Front loading washer / dryer + Vacuum

[ptrd]

Just a little rant...appliances are EXPENSIVE!

Just moving into an apt with the gf and now we have lots of stuff to buy.

If anyone is looking at front loading washer / dryers, Best Buy has a pretty decent deal on the out going LG steam washer / dryer.

Also bought a dyson dc28 animal.

The whole time I was thinking to myself...man that's the 400 f5.6 + 11-16 + a few more strobes...

Any opinions on these items (maintanence, etc).

[heathercaptures]

Have you thought about finding a store that has them used, or just a scratch on them? They are much less expensive, when we lived in Mansfield there is a place called Mansfield Appliance, Leslie and her husband own in. They sometimes get new stuff, at great prices. I also know of a place here in Allen, not sure what the name is off Main st. I am sure you could google in your area. Just a thought...
Good Luck with the move and new purchases!

[Crashoran]

Just buy the ones that have dents/scratches. We got ours 1/2 off because of a dent in the side (which faces a wall anyways) and popped it right out when we got it home.

[ptrd]

I have been to one of those places (Sears has one of those places in Addison).

It was worth it for us to buy it new as these models were getting replaced so that's why it was discounted more than usual. I think msrp was $1200 but we got them at $800 a pop.

We didn't buy the pedestals as those are just overpriced!

[janetg]

how about just gettting a regular washer and dryer? half the cost

[Cajungaltx]

My opinion is that you need to shop elsewhere if you think Bestbuy has good deals...I'd keep my poor husband working 90+ hours a week, and I wouldn't have a bit of camera gear at all...

Sears dent places are great - I picked up a chest freezer for $150... it was $450 brand new... it had a dent in the BACK part!!! Seriously.

Plus - Craigslist is your FRIEND.....

You don't 'need' it brand new... Here's a washer & a dryer for $80...
Washer and dryer together

Need the gas version? Whirlpool - $300
Whirlpool Washer & GAS Dryer Set

$300 - Maytag Ensignia washer/dryer set for both.. .once again..

Dyson Animal: Dyson Animal Great Shape $150

Brand new, never been owned just means that you get to take the 'hit' for the value drop... ;-)

[C!LLY]

yard sales are great too...especially around military bases where you have people moving every couple of years and getting rid of stuff.

[t00mies]

one maintenance recommendation ---

after you use the washer, leave the door open or so that any remaining moisture can evaporate -- this will keep the rubber seals from mildewing and smelling bad

[Coogie]

Once you go front loader washer you never go back. This did bring back some bad memories though.
My mom's old Kenmoore which had lasted over 10 years (we just needed to change the pump once which we did ourself) finally died last year and I went shopping. I only had one request - pick up the old set and install it since it's a pain for me to drive there myself. Best Buy's sales people were useless and charged extra for delivery and installation. I liked Home Depot.

Mistake #1 I was looking to get the biggest and cheapest one I could find (which is still at least $550) which was a GE top loader with "hydrowave" which supposedly is new water saving thing that squirts water in the clothes or something...

Mistake #2 assumed the guys would install it. I got a call from this huge guy (according to my mom) who said he couldn't take the hose off the old one and I'd need to call a plumber. After not getting anywhere with him, I told them just put in the dryer and I'll install it myself. It took me like 10 minutes.

Mistake #3, thinking they'd be smart enough to know that if I ordered a set, I'd want to pick up my old set. When I called them to pick up the old washer after their guy couldn't install it, they told me that there was only an order to pick up one, not both of hte old appliances. after calling the store, they finall picked up the old one.

Mistake #4, thinking GE engineers knew what they were doing. This fancy new washer barely cleaned the clothes. Not only that, it died a month later! The service guy came and fixed it and it died 2 weeks later. The other guy came and said it's dead. So this time I told them to give me a front loader one and I'd pay the difference.

Mistake #5, assumed the installers knew how to turn a screw. This time I took off the hoses of the old one, but I still got a call from them that the valve was leaking. I told them to just turn the screw on the valveto tighten the gasket. They refused.


After all that, I have to say the front loader is pretty sweet. No problems yet. I even bring my clothes there just to watch it work.

[Rson]

Dyson is the BOMB, I won one in a contest. Well worth the $$$

[ptrd]

Originally Posted by janetg

how about just gettting a regular washer and dryer? half the cost

Actually the laundry room doesn't allow for it as the water heater is above the dryer. I mean I guess you could use one but you couldn't open the top door all the way.

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

My opinion is that you need to shop elsewhere if you think Bestbuy has good deals...I'd keep my poor husband working 90+ hours a week, and I wouldn't have a bit of camera gear at all...

Sears dent places are great - I picked up a chest freezer for $150... it was $450 brand new... it had a dent in the BACK part!!! Seriously.

Plus - Craigslist is your FRIEND.....

You don't 'need' it brand new... Here's a washer & a dryer for $80...
Washer and dryer together

Need the gas version? Whirlpool - $300
Whirlpool Washer & GAS Dryer Set

$300 - Maytag Ensignia washer/dryer set for both.. .once again..

Dyson Animal: Dyson Animal Great Shape $150

Brand new, never been owned just means that you get to take the 'hit' for the value drop... ;-)

I agree to a degree. I have never bought a new car because I can maintain them. There are people who do buy new cars. I know I had plenty of other choices but honestly it's easier for me to walk in and buy it. I've never bought these before so it's kind of a shock (probably the same with camera gear as well). I hopefully won't have to buy these items again for some time so it's a small investment. For the models I bought, I actually did get the "best new price" :) I know where you are coming from so please don't take my response as typical "young-in" mentality. I am a bit of a techie and want the latest and greatest within reason.

[Breezy]

I agree with the comment once you to front load you never go back. You save a LOT of water and power with them. I loved the original Maytag front loads the best of our 3 sets (don't ask lol)
That said keep the lag bolts that come with the washer so that when/if you move the drum doesn't bounce around. We moved the original set a couple of times with no bolts but some movers won't touch them with out the bolts. Found that out this time. We never had an issue with the mold and mildew but have heard several suggest leaving the door open. Do not use the normal amount of detergent unless you are using HE detergent or it will take several rinses to get it all out.
The LGs are nice we were debating between them and the whirlpools when we got the 3rd set. wound up with the whirlpools and think we would have been happier with the LGs. The whirlpool just doesn't stack up to my maytags :(
I think you will like them lots!

[miffed67]

I have the LG front loading washer and dryer and I LOVE THEM. They're awesome! You got a great deal on them, we paid $3000 for our set. I also have the Dyson "pet hair" vac, and it's great, easily the best vacuum I've ever owned and it's lasted the longest, too.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by janetg

how about just gettting a regular washer and dryer? half the cost

Agreed. Although having nice stuff is sometimes worth the price.

Since we became parents (and do much more laundry than we used to), we've found we have to replace our washer every three or four years. We usually buy from Home Depot or Lowe's for well under $500, free delivery and haul-off of our old one. Current washer has a stainless tub in the standard orientation, but is Energy Star-rated. The thing is, half the people I know who have really nice front-load washers have had issues with them after two years.

Same goes for vacs . We have a Bissell Healthy Home that has a similar suck-design as the Dyson but paid $200 for it. I think the newer Dysons are better-made, but for awhile they had horrible ratings because of flimsy construction. When they work, they work. though.

[janetg]

my husband would look at me with a padded jacket in his hand, if i told him we were spending 3k on a washer and dryer. we've been married 29 years, had 2 kids, and various kritters..and i think we've had a total of 4 sets of washer/dryers over those years and i know one set we sold with a house. i've had 2 oreck vacuums...the first one didn't die either, i just traded it in for one that had a dual power switch.