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Thread Number: 14597
Kenmore Front Loader |
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Post# 248180 11/13/2007 at 14:37 (6,005 days old) by countryguy  (Astorville, ON, Canada) |
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A colleague here at work was just telling me about the hassle she is going through with Sears (in Canada). Two years ago she bought a new Kenmore front loader (not the He series but the smaller ones, made by Frigidaire). The washer just broke down, she had a repairman out and he said the bearings had seized (or something like that). The washer is no longer under warranty. He would supply the parts at no charge but the labour would be $300 to repair. She is in a dilema as to what to do as she has been told that these washers are prone to having problems. If she gets it fixed will it break down again within a few months...or should she buy a new washer. She decided she was going to get it repaired. She called Sears service department to let them know and now they want to charge her for another service call even though she already paid for the first service call. She called the store manager and he said he would look after it. That was 5 days ago and still no word back from them. Should she get it repaired or is she asking for more troubles?
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| Post# 248182 , Reply# 1 11/13/2007 at 15:06 (6,005 days old) by funguy10 () | ||
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Tell her to just get a new washer. Fridgidaire is the most el-cheapo brand of washer and dryer in the USA. This obviously means they break down often. Tell her to make sure the new washer has not been Fridgidaire-made. | ||
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Post# 248186 , Reply# 2 11/13/2007 at 15:42 (6,005 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains) |
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Gary,
There are a couple of points to be considered here. Funguy tends to shoot from the hip, to put it mildly. This series is one of the oldest and most reliable of the FLs available in the United States. It has frequently been given quite good ratings by various test organizations. True, there have been several problems over the years. The most serious of them have all been addressed: -Static discharge on controller boards led to program interruptions. Fixed. -Door interlock fails right out of warranty. Fixed. -Bearing seizure. Fixed and only a problem with a small number of machines, caused by an idiot-young-dynamic-manager-penny-pincher. This series is well designed and had the teething problems worked out. It is possible (check the serial number) that this machine's premature failure is, indeed, do to it having that lousy bearing (just because she bought it two years ago does not mean it was built two years ago, it could be a few years older). If that is the case, then there should still be a chance to get it repaired for free. I'd check with Sears headquarters and Electrolux on that. A more likely cause of the failure is that she either used chlorine bleach frequently and or "normal" American detergents. The suds from these detergents gets into the bearing and destroys it. Chlorine bleach should not be used very often, if at all for the simple reason that the "spider" (the part which takes the load when the drum is turned) is made of aluminum and this metal is eaten by chlorine. The real question is, does she otherwise like this machine? If so, and the repair is covered by that defective part, then yes! Otherwise, I think a repair that is now approaching $400 for a machine which you can frequently buy new for less than $500 is too much. Gosh, funguy, give it a rest, will you? We all know you don't like Europeans, front loaders or people who don't rush to do your bidding. You so very often have interesting, creative things to contribute, but sometimes you really act your age! Just because a machine is not the most expensive on the market does not mean it is poorly made. Indeed, many of the most expensive American FLs of the last 10 years turned out to be pieces of shit. | ||
| Post# 248210 , Reply# 4 11/13/2007 at 18:48 (6,005 days old) by decodriveboy (FL, US) | ||
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I have Frigidaire appliances including the FL 2140 set and am very pleased. I would recommend them for the OP's friend. Just because a product is new and expensive (meaning: a piece of gimmicky, overpriced JUNK) does not make it better. | ||
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Post# 248214 , Reply# 5 11/13/2007 at 19:29 (6,005 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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My branded Gibson FL | ||
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Post# 248221 , Reply# 7 11/13/2007 at 20:13 (6,005 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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hmm...
There may be a third option too. I do see alot of these not-so-old front loaders for sale on Craigslist that appear to be just fine. Perhaps they could purchase a used one from someone for really cheap. Just check it out first to make sure it sounds ok. I've seen people selling them for under $100. Just a thought though. Jon | ||
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Post# 248286 , Reply# 9 11/14/2007 at 07:26 (6,004 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada) |
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Post# 248306 , Reply# 11 11/14/2007 at 10:23 (6,004 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains) |
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Actually,
Electrolux has serial numbers for the affected machines, since Sears has become such a shit-hole operation, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they had sold her one of the recalled models. Definitely, definitely, she should make some noise about this. A polite letter to Electolux/Frigidaire and one to Sears management won't hurt. Here in Europe, Electrolux instituted an extended warranty for the "drive train" parts on this series to restore their reputation, it is possible that they would help her out in the States if she asks nicely. And let this be a lesson (yet another one) to all of us: Sears today has nothing to do with Sears of the past. Better to save the money and buy at the local no-service discount store - at least there you know what you are getting into. | ||
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Post# 248317 , Reply# 12 11/14/2007 at 12:22 (6,004 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada) |
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The washer is definitely only 2 years old. My colleague paid for it with Sears 24 no interest equal monthly payments and she just made the last payment a month or so ago. She is not thrilled about having to pay $300 for repairs nor is she too excited about having to spend another $1000-$1500 for another front loader. And because she has the dryer stacked on the washer, she is limited to the type of washer she can buy otherwise she is looking at having to buy another dryer also, which btw she purchased at the same time as the washer. Gary | ||
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Post# 248319 , Reply# 13 11/14/2007 at 12:23 (6,004 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Better yet, buy from an independent dealer. They treat you well and generally give great service. One of the three indie dealers in my little burg has just added LG appliances to their store. Since they provide service for their other lines (KitchenAid/Whirlpool), I'm guessing they will also repair LG's. The TOL front-loader with the steam option---in red, no less---is in the store window, screaming out my name every time I drive by. When I get some time I want to go in and check out the whole LG line. | ||
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Post# 248420 , Reply# 14 11/15/2007 at 09:30 (6,003 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD) |
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Countryguy, all the more reason for her to raise some polite hell. What a bite in the butt, make the last payment and the bearing goes. I would have the internet wallpapered with the details of that story. | ||
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Post# 248437 , Reply# 15 11/15/2007 at 11:14 (6,003 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada) |
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Post# 248441 , Reply# 16 11/15/2007 at 11:34 (6,003 days old) by estesguy (kansas) |
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I found this to be an interesting video on Kenmore front loaders CLICK HERE TO GO TO estesguy's LINK | ||
| Post# 248471 , Reply# 19 11/15/2007 at 15:10 (6,003 days old) by funguy10 () | ||
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Hey, estesguy, I think that video was a wrong link. Just pointing it out for you. | ||
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Post# 248477 , Reply# 20 11/15/2007 at 15:59 (6,003 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains) |
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That's beyond belief
OK, and that was exactly the period of time when Electrolux was suffering from the young-dynamic-manager syndrome. Those models had both motor and bearing problems, depending on the exact unit. I bet she can win this one, there is enough documentation out there of this problem. Sears knows of it, again - a polite letter to headquarters will work wonders. It is such a shame, really - I see her writing the last check and the washer goes "clunk". Again, these machines are really quite good and reliable...hell, I wouldn't be surprised if this 1999 unit had been held back exactly for this reason and some in-duh-vi-dual decided to sell it. I would definitely raise that point, beginning with the local Sears management. A quick Google search will turn up lots of info. on this. | ||
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