I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this exercise in the past couple of
years and has any comments to make on brands or features to consider or
avoid? For example, the kid at Sears made it sound like stainless steel
drums in the washer is an advantage. I see some dryers have a "steam"
option that supposedly takes wrinkles out of clothes. Doesn't sound
like a feature I'd use much. I notice that most washers, except the
very cheapest models, lack the tall center agitator. Not sure what
that's all about, but I assume they clean as well as the old style. I
read some comments saying that GE washers make a lot of noise and LG
are not very reliable.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

Go to your local public library and get Consumer's Reports. They are not perfect, but a good place to start.

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 7:55:24 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Go to your local public library and get Consumer's Reports. They are not perfect, but a good place to start.

ditto

consumer reports to start

marc

In article ,
Nil wrote:

I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.


Speed Queen still makes models with mechanical controls. It looks like
their base model washer starts around $850 so it's not too far off of
your target price.

On 7/20/2016 5:50 PM, Nil wrote:

Put new rollers in ur dryer and run it another 10 years. I got a
Frigidaire front loading washing machine 10 maybe 12 years ago and it's
been good to me, doesn't use a bunch of water and the clothes get really
clean.
Bonus answer,:.... -------- Tide or Gain for the detergent.

On 20 Jul 2016, wrote in alt.home.repair:

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 7:55:24 PM UTC-7,
wrote:
Go to your local public library and get Consumer's Reports. They
are not perfect, but a good place to start.

ditto

consumer reports to start

That's a good idea and I will do it. But I would still like to hear
anybody's personal opinion or experience.

Anything you get is not going to be as good as one you had!!!
Note: stay way from Energy savers!!!

"Nil" wrote in message ...

I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this exercise in the past couple of
years and has any comments to make on brands or features to consider or
avoid? For example, the kid at Sears made it sound like stainless steel
drums in the washer is an advantage. I see some dryers have a "steam"
option that supposedly takes wrinkles out of clothes. Doesn't sound
like a feature I'd use much. I notice that most washers, except the
very cheapest models, lack the tall center agitator. Not sure what
that's all about, but I assume they clean as well as the old style. I
read some comments saying that GE washers make a lot of noise and LG
are not very reliable.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

one thing i would do differently [next time]

i bought a washer with too small capacity, for me
[i like to run larger loads, instead of [more] smaller loads]

marc

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 6:50:13 PM UTC-4, Nil wrote:
I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this exercise in the past couple of
years and has any comments to make on brands or features to consider or
avoid? For example, the kid at Sears made it sound like stainless steel
drums in the washer is an advantage. I see some dryers have a "steam"
option that supposedly takes wrinkles out of clothes. Doesn't sound
like a feature I'd use much. I notice that most washers, except the
very cheapest models, lack the tall center agitator. Not sure what
that's all about, but I assume they clean as well as the old style. I
read some comments saying that GE washers make a lot of noise and LG
are not very reliable.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

Speed Queen. I had Speed Queen washer/dryer for 17 years, then
foolishly replaced it with a front-loader and a new gas dryer.
The front-load washer was a pain; something on it died prematurely
and we didn't want to start swapping out $200 components to figure
out which one it was.

We now have a Speed Queen washer and dryer again. There was nothing
wrong with the gas dryer, but we moved the laundry from basement
to... a location where carbon monoxide could potentially be
drawn into our HVAC ducting, so we went with electric.

You might have to search for a dealer in your area; it's not often
carried by the big-box stores.

Cindy Hamilton

On 21 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote
in alt.home.repair:

You might have to search for a dealer in your area; it's not often
carried by the big-box stores.

I did a quick check and the only Speed Queen dealers in the area are a
few small mom&pop appliance stores, none of which are convenient to get
to. I would like to check them out, but may not have a good
opportunity.

On 7/21/2016 7:19 PM, Nil wrote:
On 21 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote
in alt.home.repair:

You might have to search for a dealer in your area; it's not often
carried by the big-box stores.

I did a quick check and the only Speed Queen dealers in the area are a
few small mom&pop appliance stores, none of which are convenient to get
to. I would like to check them out, but may not have a good
opportunity.


What is wrong with mom and pop shops? Many are price competitive and
offer better service than the big box stores. You are buying something
that you may have for the next 20 years and don't want to invest an
extra hour or so?

On 21 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in
alt.home.repair:

What is wrong with mom and pop shops? Many are price competitive
and offer better service than the big box stores. You are buying
something that you may have for the next 20 years and don't want
to invest an extra hour or so?

I don't believe I said or implied there is anything wrong with mom and
pop stores. Am I mistaken about that?

I can't invest much of what I haven't got much of, which is time.

On Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 10:38:03 PM UTC-4, Nil wrote:
On 21 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in
alt.home.repair:

What is wrong with mom and pop shops? Many are price competitive
and offer better service than the big box stores. You are buying
something that you may have for the next 20 years and don't want
to invest an extra hour or so?

I don't believe I said or implied there is anything wrong with mom and
pop stores. Am I mistaken about that?

I can't invest much of what I haven't got much of, which is time.

look at it this way, invest the time NOW in shopping..........

or invest it later, calling to get service, waiting for tech to arrive, waiting while the tech checks things out, only to declare will order parts, dont have them with me........


then wait again when the parts arrive, for the tech to come back out, and install parts.

invest a couple hours shopping now, or perhaps 10 hours service time later.......

the choice is yours.

On Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 7:19:49 PM UTC-4, Nil wrote:
On 21 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote
in alt.home.repair:

You might have to search for a dealer in your area; it's not often
carried by the big-box stores.

I did a quick check and the only Speed Queen dealers in the area are a
few small mom&pop appliance stores, none of which are convenient to get
to. I would like to check them out, but may not have a good
opportunity.

We bought from one 20 miles away, over the telephone. They delivered.

Cindy Hamilton

On 7/21/2016 10:38 PM, Nil wrote:
On 21 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in
alt.home.repair:

What is wrong with mom and pop shops? Many are price competitive
and offer better service than the big box stores. You are buying
something that you may have for the next 20 years and don't want
to invest an extra hour or so?

I don't believe I said or implied there is anything wrong with mom and
pop stores. Am I mistaken about that?

I can't invest much of what I haven't got much of, which is time.


OK, your choice. Pay me now or pay me later?

1. Buy what is on sale at the closest big box store.
2. Repeat as needed.

On 22 Jul 2016, bob haller wrote in
alt.home.repair:

look at it this way, invest the time NOW in shopping..........

I thought it was obvious, but apparantly not, so I'll say it in other
words: That's exactly what I'm doing, including asking for advice here.

or invest it later,

On 22 Jul 2016, Ed Pawlowski wrote in
alt.home.repair:

OK, your choice. Pay me now or pay me later?

1. Buy what is on sale at the closest big box store.
2. Repeat as needed.

Those are not the only choices.

My immediate choice is to not be in a hurry to drive several hours to
look at Speed Queens.

On 22 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote
in alt.home.repair:

We bought from one 20 miles away, over the telephone. They
delivered.

That's a good thought. I suppose there's not much to be gained by
actually seeing an appliance like that, since the specs are all
available online. I don't much care what it looks like.

On 7/20/16 5:50 PM, Nil wrote:
I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

Some cut.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

Check Amazon.

"Nil" wrote in message ...
On 22 Jul 2016, Cindy Hamilton wrote
in alt.home.repair:

We bought from one 20 miles away, over the telephone. They
delivered.

That's a good thought. I suppose there's not much to be gained by
actually seeing an appliance like that, since the specs are all
available online. I don't much care what it looks like.

Nil,

If you like your 36 yr old, you might check to see what it would cost to refurbish it. I bought a GE washer 1994 that was great -- regular agitator (some don't have them now), water returns to the tub into the center filter which removed the link, drain flow was standard at the time (slow enough for the existing old standpipe.) Also had the minibasket which wife liked.

Around 2008 it developed a leak in a transmission seal. Cost to repair including labor would have been $200-300. New GE washer was around $400-500 so went with the new one.

Have never be happy with new washer. Does not clean well, super high and noisy spin, shakes the house, twists and wrinkles clothes, no lint filter, on and on.... Wife liked the stylish look, color and the fact it had buttons instead of knobs so we kept it. Got worse and worse. Now

Buttons means circuit boards and connections.... not good on a mechanical item that shakes like crazy. Mechanical parts are easy to replace and a lot more sturdy and cheaper than electronics.

Long story.....

I still have the old washer in the garage, but the transmission is no longer available. Will look at replacing the seal when I have time and unloading the "new improved" model at a garage sale for $1 as is where is good luck don't come back.

In article , rednoise9
@REMOVETHIScomcast.net says...

I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.

I wonder if anyone has gone through this exercise in the past couple of
years and has any comments to make on brands or features to consider or
avoid? For example, the kid at Sears made it sound like stainless steel
drums in the washer is an advantage. I see some dryers have a "steam"
option that supposedly takes wrinkles out of clothes. Doesn't sound
like a feature I'd use much. I notice that most washers, except the
very cheapest models, lack the tall center agitator. Not sure what
that's all about, but I assume they clean as well as the old style. I
read some comments saying that GE washers make a lot of noise and LG
are not very reliable.

So, any of you consumers have a report to share?

http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-...her-and-dryer/

The Sweethome is my first stop for recommendations for household items,
and their sister site the Wirecutter for tech and electronic items.
Their reviews are very detailed and they clearly explain their testing
methodology. In this case, they don't have the facilities to actually
test large appliances, so they aggregated and analyzed data from
Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com, and other sources to narrow the field
down.

On 22 Jul 2016, Dave Garrett wrote in
alt.home.repair:


http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-...her-and-dryer/

The Sweethome is my first stop for recommendations for household
items, and their sister site the Wirecutter for tech and
electronic items. Their reviews are very detailed and they clearly
explain their testing methodology. In this case, they don't have
the facilities to actually test large appliances, so they
aggregated and analyzed data from Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com,
and other sources to narrow the field down.

I'll come back to that page when I can read it more closely, but I
skimmed it and it looks like it's got a lot of great information and is
well-written. The whole site looks really good. Thanks for the pointer!

I'm getting fed up with on-line reviews. It's often hard to tell
whether or not they are original or just regurgitated marketing spiel.
Many of the user reviews are little more than just unqualified,
uninformed, unspecific rants or raves. It's hard to draw a conclusion
when half the reviews are 1-star and the other half 5-, with nothing in
between.

"Nil" wrote in message ...
On 22 Jul 2016, Dave Garrett wrote in
alt.home.repair:


http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-...her-and-dryer/

The Sweethome is my first stop for recommendations for household
items, and their sister site the Wirecutter for tech and
electronic items. Their reviews are very detailed and they clearly
explain their testing methodology. In this case, they don't have
the facilities to actually test large appliances, so they
aggregated and analyzed data from Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com,
and other sources to narrow the field down.

I'll come back to that page when I can read it more closely, but I
skimmed it and it looks like it's got a lot of great information and is
well-written. The whole site looks really good. Thanks for the pointer!

I'm getting fed up with on-line reviews. It's often hard to tell
whether or not they are original or just regurgitated marketing spiel.
Many of the user reviews are little more than just unqualified,
uninformed, unspecific rants or raves. It's hard to draw a conclusion
when half the reviews are 1-star and the other half 5-, with nothing in
between.

First off, I hate buying anything these days because of the shoddy workmanship, cheap materials and lousy off-short customer/tech support.

Be sure you get the return policy you want in writing. There should be a money-back guarantee for returns within a certain period. Try to get 60-90 days. This should be $$ back from the dealer - not the factory and no "credit toward another purchase." Have to read the contract fine print.

Also be sure that if you return it, shipping will be paid by the dealer after both purchase and return. If they don't stand behind the product, you will know what kind of company or machine this is before you buy it.

You might call some local appliance repair shops and ask them. Some mfrs like LG make it difficult for customers and independent shops to get service info, which means expensive repairs or no replacement parts. Others sell service manuals and have good phone tech support. Others have service techs in India you can't understand and don't know $hit from shinola.

Dave Garrett
Sat, 23 Jul 2016
01:55:09 GMT in alt.home.repair, wrote:

http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-...her-and-dryer/

The Sweethome is my first stop for recommendations for household
items, and their sister site the Wirecutter for tech and
electronic items. Their reviews are very detailed and they clearly
explain their testing methodology. In this case, they don't have
the facilities to actually test large appliances, so they
aggregated and analyzed data from Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com,
and other sources to narrow the field down.

Thanks for the informative url! I'll be sure to checkout the sister
site too.


--
MID:
Hmmm. I most certainly don't understand how I can access a copy of a
zip file but then not be able to unzip it so I can watch it. That
seems VERY clever!
http://al.howardknight.net/msgid.cgi?ID=145716711400

On 7/21/2016 9:01 AM, Mark Storkamp wrote:
In article ,
Nil wrote:

I'm in the market for a new clothes washer and dryer to replace my
ancient and ailing 36-year-old Hotpoints. I want mechanically simple
machines, top-loader washer, medium capacity. I prefer mechanical
controls vs. digital. They live in the basement, so cosmetics is not
important. I'd like to keep the price below $700 per unit.


Speed Queen still makes models with mechanical controls. It looks like
their base model washer starts around $850 so it's not too far off of
your target price.


I second the Speed Queen. Still made in the US (in Wisconsin). My
sister gave me a GE washer to replace my 30+ yrs Maytag; the GE lasted
a year and a half. Classic electronic panel failure, too expensive to
justify replacing it, since it would eventually fail again. I replaced
it with a Speed Queen with mechanical controls. I'm very satisfied
with the Speed Queen.