Hi Stephen,

We bought the Sears Kenmore front loader - about 6 months ago - so far it's
been great. The machine uses less water (saves thousands of gallons annually
in an average home) especially if you have a well. Also, the high speed spin
ability takes much more water out of clothes requiring much less dryer
time...

One thing, I've found that front loaders are ergonomically less comfortable
than top loaders - the door is very low (could be an issue for older
persons - but maybe not). You might consider placing the machines on a solid
platform to make access easier.

As for reliability - I've seen no difference - It's all warranteed anyway...

Good luck,


Kevin O'



"Stephen Gallagher" wrote in message
om...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Stephen Gallagher wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?
the front will not open if something is wrong with it and how you gonna
get the clothes out??? if a repairman friend suggest not to get one i
wonder why you would ask here from people you dont even know......
much harder to work on...ELECTRONIC....conctrols in place of regular
proven electric controls much easier for static elect. to fry the chips
that will be costly.....

Stephen Gallagher wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?
the front will not open if something is wrong with it and how you gonna
get the clothes out??? if a repairman friend suggest not to get one i
wonder why you would ask here from people you dont even know......
much harder to work on...ELECTRONIC....conctrols in place of regular
proven electric controls much easier for static elect. to fry the chips
that will be costly.....

On 16 Aug 2003 08:40:55 -0700, (Stephen
Gallagher) wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Well, many people are reporting good results with the
GE/Frigidaire/Kenmore units that are manufactured by the same company,
but our experience has been exactly the opposite. We hate them. The
washer pump has gone out, the pump doesn't have any sort of screen so
any coins or debris in the wash can damage it, the washer and dryer
have both been serviced due to squeals and noise problems, and any
large washer load must be spun twice to ring the water from it, and
ANY drier load takes two complete cycles to dry. Six service calls in
three years and they still don't work right.

On 16 Aug 2003 08:40:55 -0700, (Stephen
Gallagher) wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Well, many people are reporting good results with the
GE/Frigidaire/Kenmore units that are manufactured by the same company,
but our experience has been exactly the opposite. We hate them. The
washer pump has gone out, the pump doesn't have any sort of screen so
any coins or debris in the wash can damage it, the washer and dryer
have both been serviced due to squeals and noise problems, and any
large washer load must be spun twice to ring the water from it, and
ANY drier load takes two complete cycles to dry. Six service calls in
three years and they still don't work right.

(Stephen Gallagher) wrote in message . com...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Hi,

Do they, generally, fail more often than top loaders?

No.....but when they do they are more complicated to repair/service
than top loaders are. Front load washers save money on
water/hydro/soap and an extended warranty is a must with the front
load washer!

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

(Stephen Gallagher) wrote in message . com...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Hi,

Do they, generally, fail more often than top loaders?

No.....but when they do they are more complicated to repair/service
than top loaders are. Front load washers save money on
water/hydro/soap and an extended warranty is a must with the front
load washer!

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003, "Kevin O'" wrote:

We bought the Sears Kenmore front loader - about 6 months ago - so far it's
been great.

That is the one I bought. Their top-of-the-line model. Mine's about a year
old.

Also, the high speed spin
ability takes much more water out of clothes requiring much less dryer
time...

I always put mine on extended spin at the highest speed. I see no reason
not to. Minimizes dryer time.

I also always add the second rinse. I care more about having my clothes
soap-free, than saving some water.

One thing, I've found that front loaders are ergonomically less comfortable
than top loaders - the door is very low (could be an issue for older
persons - but maybe not). You might consider placing the machines on a solid
platform to make access easier.

I find the door no lower than the door to my dryer. And with the clothes
basket on the floor I just lift them up and into the opening. But I am not
old and I have no problem stooping.

As for reliability - I've seen no difference - It's all warranteed anyway...

Living alone I don't have that many clothes to wash. So no real service
calls. My only problem was the delivery people did not balance it as they
were supposed to. So I had to get them back. Then they still didn't do it
right. After leveling the instructions say to tighten up the nuts to lock
in place the feet. And if not it will wobble. Well, I was able to tighten
the front nuts, but I can't pull it out by myself get the rear ones. So it
does wobble.

Don donwiss at panix.com.

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003, "Kevin O'" wrote:

We bought the Sears Kenmore front loader - about 6 months ago - so far it's
been great.

That is the one I bought. Their top-of-the-line model. Mine's about a year
old.

Also, the high speed spin
ability takes much more water out of clothes requiring much less dryer
time...

I always put mine on extended spin at the highest speed. I see no reason
not to. Minimizes dryer time.

I also always add the second rinse. I care more about having my clothes
soap-free, than saving some water.

One thing, I've found that front loaders are ergonomically less comfortable
than top loaders - the door is very low (could be an issue for older
persons - but maybe not). You might consider placing the machines on a solid
platform to make access easier.

I find the door no lower than the door to my dryer. And with the clothes
basket on the floor I just lift them up and into the opening. But I am not
old and I have no problem stooping.

As for reliability - I've seen no difference - It's all warranteed anyway...

Living alone I don't have that many clothes to wash. So no real service
calls. My only problem was the delivery people did not balance it as they
were supposed to. So I had to get them back. Then they still didn't do it
right. After leveling the instructions say to tighten up the nuts to lock
in place the feet. And if not it will wobble. Well, I was able to tighten
the front nuts, but I can't pull it out by myself get the rear ones. So it
does wobble.

Don donwiss at panix.com.

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

"Stephen Gallagher" wrote in message
om...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

"Stephen Gallagher" wrote in message
om...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

" wrote in message ...
Stephen Gallagher wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?
the front will not open if something is wrong with it and how you gonna
get the clothes out??? if a repairman friend suggest not to get one i
wonder why you would ask here from people you dont even know......

He's simply a neighbor, not particularly a friend. Plus, maybe he doesn't
like working on them, so tries to discourage people from buying them.
I've only heard that one negative report and I don't know anyone who
owns one, since they've only been increasing in popularity in recent years.
The biggest negative reports I've seen so far have been against the
Maytag Neptune.

Stephen

" wrote in message ...
Stephen Gallagher wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?
the front will not open if something is wrong with it and how you gonna
get the clothes out??? if a repairman friend suggest not to get one i
wonder why you would ask here from people you dont even know......

He's simply a neighbor, not particularly a friend. Plus, maybe he doesn't
like working on them, so tries to discourage people from buying them.
I've only heard that one negative report and I don't know anyone who
owns one, since they've only been increasing in popularity in recent years.
The biggest negative reports I've seen so far have been against the
Maytag Neptune.

Stephen

Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and wanted a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and wanted a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

"Stephen Gallagher" wrote in message
om...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Don't buy a Maytag. The other front loaders seem to OK. Maytag seems to be
living off of their name judging by the quality of recent products
especially the neptune front load washers..

"Stephen Gallagher" wrote in message
om...
My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Don't buy a Maytag. The other front loaders seem to OK. Maytag seems to be
living off of their name judging by the quality of recent products
especially the neptune front load washers..

It's funny. When I was 16 I worked in a laundromat that had all front
loading washing machines by Bendix. They worked well and were problem free.
That was 50 years ago. Are we moving backwards?
"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the
retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and wanted
a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

It's funny. When I was 16 I worked in a laundromat that had all front
loading washing machines by Bendix. They worked well and were problem free.
That was 50 years ago. Are we moving backwards?
"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the
retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and wanted
a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Quite a few years ago, I worked at a country club that had 3-50 pound front
loaders and 1-30 pounder. All they needed was a little preventative
maintenance.


"Jerry Levine" wrote in message
et...
It's funny. When I was 16 I worked in a laundromat that had all front
loading washing machines by Bendix. They worked well and were problem
free.
That was 50 years ago. Are we moving backwards?
"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the
retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and
wanted
a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Quite a few years ago, I worked at a country club that had 3-50 pound front
loaders and 1-30 pounder. All they needed was a little preventative
maintenance.


"Jerry Levine" wrote in message
et...
It's funny. When I was 16 I worked in a laundromat that had all front
loading washing machines by Bendix. They worked well and were problem
free.
That was 50 years ago. Are we moving backwards?
"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Sorry, should have explained more. GAVE away the Neptune after 3 or 4
service calls. Water still collected in the front boot despite the
retrofit.
Clothes came out tangled. Noise was awful. Wife said give it away to the
first person willing to put up with it.
"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003, Doug wrote:

We GAVE away our Maytag Neptune

Not very informative. Did you give it away as you were moving and
wanted
a
good friend to have it instead of the new owners?

Don donwiss at panix.com.

"Stephen Gallagher"wrote
... need a new washer ... consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them. ...
What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Here, in the UK, the majority of washers are front loaders and do not appear
to cause any additional problems over the less common top loaders. Ask the
repairman you have spoke with about the particular probs encountered (they
may just have been from low cost models).

I would say go ahead, but make sure you purchase a well known brand name,
because if the door seals eventually need replaced it will usually be easier
to get a replacement. I personally have never had to replace a door seal
in 30 years of having front loaders.

Ah ... less water & energy use ... another example of how we in the UK are
more environmentally conscious (but that's another thread for another
newsgroup!!).

Haggis_n_Neeps

"Stephen Gallagher"wrote
... need a new washer ... consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them. ...
What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Here, in the UK, the majority of washers are front loaders and do not appear
to cause any additional problems over the less common top loaders. Ask the
repairman you have spoke with about the particular probs encountered (they
may just have been from low cost models).

I would say go ahead, but make sure you purchase a well known brand name,
because if the door seals eventually need replaced it will usually be easier
to get a replacement. I personally have never had to replace a door seal
in 30 years of having front loaders.

Ah ... less water & energy use ... another example of how we in the UK are
more environmentally conscious (but that's another thread for another
newsgroup!!).

Haggis_n_Neeps

On 16 Aug 2003 08:40:55 -0700, (Stephen
Gallagher) wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Front loading machines save water and soap and get closthes
cleaner while subjecting them to less wear and tear. In general it is
a far better design.

The problem is that they have become all the rage again after
many years of neglect. Many manufacturers don't have sufficient
recent experience to made good ones. Maytag, for example, is only
half-hearted about their attempt at the design and it shows.

If I were buying one, I would choose a company that has been
making front-loading machines all along and has a good track record.
That may be hard to find. It may not be a US company.

If your parents would like a top-of-the line model that will
give them little trouble and get clothes about as clean as one can
get, check out a Swedish brand called Asko. It uses even less water
than most front loaders.

Also, I think Bosch makes front-loading machines. I don't
have first-hand experience with their washing machines, but their
products tend to be high quality.

In short, the idea is a good one. They will have to shop
around to get a good machine. When they find a good one, they will be
very happy with it.


Good luck

Peter

On 16 Aug 2003 08:40:55 -0700, (Stephen
Gallagher) wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

Front loading machines save water and soap and get closthes
cleaner while subjecting them to less wear and tear. In general it is
a far better design.

The problem is that they have become all the rage again after
many years of neglect. Many manufacturers don't have sufficient
recent experience to made good ones. Maytag, for example, is only
half-hearted about their attempt at the design and it shows.

If I were buying one, I would choose a company that has been
making front-loading machines all along and has a good track record.
That may be hard to find. It may not be a US company.

If your parents would like a top-of-the line model that will
give them little trouble and get clothes about as clean as one can
get, check out a Swedish brand called Asko. It uses even less water
than most front loaders.

Also, I think Bosch makes front-loading machines. I don't
have first-hand experience with their washing machines, but their
products tend to be high quality.

In short, the idea is a good one. They will have to shop
around to get a good machine. When they find a good one, they will be
very happy with it.


Good luck

Peter

In article , Ken Schumm
wrote:

On 16 Aug 2003 08:40:55 -0700, (Stephen
Gallagher) wrote:

My parents (in Florida) need a new washer and when
I suggested they they consider a front loader, their
neighbor who is an appliance repairman said not to
get one, as he gets too many repair calls on them.
He didn't mention any specific make or model.

What do most people think? Do they, generally,
fail more often than top loaders?

I've had an Asko for ten years or so and have had one service call:
turned out to be a blown fuse (I shouldda been able to figure that one
out). I really like the Asko: uses a lot less water and detergent than
conventional top loaders, does a better cleaning job, and the spin cycle
gets a good deal more water out of the clothes, resulting in less power
required in the drier. They aren't for everybody, tho: capacity is
smaller (~80% average top load), the controls on mine are a bit quirky,
and they're pricey (tho efficiency may pay you back). Check out Consumer
Reports reviews (I think they had one a few months ago).