"Kim" wrote

CR rated Sears (Kenmore) at the top when I purchased mine but I had
problems, a bad motor being one of them, just few days after warranty.

Things like this happen with any brand. Whirlpool makes most of Sear's
laundry products and they are fine. Most of the parts in these machines are
purchased by the manufacturer and installed. Motors are mostly GE & Emerson
and there may be others now, it doesn't matter what brand it is in many
cases they all get their parts from the same suppliers.

Personally I stay away from Kenmore and Frigidaire. Manufactures used to
make machines that last well over 25 years but now you're lucky if it last
more than 7.

I pretty much stay with Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, and Amana products. I've had
good luck. It's true that some people have appliances that last 20 or 30
years but they are in the minority and always were, average life was never
that high.

I agree that appliances aren't what they were but in many ways they have
been improved while keeping the cost down. Don't forget, people build these
machines and they don't earn what they did 25 years ago and benefit packages
have also increased in cost to the manufacturers.

I posted in this thread about a Whirlpool washer for under $300, 25 years
ago I doubt if you could have purchased a Whirlpool washer for this price,
especially one with the same features.