Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site brl-tgr.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!zehntel!hplabs!hao!seismo!brl-tgr!wmartin From: wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Re: Washers and Dryers Message-ID: <3953@brl-tgr.ARPA> Date: Tue, 14-Aug-84 11:57:33 EDT Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.3953 Posted: Tue Aug 14 11:57:33 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Aug-84 02:02:18 EDT References: <308@hou2f.UUCP>, <212@cbosgd.UUCP> Organization: Ballistics Research Lab Lines: 82 I have been reading the series of comments from many contributors about the virtues of this or that brand, and I guess its time to jump in feet-first. It is sad to say, but I think it is a valid observation, that the evaluations of these appliances can best be summarized by "They don't make them like they used to." If you are basing your approval on the washer or dryer that served your parents or yourself well for the past two decades, or whatever other long period that began some years (over 10) ago, I fear that such data is inapplicable to the devices being produced today (with the possible exception of Maytag). For example, I used a GE electric dryer that had beloged to my GRANDparents for a decade or so; it was probably 15-20 years old when I got it. There was something wrong with the high-low heat selection, which could have been fixed if I had wanted to put money into the machine -- since it worked fine on one position, I never bothered. If finally failed, not from any electrical or motor defect, but because of metal fatigue of the dryer drum itself! (It cracked circularily around the attachment of the shaft in the center rear, allowing the drum to bind as it turned, since it sagged against the front panel.) Does this mean anything with regard to currently-produced GE dryers? Not a thing. That older device was built with heavy-duty parts, thicker-gauge steel, and better fasteners than the current product. I also had a Frigidaire washer, which I bought at a used-appliance outlet for $45, and which ran for about 15 years, with periodic replacement of a plastic agitator part which broke every few years and a rubber bellows which sealed the agitator to the tub. It died from what I believe was failure of the motor-starting capacitor, a part no longer available from Frigidaire service outlets and seemingly not available as a generic substitution (though I still have the washer in case I find one). Again, this older model is constructed with parts of far greater durability than current models. I replaced the GE dryer with a Norge model which had high Consumer Reports ratings. It had belt problems within the warranty period, and the motor died and had to be replaced soon after the warranty expired. (That motor was no more than half the size of the still- running GE motor from the old machine, and manufactured in such a manner that it could not be simply opened up and re-wound or repaired.) I replaced the Frigidaire washer with Maytag's bottom-of-the-line. I could have bought many different washers with loads of features for less, or no more than the Maytag cost. I (and my wife) see no reason for such "features"; they are just things to go wrong. If you can select water temperature, size of load, and have a "regular" and "permanent press" cycle, you do NOT need anything else. So, what do I recommend? If there is a good chance that you will move after a year or two (if you are a student, or change jobs frequently), buy a used older machine. Ideally, from a relative or friend who will tell you the history and let you know of any idiosyncracies (also, this is usually cheapest). Secondly, from an individual at a moving or estate sale. Thirdly, from a used-appliance dealer -- check out the older neighborhoods of big cities. You will probably have to work out some method of moving it yourself in the former two options, and that can be a hassle. But if it runs when you get it, it will probably run as long as you need it. You can then give it away, abandon it, or sell it at your own moving sale when you move. If you are moving into a house and plan to stay there, then buy a new machine. I honestly cannot recommend anything currently produced except Maytag. (However, don't believe those "lonely repairman" ads -- I called our local Maytag service center with a question for days before I caught a repairman actually there; SOMETHING was broken that they were out fixing!) A last comment -- I really would like to hear what negative comments anyone has about Maytag dishwashers. I sent in my disparaging remarks about GE dishwashers to the recent "appliance survey", and I had hoped that Maytags would be good, so I could plan on putting one in when our current GE finally dies. Now I see that all is not good news about Maytags. I don't know where else to look, now! Will Martin