Thread Number: 24785
Kenmore 500 series 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 383136   10/5/2009 at 19:32 (5,310 days old) by rll70sman (Hastings, Minnesota)        

I may have mentioned a time or two on here that I had replaced a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II washer from 2002 because the transmission was leaking into the wash tub and staining my clothes. A reputable repair technician claimed it wasn't worth fixing so I replaced it with a Kenmore 500 series top loader. It is a fairly basic washer with the three usual cycles (regular, permanent press, and delicate), five water levels, a fabric softener dispenser, and an extra rinse option.

Well, here we are six months later and the machine already needs repair and/or adjustment. The automatic temperature control is screwed up, the delicate cycle agitates intermittently at high speed and spins at high speed, and the wash tub has always leaned to the right side during operation. I brought all this to the attention of Sears customer service tonight and they are recommending a technician come out and inspect the machine. I wash two, maybe three loads of clothes a week and take extra care of my machine. I actually underload it to get a clean and well-rinsed wash. What has happened to Kenmore/Whirlpool quality? Has anyone else encountered problems on this or similar machines? Unbelievable!




Post# 383146 , Reply# 1   10/5/2009 at 21:14 (5,309 days old) by maytagmightyjj ()        
Are you sure it's made by Whirlpool?

 I know Whirlpool used to make all of Sears appliances, but they use different manufacturers now. I believe I read somewhere if the model number begins with 101- it is a Whirlpool manufactured product.

I bought a Maytag (Whirltag) last year and June and it has worked perfectly-- not a minutes trouble.

Sears might take that machine back if you push them enough- I hope you get it working correctly soon--

Post# 383148 , Reply# 2   10/5/2009 at 21:36 (5,309 days old) by kqkenmore (memphis tn)        

kqkenmore's profile picture
Get them to take care of you now if you are having issues with the service dept then call customer solutions at 1-800-479-5899. I had to do the same thing with my oasis because I had it just over a year and I made them replace it because it would not work and they could not fix it so they replaced it with a Samsung front loader and I have had a hell of a time getting them to fix the dryer so they are repalcing that after a fight but I am getting a matching Samsung Dryer Wed.The sales lady that I have dealt with all of these years steared my away from Kenmore she said that they are just not that good anymore.ever since K-Mart got a hold on Sears there are just the worst.

Post# 383324 , Reply# 3   10/6/2009 at 17:32 (5,309 days old) by kenmore81 ()        
Leans to the Right.....

 My 1996 90 series electronic did that I had the xtened service on it so they replaced the suspention on it and it leaned again so far right that the foam "Quiet-Pack" insulation rubbed on the bleach/fab softener dispenser so I trimmed the fom and said the hell with it and it ran 3-4 loads a day for almost 9 years untill I wore out a few buttons on the touch pad. Other than that I replaced the 5 dollar drive couple after dad decided to wash 3 pillows with his sheets. My friends 89 70 series has run nonstop also without a single repair but it to leans a bit to the right but I have alot of those in the family lol and no one elses leans.

Post# 384959 , Reply# 4   10/13/2009 at 14:24 (5,302 days old) by rll70sman (Hastings, Minnesota)        

Well, as of last Thursday, I purchased a new Whirlpool top loader from a friendly and knowledgeable appliance dealer here in town that's been in business for over 75 years. The machine is a discontinued model from last year in the popular "bisque" color with the same features as the Kenmore but with a true two-speed motor that actually agitates and spins at a slow speed on the delicate cycle; has an automatic water temperature control that actually works; and doesn't have a tub suspension system that's all screwed up right out of the box.

Anyway, the total price of this new machine with tax and delivery cost the same as the Kenmore BEFORE tax, delivery, and disposal fees! I should've bought from this dealer to begin with! Live and learn, I guess. I made sure that Sears was fully aware that they lost a loyal customer when it comes to appliance purchases. They are sending me a $25.00 gift card for any inconvenience....

Also, I thought it was interesting when the salesman told me that all the major appliance manufacturers have moved away from the designer colors in top-load washer/dryer pairs in their push to get people to buy front loaders available in all kinds of crazy colors.

Post# 384967 , Reply# 5   10/13/2009 at 14:42 (5,302 days old) by kenmore81 ()        
Congrats!!

 I hope the new washer works like the Kenmore should have.
I agree with you about Sears they are just not like they used to be, I also along with most of my family have been a "sears best customer" sence 1992 but sence 2005 when I had to have service on my 2004 fridge I was very dissapointed. I got the xtened warranty and they are supposed to cover up to 200.00 in food loss and what a hassel and a half getting them to do it.One excuse after another about why they couldnt do it.

Post# 384975 , Reply# 6   10/13/2009 at 15:10 (5,302 days old) by rll70sman (Hastings, Minnesota)        

Thanks, Kenny :-). If unemployment wasn't an issue right now, I would have purchased a Speed Queen washer/dryer pair, but at a $1,300.00 total price tag I just couldn't justify it. Whirlpool is always near the top of my list of appliance picks, anyway. Hopefully, this machine will last a long time with the proper care.

I'm sorry to hear about the runaround Sears has given you regarding your fridge. I thought extended warranties were supposed to provide extra protection in the event of a breakdown. It's no wonder why the company has lost so much of its market share with increasingly shoddy products and lackluster customer service.

Post# 385005 , Reply# 7   10/13/2009 at 16:11 (5,302 days old) by kenmore81 ()        

Welcome :). Whirlpool is near the top of my list too,but I wouldn't mind having a SQ of any type =). As for Sears the USED to be really great with thier extended warranties and such, a sign of the times I guess but the fridge still breaks down faithfully every 6-9 months so its still cheaper to pay 130 bucks every 2 years for the washe and fridge than to fix them or buy new ones(washr has only seen 2 repiars in 5 years 1 major 1 minor),Even if I fixed the fridge myself the warranty has paid off but in july last when they couldn't get here for 8 days they should have had no prob sending 200 bucks for the food at least but what a hassle. And to compensate for the hassle they said theyd send a coupon for 10% off my next purchase via e-mail. I thought ok cool. Ya not so much it was 2 coupons for 5% off a 50.00 purch,1 online 1 instore I was like This is a joke isnt it?NOT lol.


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