19 months ago I needed a new washer/dryer pair. My previous ones were flat wore out. Had them since the lil’wrekker was toddling.
First I had to have the Siamese cats approval. The dryer belongs to them. Second I had to get Mr.Wrekker on board to go pick out and pay. I don’t do good having to say alot of words to people. So I needed a mouthpiece with a credit card. (I hear you snickering, back there)
We go to the big Home Depot. That was a fun experience I don’t care to repeat. The approximately 14 yo.Girl who worked in appliances knew nothing. Nothing! Big Wrek ain’t liking that.
Lowes? Same thing 'cept it’s a old guy whose previous employment involved sweeping and mopping. Not a genius. At all.
He decides w/o consulting me that Sears is the place to go. I’m thinking ain’t Sears in big trouble?.Going out of business or something? Big Wrek sez their tools are good. Lets go there.
We get to a sad looking Sears store. No cars in the lot. Hey, personal service, Here we come!
The salesman is drooling for a sale. He is knowledgable. Talking right to Mr.Wrekker. He glances at me and says look at these lovely tools for the home. He knows who he’s selling to. And it ain’t me.
I see the red ones. Front loaders. Up on pedestals. Saves the back. Yay! I’m sold!!
Not so fast. Mr.Wrekker is fussing about the ‘matching red pedestals’ They cost more. He wants a discount for that. Now look. This peon can’t okay discounts. I poke big Wrek in the ribs. I really, really want a red washer/dryer on pedestals. He looks pained. But sez ok. The salesman gives me 2 boxes of the detergent. Free. Nice!
We’re at the counter, Salesman is clicking on the computer. Big Wrek wanders over to a display of craftsman wrenches. The salesman askes do we want an extended warranty. The only word I said the whole time was to answer his question “Yes”
Mr.Wrekker doesn’t like extended warranties. They cost too much. But I have a moment of clarity and a tiny premonition. This washer/dryer set is gonna be a problem. Cute and red but finicky. Me and salesman slip that warranty by the credit card guy.
He pays, we leave. They are delivered and set up.
Fast forward 19 months. This washer is possessed. It’s been a problem since the first month. It washes when it decides to. All my cursing and button pushing and resetting are all for naught. When it decides to come on it does. I’ve been on YouTube learning about this washer. There’s actually a resetting method of 6 door openings and closings in a few seconds time span. That worked once. No, really it’s a thing. The washer got wise to my tricks though.
I finally bit the bullet and told Mr.Wrekker about my washer problems. His words were “‘I knew it’”
I told him we bought an extended warranty. “What?” sez he.
Why didn’t I do this while he was in Mexico?
The warranty sent a repairman. He took 5 seconds to say you get a new washer on Monday. Delivered and set up.
Ooh. Shiny red. (I’m shallow, I know)
I’m buying an extended warranty as soon as it’s here. Can’t be too careful.
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille.
You know, Beck, it’s a well known fact that bar insurance is higher on red appliances cuz on average people get more speeding stickers while driving them. 
As a rule, I forego extended warranties. I usually ask the salesperson (politely) why I’d need an extended warranty: don’t they have faith in their products? The extended warranty business is a very lucrative one for good reason: few appliances break during the warranty period. That was not your case, though, so I’m glad you got the EW.
I bought a washer from Sears 12 years ago. No extended warranty. It was still under regular warranty when it went on the fritz. I call the store. They don’t do or arrange for repairs. I have to call a 1-800 number. I do. They tell me to call a repair person. Then if the repair person discovers a condition covered by the warranty, they’ll pay the bill. Repair guy doesn’t like this. He says it takes Sears forever to make payment. I think I know why Sears is in trouble. I knew KMart buying them out didn’t bode well.
Anyway, congrats on your shiny new red washer! I hope the new one is less temperamental.
I never buy extended warranties. If something goes wrong with it during the first few years, believe me, they are going to fix it for nothing. I don’t give a flying rip what the paperwork says. I’ll be on the phone so long and so often that the help desk employees will go out on strike until management takes care of me.
Help desk people are my worst enemy. Or tech help people. Gah!!!
You cling to that word ‘help’ like it means something. Poor child. Reach out and grasp ‘help’ for yourself.
Can I get a ‘Hallelujah’, People?
Gato! You’re a poet.
Glad to hear that your decision was a good one, Beck!
actually sears repair people are competent its when they outsource to the local repair guys is when ya get into trouble
but because we have warranties 120$ each every 2 years we have a new fridge new stove and new washer and there’s only 3 or 4 original parts on the dryer
The repairman wasn’t in a Sears truck. I imagine he was an independant contractor. He took one look at the error code flashing on the panel and judged it Fubar.
Good for you. Modern appliances don’t repair very well. Our 4 year old front load washer began growling when spinning and it is getting worse. A look online confirmed it was the main bearings on the tub. OK so a lot of disassembly and a couple of $10 bearings, right? No. They don’t offer the bearing separately. You have to buy a new rear half of the tub, about $300.
Fortunately there is a repairman online who has excellent videos about this kind of thing and who has bought up wholesale lots of the bearings and seal needed and offers them as a kit for $50. They have been staring from my desk for a couple of weeks waiting for me.
Dennis
I saw that Dude. He knows his stuff.
I have maytag machines. Too load washer, bought brand new almost 10 years ago. Floor models of a discontinued line. Only problem I ever had was the plastic water pump leaking tue second day after I got it.
My folks have one of those pedestal mounted super efficient uses a teaspoon of water type of machines. The repair guy is there every couple of years.
The normal problem with front loaders is they smell. I’ve come up with a concoction that eliminates that. I won’t share the recipe, it might be bad for the machine. If you want it, PM me, at your own risk.
The problem with these uber pricey stylish appliances is the computers that are attached to them. Too much for a lowly laundry appliance. There’s no need for a touch screen on a freakin’ washer. It’s crazy.
RED,
Beckers, I adore you!
A secret dream I have harbored for decades is to have RED appliances!
swoon
As for the Extended Warranty, we have talked to several people, and warranty work is handled by non-Sears folks.
For the most part, “Sears Hometown” stores are independently owned. Those are the little stores that carry big appliances, huge yard toys, and tools.
~VOW
I told you. We’re twins separated at birth. We might have a triplet out there.
(Oh, dork, where are you?)
Front loaders acquire a smell because they are water-tight when closed (duh). That also means air-tight.
Solution? Leave the door open between washings. Stick a rag or old washcloth in the hinge.
Also, front loaders can only deal with 1/4 cup detergent PER LOAD. All caps and measuring tools in my house and my daughter’s house have been marked with a line. I used ChartPak tape and clear nail polish to affix said line to the outside of the cap/cup.
Finally, the friendly repairperson said to run an empty washer with a hot water, regular cycle, and a package of TIDE washer cleaner. Long, orange skinny packet.
Haapy RED washer! WooHoo!
~ VOW
My fancy-pants stove is another story. I tell you, I was seduced!
The thing has more computer parts than the launch computers at Vandenberg AFB. The stovetop works fine* but the ovens were whack. It took 2 hours to bake a tube of Pillsbury biscuits, or the turkey was incinerated at jet engine exhaust heat. Sears repair was useless. We got an independent repairperson to check it out, and he diagnosed a fried motherboard.
When he replaced it, he found the problem. A spider (damn things are everywhere) had crawled across the motherboard and got electrocuted.
*Stovetop includes a turbo burner, which draws my husband like sharp objects draw little children. I explained to him that turning a burner up as high as it will go does not cook food faster. It merely BURNS food faster.
~VOW
~VOW, my ocd won’t let me leave the washer or dryer door opened. I know, I know. Don’t yell!
I’m afraid Meeko will get in there and Brother Bear will touch the sreen with his nose and ‘wash’ her. :eek:
ETA, oh, god the turbo burner!! I got tales!