann Marks (annm@andrew.cmu.edu) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 88 08:27:04 EDT >> From: Donald.Schmitz@FAS.RI.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Washer/Dryer >> >> Susan, >> >> We bought a Whirlpool washer and dryer two years ago at the Appliance Store, >> with no problems so far. They get lots of use, at least for my family of >> two. >> >> One thing you might want to check, we got a good deal on the dryer >> by buying one on a clearance sale that was only available in a sort >> of gold/tan color. Its not the same color as the washer, but ours sits in >> the corner of the basement, so who notices? Also, the Appliance Store and >> Whirlpool are big on selling you service contracts for their appliances, >> which are generally a bad deal (Consumer Reports and my opinion). >> >> Good luck, >> Don ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Date: Wed, 27 Jul 88 19:33:26 EDT >> From: James.Anderson@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU >> Subject: Kenmore vs Whirlpool >> >> Either brand is pretty decent. The Whirlpool is slightly better for a given >> dollar amount. Drop me a line if you have problems. >> Jim