Front load washers

[Colonialgirl]

I seem to recall a while back some complaints about Front Load Washer someone or two owned; I ran across this article and I thought I'd post it here:

Front-loading washer owners to get cash, benefits in settlement
Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag machines affected by class-action lawsuit

Published 4:32 PM EDT Jun 27, 2016

GREENVILLE, S.C. —If you have a Whirlpool, Kenmore, or Maytag front-loading washing machine manufactured between 2001 and 2010, you may be entitled to cash or other compensation as part of a class-action settlement.

A settlement has been reached with Whirlpool Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co. in several class-action lawsuits claiming that certain front-loading washing machines manufactured between 2001 and 2010 fail to adequately self-clean themselves of laundry residue, resulting in mold or mildew buildup that can cause bad odors and ruined laundry.

However, even though there is a settlement, Whirlpool and Sears deny any wrongdoing.

To see a list of class washer models included in the settlement, click here.

If you are included in the settlement, you may qualify for one of a variety of benefits including a cash payment, a rebate on the purchase of a new washing machine or dryer, or reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to past mold or odor problems in your washing machine.

The only way to get a cash payment, a rebate for the purchase of a new washing machine or dryer, or reimbursement for the repair or replacement of a washing machine with mold or odor problems is to complete and submit the required documentation by Oct. 11.

http://www.wyff4.com/news/Front-loading-washer-owners-to-get-cash-benefits-in-settlement/40246596

 

[CGDustDevil]

I had a top loader that had that trouble... I now have a front loader which works VERY nicely.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I remember when they came out. The guy that worked for us that bought the appliances had a lot of grief over how poorly they worked. Even had some friends who gave it an honest try and kept it for a year before they sent it back to Sears.

 

[coach]

Maybe not related, but I had a dishwasher repairman tell me he's seen problems like mold in some new dishwashers that he blames on the fact that they use a lot less water. Sometimes the machines fill up before the hot water reaches it. He recommended running the faucet until the hot water comes out and to use the high temp setting that heats the water in the machine too.

 

[nvbirdman]

Thank you very much for telling us about this. Any money I receive from this will go into my retirement fund.

 

[blume357]

We bought one last year, here in Greenville.... So far satisfied. I don't think it cleans as well as a top loader... but then sometimes I have some really dirty clothes... it seems to do well on just regular clothes.... the mold and odor concern was either addressed in the instructions or in some research I did on front loaders..... not only do you not leave the clothes in the machine after they are done... but you leave the door open when not in use. The one interesting thing I notice with cloths run through this front loader is that they are much dryer, just damp, when finished. So, much less time in the dryer or on the line.

 

[vito]

About two years ago, if I recall correctly, I had posted a thread about my dissatisfaction with Sears related to my Kenmore front load washer (made by Whirlpool). After a few years of working properly, the glass inside window in the door imploded during a normal wash. Millions of tiny glass shards permeated the clothing and the drum. Sears would only agree to replacing the damaged door, despite the obvious reality that there was no way to adequately remove all of the glass shards so that the machine would be safe to use again. After fighting with them for months I settled for a new door (which I never unboxed and gave away to a friend who does appliance repairs) and accepted $250 for the loss of the clothing in the washer at the time. My dealings with Sears were so bad that I vowed never to buy anything from Sears ever again (and I have kept to my promise despite my generally liking Craftsman tools). This whole episode followed about a year earlier where I had bought a dishwasher (Maytag brand) from Sears, but when it failed to work and their repairman could not seem to figure out what the problem was, I tried to avail myself of their claimed "no questions asked 90 day return policy". Since I was on day 89 I felt I was covered. They gave me a very difficult time, at first delaying their pick up of the non-working dishwasher and then claiming since it was past the 90 day mark I was no longer entitled to anything. They finally replaced the machine when I made a scene at the store and loudly threatened to sue. I am amazed that this crappy company is still in business.

As to front loader washers in general, I have been pretty pleased. They work well, use less water than top loaders, spin much faster and thus leave the clothes much drier, which has allowed my old dryer to get the job done even though it is aging and starting to fail. Wash cycles, however, are generally longer than on the top loaders.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Bought my TOP loading washer in 2007 when we first moved in; dented on one side, got a significant discount (less than half price); it's a large capacity model and has worked well ever since with only ONE minor repair ( knob for wash size broke) Epoxy worked wonders and its STILL in use; Ditto for my Drier, another side damaged discounted bargain , made them take off the side so I could make sure no damage to the mechanism or main frame; It's still working wonders drying my wash when needed; It too was purchased in 2007 because we had no laundry equipment when we moved in because we had been living in an apartment.