Author Topic: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist  (Read 6642 times)

Shropskr

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Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« on: January 24, 2014, 11:26:32 PM »
My 14 yr old referbished washing machine has finally had it.
Getting one on Craigslist seems daunting.  Ie hear Neptune's are bad and other such difficulties.

I figure I have about two weeks until. A I magically repair my machine.  B find a craigslist one I'm ok with.  Not sure how. Or  C go down to Lowes and order a new machine.  Ok there is D laundromat but I don't like it.

How can you find tell a good craigslist machine from a bad or is it just a shot in the dark? 

Bbqmustache

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2014, 05:32:22 AM »
You can google reviews on any Criaglisted machine to give you some peace of mind.  Might try ebay classified or even your local paper classifieds if they exist in your area.  If end up having to go to Lowes (Sears outlet anywhere near you?), research what you want like crazy, then find out if they have any scratch and dent versions of that model that you can deal on.

Good luck!

pipercat

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2014, 08:18:10 AM »
Our Kenmore front-loader died about 4 or 5 years ago, so we got an Amana front loader (probably one of the least expensive FL).  Just yesterday, it left a giant puddle of water in my laundry room floor.  Turned out to only need a hose replaced, but I had already decided we were going to go the Craigslist route if this one couldn't be fixed. 

As they say, things just don't seem to last as long these days, and I'm not willing to pay for new if it won't last any longer than the used version.  Luckily, DH is getting better and better at fixing things (especially with the help of youtube), so lots of things are lasting longer in our house.

My vote would be to get a washer via Craigslist.

Greg

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2014, 10:27:11 AM »
If you do go the new route, there may be alternatives to Lowes.  In my area, there are a few independent appliance stores.  The main advice I would offer is get the most basic, least electronic one you can.  Often this will require the salesperson to look in a catalog or something.  Or for you to look online for other similar models.

The reason is the electronic panels are expensive to replace and seem to have a terrible reliability history.  Simpler machines with mechanical controls seem to last longer.  And anyway, we're talking about washing clothes, not surgery, so most of the options that fancier models offer are unnecessary.

The one thing about cl for appliances is that there's usually a good reason the seller wants rid of it.  Not all sellers will explain the real problem, but most will.  If you don't feel comfortable with the seller, move on.

Catbert

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2014, 12:08:23 PM »
When buying large appliances off Craig's List look for those in affluent areas.  They are much more likely to get rid of perfectly good appliances because the color no longer matches...whatever. 

Exflyboy

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2014, 12:58:18 PM »
Whatever you do buy decent hoses.. Burst hoses are very common and can cost major $$$ when they burst.

A quality pair of floodcheck hoses cost about $40.. well worth it.

Our laundry room floor is also equipped with a drain to outside so if anything ever did let go the damage should be minimal.

I also like the idea of putting the washer in its own drain pan with a drain to outside... although I didn't go this far myself.

My renters with their CL washer do worry me though.

Frank

Nords

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2014, 08:31:31 PM »
How can you find tell a good craigslist machine from a bad or is it just a shot in the dark?
You're in luck:  the Appliance Samurai just published his third edition of his brand recommendations.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZBfv-shUEUJD5Y5Jl0aG87ujCznwQagYa4DTwg4BDiM/edit

He's a tad snarky, but he used to be a Navy aviation electronics tech.  I've been using his recommendations and troubleshooting guides for years.

You can also check Consumer Reports ratings, either at your local library or by paying for their website access.  $20-$40 is a cost-effective way of researching Craigslist posts for a $500 purchase.

I appreciate that Kenmore has an extremely sucky recommendation, but we bought a used Kenmore front-loader model 417.43042300. "Kenmore" is just the label that Sears slaps on their contract-manufactured appliances, and this one was actually made by Kelvinator. (http://fixitnow.com/wp/2005/10/08/who-made-my-kenmore/)

It was made in 2004 and we bought it used in 2006. It's been flawless-- no problems with any part of it. The clothes are spun so hard that they're nearly dry, and can easily be hung up on a line to finish drying in less than an hour. The machine has never given us any problems with drains or hoses or pumps or any of the flooding disasters glitches of top-loaders.  I know that Kenmores can be hard to get parts for, let alone repair, but this has needed neither in nearly a decade.  I know that some front-loaders have earned their bad reputations. This model appears to be the exception to that trend.

If you get a washing machine that's all knobs & mechanical switches, they tend to be more rugged and easier to repair.  If they have electronics boards for their membrane buttons and LED readouts, then they tend to be more fragile and expensive to repair.  A surge suppressor is probably also a good idea.

Simple Abundant Living

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2014, 10:05:51 PM »
I happened upon a Home Depot scratch and dent sale and got a mis matched set of LG steam front loader washer/dryer (washer is red, dryer is white for $1000 total. They were new in box, but had been found in a pre-inventory sale and they no longer carried them in stock. I also got rebates from my utility companies for energy saving appliances.

I got them for my teens to use in the basement, but they are nicer than my main set!

Blindsquirrel

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2014, 07:34:38 AM »
   CL and buy a front loader if you can. The front loaders use a ton less water and energy and the clothes come out almost dry which saves time in the dryer or on the line. We paid $275 for a Whirlpool Duet off CL 3 years ago and really like it.

Shropskr

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2014, 09:12:02 PM »
The ones on Craigslist had bad reviews. Coulda waited but figured I had two weeks before having to go to the laundry mat.   Found a best rated set in the clearance section of my favorite appliance store.  I got them to throw in free delivery.  Also found a rebate on them from the utilities.  So it's done.  Less than it coulda been but not best.   I'm happy.  Also looking forward to the reduction in water usage.  As I'm going from a top loader old to a front loader.

Bbqmustache

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Re: Dead washing machine-- new front load or craigslist
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2014, 03:24:04 AM »
Great that a little research saved you some money; Happy Washing!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!