ns wrote:
Hello all,
Posted here as recommended in another news group: Could you please share
with us/me (personal replies are welcome to , if you feel that
the group will not benefit), your experience in buying and using front-load
(as opposed to top-load with an agitator)?
Any comment is appreciated:
1. What make/s & model/s considered?
2. Where bought?
3. What machine was chosen? Make, model
4. User experience?
5. Need for care plan? (the extended warranty)
6. Any other tidbit/s, rebate/s, etc
7. Did the energy consumption agree with the label?
8. Typical got-ya in operating the washer (I'm familiar with the
sock-in-the-rubber-seal)
9. If you currently own one, and had some service/reliability issue/s,
please elaborate
My plan is to make the purchase within the next week or so, in order to take
advantage of the provincial PST rebate (OK, I just disclosed that I'm
located in Ontario 
)) ).
I've tried to use Consumers reports (last they reported was August 2003),
but found it to be very generic, not very informative, and no description of
how testing was done (what was the base line).
Thanks in advance to all who reply.
I have a Frigidaire (a.k.a Electrolux, Gibson, White, etc.) front-loader
and have had no problems with it. I got the one a mechanical timer switch
mounted on the back console, and electronic water temperature sensors that
control the mixing valve.
The only thing I don't like is the small door with the rubber seal that's
always in the way. And the door opens on the wrong side for my set-up.
These are minor nuisances though, not really problems. If the door were
reversable, the small port-hole with the rubber seal would be less bothersome.
I paid $650 for it a couple of years ago at Best Buy or Sears (I don't
remember which) and I got a $100 rebate from the power company.
I use regular detergent at 1/2 the recommended rate for most loads, and for
really filthy stuff I use either H.E. liquid detergent or a Purex tablet.
Best regards,
Bob