washer

[bucketmouth64]

Need to get a new clothes washer. Any suggestions where to get good prices, should I consider reconditioned, and is there a difference in top load and front load. Don't most places deliver, set up, and take old one out.

[JohnMickish]

Sounds like your looking to save a buck, check out appliancesmart. They sell new scratch and dent stuff with the full warranty. No delivery or pickup, but if you want to save a buck......

[11-87]

front load should save you water.

also check your local utility company for any possible rebate$

[solbes]

We just bought a new gas dryer as our old one died. We shopped around and there wasn't a whole lot of price difference. ApplianceSmart was maybe $50-75 cheaper, but I figured I'd pay the difference for someone to do the free delivery and haul away. We went with Lowes mainly because we had a $25 off coupon.

We also looked at washers, but decided to wait until our current one dies. The front load ones sound like they use less water and help reduce your dryer costs becaues clothes come out with much less moisture.

[jeffreyd]

we bought a set washer/dryer from lowes as the washer was going and the dryer was not far behind. we went with a front load on both, samsung and i can tell you that my soap, softener, and water/electric has gone way down. the one thing you have to make sure is that most new washers are HE type so the soap is special for these. does not cost much more and you use way less. They are very quite and efficient. Our power company had rebate going for the set so we got a couple hundred back. Also check on the appliance rebate program that is ongoing. The one thing i would suggest is get the stand that is part of the washer/dryer. they are pretty low to the floor however without them ( i did not get them) you have to bend to the floor. So there are a few ideas. good luck.

[spearchucker]

I agree that they can save you money, but they cost a lot more. Sometimes 2X. Depending on your situation (several loads of week with a family vs 1 or 2 a week), it may not pay to get the higher efficiency models. If you only do a couple loads a week you will never recoup the extra cost, but I guess you can feel good about saving the earth. If you do a lot of loads then definitely get the HE.

The stands look like they are a must to me, but I can't believe what they get for them. The 2 stands cost more than 1 of the older top load washers almost.

[jeffreyd]

I know, not sure what mn has going on appliance rebates right now but many states have some good deals. as far as recouping the extra cost, i think if i looked at the amount of soap i use to buy compared to know it is way less than half, my electric bill has gone down cause the dryer has a sensor on it, granted sometimes you have to dry a bit longer but it is much more efficient. and the one thing i noticed is that these machines weight twice as much as the older ones did. you can also deduct the energy star on your taxes. so it is all pros and cons i guess. good luck, just let your wife find the one she wants and let her go with it. our machines are used 3 times a week so they do get used.

[bucketmouth64]

thanks for the info. We've been looking around and those front loaders are spendy and those stands are riduculously priced at $200+.

[RiverFish]

Tony,

You don't need the front stand. We get by with out one, it is lower to the floor, but we live with it. I have also heard of guys building their own stand for a lot cheaper.

We bought a front loader a few years ago and have not been dissapointed with it. Same results as all those listed above. Its amazing how dry the clothes come out of the washer.

[Hookmaster]

I had the dryer repaired last fall. The repair guy said stick with the top load washers since they cost so much less to repair.

[jeffreyd]

we do not have the stands either however my wife being of the height of 4 ft 8 is the lowest person to the floor. does that mean she does the laundry, heck no, i do at 6 ft 1. if you look at some of the various machines some have a tub that is angled down in the back so the door opens upward making it a bit easier to load. i had a hard time spending the money for the stands thats why we did not get them.

[bucketmouth64]

I think we are leaning toward the top load since there isn't a lot of laundry that is done. We found a display model at lowe's that was discounted $200 that we are considering.

[papabear]

seen a lot of front loads where people build a stand from wood that they can make fit them better. options there are endless from how high it is to of you want storage underneath.

yes simple direct drive top loads are far cheaper and easier to repair. A board for an HE washer can be $200 before labor. Get one now before new energy efficiency standards make them obselete.

[Gissert]

A few years ago, we needed a new washer and dryer. We wint with a middle of the road Whirlpool set, and the place that sold them to us said they were an excellent unit. The washer was a front load.

Two years later, several warranty and non warranty repairs later, I got fed up and got rid of them. The guy that did the repairs said these units were nothing but problems from day one. They had the Whirlpool badge, but were made in Italy.

We went and got the Maytag Bravos set, and have beem really happy with them. The washer is a top load, wut there is no agitator in them. It will wash HUGE loads.

Another lesson learned that sometimes it better to cry once when making a major purchase.

[bucketmouth64]

A few years ago, we needed a new washer and dryer. We wint with a middle of the road Whirlpool set, and the place that sold them to us said they were an excellent unit. The washer was a front load.

Two years later, several warranty and non warranty repairs later, I got fed up and got rid of them. The guy that did the repairs said these units were nothing but problems from day one. They had the Whirlpool badge, but were made in Italy.

We went and got the Maytag Bravos set, and have beem really happy with them. The washer is a top load, wut there is no agitator in them. It will wash HUGE loads.

Another lesson learned that sometimes it better to cry once when making a major purchase.

We are going with the Whirlpool Cabrio top load. Also found out that Whirlpool bought out Maytag, or vice versa. So the Bravio and Cabrio models are similar. Parts are U.S. and are readily available.

[bearslayer]

I would do some more research and look at the problems the cabrios have had before you buy one. I would follow papabears recomendation and buy the basic whirlpool direct drive. You will have less problems and the repairs are cheaper.