Thread Number: 9764
Maytag Dependable Care Washers Extinct
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Post# 180458   1/3/2007 at 12:27 (6,294 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

John told me last night about a customer who has some narrow 26 inch space for a washer. A 70s Maytag is in there now, but it is beyond repairing so she just wanted a new Maytag. After lots of calling around, he has reached the conclusion that there is no Dependable Care machine in stock any place in our area, nor do any of the wholesalers have any. This just might be the last call, the final roundup, the genuine Maytag washer's swan song. Has anyone heard a fat lady singing? That would make it just about official. Sad. I wonder how long parts are going to be available. It's already been years since you could buy the old-style transmission. Imagine not being able to restore a Maytag washer because parts were not available! What a world. What a world.




Post# 180462 , Reply# 1   1/3/2007 at 12:45 (6,294 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
The LAV model is still on the website at Maytag.com - Pete just ordered one from a dealer, did John try to order one and couldn't get it?

Stock up on the Maytag parts!


Post# 180463 , Reply# 2   1/3/2007 at 12:46 (6,294 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Link to the Dependable Care model

CLICK HERE TO GO TO gansky1's LINK


Post# 180464 , Reply# 3   1/3/2007 at 13:02 (6,294 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa)        

runematic's profile picture
They are still available. I'm not sure about wholesalers, I buy directly from WP. My local RDC has close to 300 in stock with more on the way. I did see a model transition chart that showed the model going awaysometime around Feb but did not list an exact date. What a shame.

Post# 180495 , Reply# 4   1/3/2007 at 17:03 (6,294 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

I would rather buy this particular model than any of the other toploading machines offered now (except perhaps the Fisher & Paykel)....

Post# 180626 , Reply# 5   1/4/2007 at 02:31 (6,293 days old) by sactoteddybear ()        
Re: Maytag Dependable Care Washer:

I just saw a Dependable Care Washer at a local Appliance Dealer on Wednesday. It is just like the one that they advertise on the Maytag Site and the Model Number is: LAV3600A, according to the Maytag Site Model listed. There wasn't anyone around the Sales Floor at the time that I was looking around to see what else they had new, since I was last there earlier last year, so I couldn't ask if they had some in Stock, or if they could still order any for Customers. I will be going back there into the area soon, so I will check to see what they say.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...


Post# 180659 , Reply# 6   1/4/2007 at 08:37 (6,293 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

John did some further looking and did find the one model available. I am sorry to have needlessly alarmed everyone. The little Samsung made compact front loader is no longer being made for Maytag so it's just what's in inventory. I want to find one of those on a clearance sale cheap. They have a pair on the floor at EXPO, but I don't recall seeing them at HD last time I was there. It sure looks like a better machine than that sad WP compact front load washer. Has anyone used the little Maytag?

Post# 180660 , Reply# 7   1/4/2007 at 08:44 (6,293 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Just got one a couple months ago

gadgetgary's profile picture
I was worried about them becoming extinct.



Post# 180706 , Reply# 8   1/4/2007 at 12:47 (6,293 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa)        

runematic's profile picture
That little FL (MAH2400AWW) is a nice washer. I only sold a few of 'em but the feedback has been extremely positive. I had sold a pair to an older couple. They were so pleased with the washer that they baked us cookies! I love customers like that. I just checked Maytag's inventory on these. It's still pretty heavy. I didn't see any discounts being taken off the wholesale price yet.

Post# 181236 , Reply# 9   1/6/2007 at 23:10 (6,291 days old) by wmlask (Spring Grove, IL)        
LAV3600A

Does anyone know if the LAV3600 has a metal porcelain coated outer tub or is it now made of plastic?


Post# 181500 , Reply# 10   1/7/2007 at 23:08 (6,290 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
LAV3600A

gadgetgary's profile picture
Does anyone know if the LAV3600 has a metal porcelain coated outer tub or is it now made of plastic?

Here is a pic of mine:



Post# 181722 , Reply# 11   1/8/2007 at 21:05 (6,289 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
That be porcelain.

Post# 181837 , Reply# 12   1/9/2007 at 11:14 (6,288 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Gary

pdub's profile picture
Love your new Maytag washer. The only thing I would miss is
the choice of a warm rinse. That is so cool to see how close
they are to the old center dial machines inside the cabinet.
Thanks for the photos.

Patrick


Post# 181853 , Reply# 13   1/9/2007 at 12:46 (6,288 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
That model should be around for a while. The coin-op machines are still available and the plan is to keep them around for a while longer.

Post# 181859 , Reply# 14   1/9/2007 at 14:07 (6,288 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Patrick

gadgetgary's profile picture
It was my pleasure to show and tell......


Glad you enjoyed.


Post# 181896 , Reply# 15   1/9/2007 at 15:38 (6,288 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

No need to be shy...

Post# 181916 , Reply# 16   1/9/2007 at 16:20 (6,288 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Here's one on eBay. This is the previous model (LAT3600). I think this one still has the warm rinse option.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO foraloysius's LINK on eBay


Post# 181939 , Reply# 17   1/9/2007 at 17:52 (6,288 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

Wow, that's only halfway out on the island, by the ferry....

Post# 182000 , Reply# 18   1/9/2007 at 21:22 (6,288 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
I think this one still has the warm rinse option.

gadgetgary's profile picture
What are the advantages to using a warm rinse? Have always used cold rinse.


Post# 182004 , Reply# 19   1/9/2007 at 21:34 (6,288 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

I know it's good for wool....

Post# 182012 , Reply# 20   1/9/2007 at 21:52 (6,288 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Warm rinses for wool are only good if one washed the wool in warm water. Sudden changes in temp can cause wool to shrink/felt. In fact one is best off using cold water to both wash and rinse wool. Warm water was better for washing wool when soap was the only product around for the task. Woolite, and other SLS/surfactant based products clean wool quite well in cold water.

Warm water rinses, were widely used when soap was the main "detergent" for laundry. Even after detergents came on the scene housewives still used/prefered warm water rinses at least for whites/colourfast items as it was believed warm water rinsed better. Warm water does rinse soap better, but cold water is fine for today's modern detergents. When using soap one does not wish for textile fibers to "contract" suddenly, trappping dirt/muck and soap residue within fabrics.
IIRC once the "energy crisis" of the 1970's hit, warm water rinse options began to fade from washing machines. You certianly wouldn't get one past the "Feds" today.

L.


Post# 182035 , Reply# 21   1/9/2007 at 22:11 (6,288 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Laundress

gadgetgary's profile picture
TYVM for your expertise.

Much appreciated!


Post# 182690 , Reply# 22   1/12/2007 at 08:55 (6,285 days old) by irishwashguy (Salem,Oregon.............A Capital City)        
I know that they are clearing them out

irishwashguy's profile picture
I listen to KOMO, it only comes in at night here in Portland, I heard that the Maytag store in the Seattle area is clearing out all of the 'old' models for 2006 to make way for 2007.EEK! I thought to myself. "Get rid of --all-- of your ratty old appliances and come to the Maytag store where we only sell appliances not garding tools"the comercial said. So, get them before they go away forever. I am a little courious what the new stuff will be like(perhaps a rebadged KitchenAid with a DD perhaps?)My Maytag dealer(Division Maytag) down the street from me that has been there since 1937 has also moved to smaller quarters.HMMMM.Lots of changes.

Post# 184071 , Reply# 23   1/18/2007 at 17:32 (6,279 days old) by cehalstead (Charleston, WV)        
confirming bad news

Just made a visit to my local Maytag dealer, and found more confimation of what we had all feared....the Dependable Care Maytag is indeed dead. They have several in stock, but cannot get any more. The salesman told me "they were very concerned with what Whirlpool was going to offer under the Maytag name". He said that in the beginning, WP had told the dealers that they were going to bring back the Maytage quality, but the few new Whirtags (and that's what he called them!!!!!!) they had seen were nothing but WP's rebadged. It's a sad day for all of us Maytag fans.

Post# 184115 , Reply# 24   1/18/2007 at 19:03 (6,279 days old) by gefliterflo ()        

I have a similar setup to your washer on the inside on my Atlantis. The outer tub is indeed plastic, atleast on mine.

Post# 184145 , Reply# 25   1/18/2007 at 20:49 (6,279 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

johnb300m's profile picture
what a wonderfully simple washer! how could anyone NOT want to produce that? how is it "too" expensive? There's nothing in there.
the WP DDs look way more complex than that Maytag. What gives?
You'd think WP would adopt the Dependable Care model. It's a smarter move.


Post# 184152 , Reply# 26   1/18/2007 at 21:05 (6,279 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

johnb300m's profile picture
what kind of a transmission does that machine have? it looks funnel shaped? how does it work? does it spin like the old counterweighted trans?

Post# 184340 , Reply# 27   1/19/2007 at 10:52 (6,278 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Hey guys, I've seen a lot written here about how today's Maytags are really Maypools or Maytanas or whatever, but like Patrick states in his post above, Gary's pic sure gives the impression that his machine has the same or similar mechanics to the wonderfully simple center dial models. So can anyone advise on when the last true Maytags (apparently that's "Dependable Care") were produced? I might opt for one of those as a quick and relatively inexpensive way to replace my Amana while I wait for a windfall so I can buy myself a FL pair.
Ralph


Post# 184343 , Reply# 28   1/19/2007 at 11:14 (6,278 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Ralph,

gadgetgary's profile picture
'Gary's pic sure gives the impression that his machine has the same or similar mechanics to the wonderfully simple center dial models'.

I believe your statement is true. That is why I decided to get the Maytag DC before it disappeared. I think it has the same mechanism of the center dials of yesteryear....very simple.


Post# 184347 , Reply# 29   1/19/2007 at 11:23 (6,278 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Thanks Gary, I will have to be on the lookout for this model. I presume the capacity won't be as large as my Amana's though, right?

Post# 184351 , Reply# 30   1/19/2007 at 11:33 (6,278 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Ralph,

gadgetgary's profile picture
I believe that the capacity is the same.


Post# 184353 , Reply# 31   1/19/2007 at 11:34 (6,278 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
Another shot...

gadgetgary's profile picture
Inside

Post# 184354 , Reply# 32   1/19/2007 at 11:36 (6,278 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
No, the center dial Maytags had the original 180* washing arc to the agitation stroke. Maytag kept this transmission for the first 2 model years when they moved the dial to the side and redesigned the control panel. After that, they went to the orbital transmission with the 90* short, fast agitation stroke and started calling the machines "dependable care". Everything is the same, including the famous Maytag "Helical Drive", but the transmissions, agitation and agitators are different.

Post# 184362 , Reply# 33   1/19/2007 at 12:23 (6,278 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        

llmaytag's profile picture
Love that tub size. Wish I still had mine, except that I prefer 12 vane non-spiral agitator. I think all new top loaders have the 90 degree turn agitation. I'd think that would be easier on the transmission and the clothes, but perhaps not.

Now I want to find an existing model despite my new Whirlpool.


Post# 184363 , Reply# 34   1/19/2007 at 12:39 (6,278 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        
Out-of-Balance/Lid Switch

llmaytag's profile picture
Hey, I just noticed something from that pic. Is and out-of-balance spin stopped by tripping the lid switch with vertical extension on the white tub ring, (or whatever it's called)? Very simple and elegant design! Of course if someone tried to permanently bypass the lidswitch, it could be a problem during a realy out-of-balance spin.

Post# 184374 , Reply# 35   1/19/2007 at 13:45 (6,278 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Yes, that is exactly how it works. One bump and your are shut down.

People who disengage washing machine lid switches generally don't have out of balance situations -- in the washer that is... :)


Post# 184402 , Reply# 36   1/19/2007 at 17:57 (6,278 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Pete, thanks for that info on transmission and agitation stroke. I think my Amana has the 180 degree action and personally I like the sound of the longer stroke on a washer. The short stroke machines sound hyper and like they have no cajones. So I guess it's center dial for me if I come across one, or early brown panel models. Thanks again for the info. I do see the brown panel type in the thrift stores still, but center dials have pretty much dropped off the radar out there.

Post# 184410 , Reply# 37   1/19/2007 at 19:25 (6,278 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Ralph, Gary's Maytag has the 2.9 cu. ft. tub. (their Large Capacity). You Amana (and Altantas washers0 has between 3.0 & 3.3 cu. ft.

Post# 184554 , Reply# 38   1/20/2007 at 14:17 (6,277 days old) by sambootoo (Moody, AL)        

I know the orbital transmission has been in production for several years now. How's the quality compared to the old long stroke Maytag transmissions? I've priced the new Maytag LAV3600 at a local dealer and am SOOO tempted to bite the bullet and buy it (would have to be ordered from Atlanta.) Do you think parts will be available for a while?

Post# 184564 , Reply# 39   1/20/2007 at 14:55 (6,277 days old) by sambootoo (Moody, AL)        

I know the orbital transmession has been in production for several years now. How does reliability compare with the old long stroke Maytag transmissions? I've priced the LAV3600 from a local dealer and am soooo tempted to bite the bullet and buy it while they're still available. Do those of you in the know think parts will be available for a while yet?

Post# 184575 , Reply# 40   1/20/2007 at 16:24 (6,277 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Thanks Bob, I didn't realize the difference in tub size was that minimal. Makes the DC models a worthwhile and much more reliable alternative.

Ralph


Post# 184583 , Reply# 41   1/20/2007 at 16:54 (6,277 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        
Sambootoo

llmaytag's profile picture
What price were you quoted? For the DC?

Post# 184584 , Reply# 42   1/20/2007 at 16:55 (6,277 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        
Sambootoo

llmaytag's profile picture
What price were you quoted? For the DC?

Post# 184613 , Reply# 43   1/20/2007 at 18:21 (6,277 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

johnb300m's profile picture
does that Maytag corkscrew agitator have a ratcheting action like WPs? I thought I saw a commercial several years ago when that agitator was released, where the spiral actually turns continuously.....what's it about?

Post# 184634 , Reply# 44   1/20/2007 at 19:15 (6,277 days old) by washernut ()        

Has anyone here had an Atlantis? I had one and had nothing but trouble with it....9 out of 10 times the clothes would come out dripping wet instead of damp. So I got rid of it and got the Top loading Neptune...talk about out of the frying pan into the fire...lol

Post# 184684 , Reply# 45   1/20/2007 at 22:22 (6,277 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        
Maytag Atlantis (and the Top-load Neptune)

llmaytag's profile picture
Funny, I was thinking of this recently when I saw video of someone's WP Cabrio. My Mom has a four year old Atlantis with polymer tub and has had no problems. A female friend has a five year old one with stainless steel tub and has had no problems. I actually like the slanted front. A friend was telling me that he has a three year old Ensignia model and has similar problems with wet clothes.

I'm pretty sure the Atlantis and similar 3.3 cubic foot tub models use only one belt instead of two. Further, I think the transmission pulleys on these one-belt models is plastic or polymer instead of steel. I'm not an engineer, but it seems to me that one belt instead of two means much less contact between the belt and each pulley. This, along with the added weight of a larger tub when filled, must make it less likely that the belt will get the tub up to speed.

Knowing that Maytag engineered the belt and pulley to allow the some "slip" so that a clutch wouldn't be necessary, to reduce to one belt would be a bit risky, but I know two people who haven't had problems.

Top-load Neptune - That model seemed strange, but so did the WP Calypso models. How bad was it?


Post# 184697 , Reply# 46   1/20/2007 at 23:57 (6,277 days old) by laundryshark (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)        

I realize this crosses over from the vintage washers section, but I actually like the older dials with the red light on top. Furthermore, I would be interested in collecting some sounds and/or video (Windows Media compatible) of the various Maytag models and variants of any age.--Laundry Shark

Post# 184735 , Reply# 47   1/21/2007 at 09:21 (6,276 days old) by sambootoo (Moody, AL)        

I was quoted $589.00 plus tax from a local Maytag dealer. As mentioned, the washer would have to be ordered from Atlanta.

Post# 184748 , Reply# 48   1/21/2007 at 10:41 (6,276 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
does that Maytag corkscrew agitator have a ratcheting action

gadgetgary's profile picture
Yes, corkscrew ratcheting action.

Mine was about $610 w/tax.


Post# 185014 , Reply# 49   1/22/2007 at 15:14 (6,275 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
"I know the orbital transmession has been in production for several years now. How does reliability compare with the old long stroke Maytag transmissions?"

The reliability is a bit shorter, but not much. Remember that they changed to this transmission in the era of cutting production costs. It is still a good transmission, easily servicable, and in use in thousands of coin-op machines.

"Do those of you in the know think parts will be available for a while yet?"

They have to be, or else they will loose major market share with thousands of coin-op owners.

"I didn't realize the difference in tub size was that minimal. Makes the DC models a worthwhile and much more reliable alternative."

In a frontloader, that difference is minimal, but in a topload, it makes much more a difference. The 3.3 Amana can do much more laundry that the 2.9 Maytag DC. The capacity plus the agitation stroke makes it so.

-----

The LAV model lists the "Flex Care" agitator. Is that the auger agitator or the new name for the Power Fin 12?



Post# 185015 , Reply# 50   1/22/2007 at 15:20 (6,275 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
"does that Maytag corkscrew agitator have a ratcheting action like WPs? I thought I saw a commercial several years ago when that agitator was released, where the spiral actually turns continuously.....what's it about?"

Ratcheting... Maytag bosted that their "Load Sensor" agitator would twist longer or shorter depending on the size of the load being washed. However it is powered by the occilating of the base of the agitator and therefore cannot turn in a positive direction when the base turned in the opposite direction, nor does it turn much more than the positive stroke of the base.



Post# 185022 , Reply# 51   1/22/2007 at 15:49 (6,275 days old) by westytoploader ()        

That happens with all corkscrew-equipped machines. When a direct-drive Kenmore is agitating with water and no clothes...you'll see that since there's nothing to slow the movement of the corkscrew, it appears that it is spinning around. However, before I chopped the LoadSensor, it never did that. Sounds like more marketing hype to me, but whatever sells!

Post# 185048 , Reply# 52   1/22/2007 at 17:02 (6,275 days old) by washernut ()        

llmaytag,
To answer your question How bad is the Neptune T/L?...It really isn't a bad machine it's just a different kind of animal. You have to learn what you can do and what you can't do. First of all if any of you or your friends have underwire bras DO NOT put them in a Neptune TL! One side will go east and one side will go west..lol. Also, you can't really do large amounts of sheets in them even though they have a huge capacity. They will just wind them up into a rope and they're virtually impossible to get out of the washer. For small mixed loads they're wonderful. They wash well, rinse well and spin out virtually damp dry! For people like most of us with more than one washer they're fine but, if it's the only washer you have...you'll do some handwashing.


Post# 185067 , Reply# 53   1/22/2007 at 18:59 (6,275 days old) by rolltideroll ()        

I will cherish the day when I do not have to see another Maytag washer. They ALL suck. I know that the older ones were well built but most if not all of them have their problems down on tye brake package or trans but thats cause they are old. But the new stuff, like Performa and Atlantis crap, well they do really suck. Even my local Maytag dealer says thesame about them. He has them coming back with wore out trans and water leaks everyday with the things still in warranty. I agree with him. he is looking to get out of his contract with whoever he is in it with so he can sell another brand and get Maytags sticker off his store window. Maytag? What a joke.

Post# 185110 , Reply# 54   1/22/2007 at 20:29 (6,275 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

Worse than GE, in your opinion?

Post# 185200 , Reply# 55   1/23/2007 at 09:06 (6,274 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Must be worse than GE. At least GE has the chutzpah to put a coin meter on their machines and sell them to laundromats and has made a commitment to get back into the commercial laundry game. Maytag never had the guts to do this with any machine except the LAV based model. That right there says a ton.

Post# 185378 , Reply# 56   1/24/2007 at 03:44 (6,273 days old) by brettsomers ()        

"a smooth, quiet spin cycle has always been a Maytag hallmark."

CLICK HERE TO GO TO brettsomers's LINK


Post# 185392 , Reply# 57   1/24/2007 at 06:19 (6,273 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

I can't tell you how annoyed I am with Maytag.

If I had to buy a new TL, I'd be tempted to buy a Frigidaire or a GE, just out of spite!


Post# 185396 , Reply# 58   1/24/2007 at 06:40 (6,273 days old) by manor07 ()        

What about the maytag (non-neptpune) stack units? What transmission etc. do they use????

Post# 185415 , Reply# 59   1/24/2007 at 09:22 (6,273 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Orbital

Post# 185457 , Reply# 60   1/24/2007 at 12:46 (6,273 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Wow, if Maytag is worse than even GE, that is a very sad commentary. I steer clear of anything GE, but never thought I'd have to question Maytag. Something is very wrong when one manufacturer can buy up others, eliminate proven technology and reduce the number of choices for the consumer. What happened to the customer being king? Now we are mere pawns. This merger mania needs to be stopped!

Post# 185466 , Reply# 61   1/24/2007 at 13:29 (6,273 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa)        

runematic's profile picture
The stackers used the orbital. Unfortunately the LSE7806 dependable care-base unit has been discontinued and will be replaced by a whirlclone dd. There still are a lot of the LSE7806 available from the factory. It'll be a shame to see these go away.

Post# 185481 , Reply# 62   1/24/2007 at 14:06 (6,273 days old) by agiflow ()        

'What happened to the customer being king? Now we are mere pawns. This merger mania needs to be stopped'


This is capitalism at it's greedy best. More and more we are having our choices dictated to us. As another poster pointed out in another thread, manufacturers are telling consumers to take this and be happy with what we give you and live with it...very sad indeed :(


Post# 186388 , Reply# 63   1/27/2007 at 09:43 (6,270 days old) by llmaytag (Southern California)        
GadgetGary's New Machine

llmaytag's profile picture
Gary,

How's it working out for you? I'm thinking of getting one even though I have the new Whirlpool.



Post# 186603 , Reply# 64   1/28/2007 at 01:53 (6,270 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        
smooth spin

johnb300m's profile picture
they're not lying.
Maytag machines have always had some of the quietest spin cycles that i've heard.
the commercial washers i use have a virtually silent spin. they must have good motors, cuz our 1982 LA511 has a LOUD motor. I'm not sure if it's ready to fail or not. But other than the loud motor hum, the spin is still smooth as silk.


Post# 186608 , Reply# 65   1/28/2007 at 02:05 (6,270 days old) by pturo (Syracuse, New York)        

I just dont think there is much argument valid against the fact that Maytag ruled in terms of dependability, engineering, and ease of service. Those machines are still around today from the late 50's to the 90's with the same internal design. It was and will always be the best designed washing machine for it's simplicity and performance. Highly more dependable than Whirlpool, which had a stupid wig wag clutch and terrible balance,and poor service record. Maytag should have bought Whirlpool to teach them how to build a washing machine. Maytag is/was the number one brand recogniton in surveys when consumers were asked to name a washing machine, Whilpool was second. I hate the fact that in this country any other company can swallow another good one with a hostile takeover. We used to have regional department stores like Marshall Fields and Filenes and May Company and Lord and Taylor...now it is all freeking Macys. What choice does that give consumers? What choice did the Whirlpool/Maytag buyout give consumers? We are a democratic country that is creating retail communism. Walmart and Macys are going to be our only choices, until Walmart buys Macys,and I am sure the US Attoney General will approve of that, too.

Post# 186623 , Reply# 66   1/28/2007 at 06:08 (6,269 days old) by agiflow ()        

Maybe you should check this site and see some of the finds that are WP /KM from the fifties that seem to run with very minor repairs. As far as WP/KM with poor reliability....they were the closest to Maytag.

Looks like WP is going to show how a modern Maytag should last.


Post# 186632 , Reply# 67   1/28/2007 at 07:30 (6,269 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Face facts, it was either Whirlpool, Haier or a private equity group who bought Maytag, but make no mistake the company was either going to be sold or fold. Sad but Maytag made too many mistakes for Wall Street and with it's stock price in the tank, lots of debt and an expensive union work force (nothing against unions) the hand writing was on the wall.

The only other salvation for Maytag would have been if some one with deep pockets and appliance experince/love of appliances bought Maytag and shook things up, but again with all the liabilites Maytag had, not many were interested. Those that were probably would have done what happened during the last M&A boom of the 1980's. Bought Maytag and sold off anything of value to make money.

Sure people go on about vintage Maytag's but those machines were from a different time and era. All that metal,chrome, stainless steel, porcelain, rust proof dips, multiple coats of coloured paint and so forth cost money. A top of the line Maytag from the 1960's or 1970's would probably cost almost one thousand dollars in today's money. In the current climate where top loading washing machines are on their way to becoming an endangered species, no company is going to tool out a plant to produce a washer that never can produce, much less sell enough units to recoup costs.

One of the real sad things about Whirlpool getting their mitts on Maytag, is all the great brand names under Maytag's umbrella that came with the deal. Hoover has been sold off, but there are enough historic appliance names left.

L.


Post# 186837 , Reply# 68   1/28/2007 at 20:32 (6,269 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

johnb300m's profile picture
Hoover was getting really shitty too. As awesome as Maytag was, in these past 5 years, the stuff they produced really was garbage. They lost their way. I, for one am very glad Whirlpool ate them. It's a much better scenario than Haier buying them. I have a Haier dishwasher in my apartment right now...and the only thing that is stopping me from tossing it out the window is that it doesn't belong to me.
It runs and washes OK....but it is THE WORST built appliance I have ever seen. The words fit and finish cannot go anywhere near this machine. Whirlpool's Durawash BOL machines are WAY WAY better than this piece of shit. The only thing that saves it is its GE pump system.

From what I see, Whirlpool is going to refresh the Maytag name and make it stand for what it used to. They're already off to a great start with the FL washers being Duet templates. The Duet is probably the best FL washer America can make. The Maytag Neptune was absolutely fantastic, better even, except...it's longevity just wasn't there.


Post# 186867 , Reply# 69   1/28/2007 at 21:45 (6,269 days old) by exploder3211 ()        

Our Maytag (amana-esque)dryer is great it my book... It works well.. Otherwise from what i've seen/heard/read of maytag products, they are not good at all.. What a shame... What would it cost to bring out another another belt drive d.w??

Post# 186889 , Reply# 70   1/28/2007 at 22:13 (6,269 days old) by nasadowsk ()        

I once stayed in a motel with a Haier fridge in it. The door wouldn't stay closed (It was level), so I ended up propping a phone book under it to keep it tilted back. What a POS.

Post# 186901 , Reply# 71   1/28/2007 at 22:45 (6,269 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

"Hoover was getting really shitty too."

In recent years, especially so. It used to be my favorite vacuum, but now they manufacture so many models that are so horrendous that, except for the delighful Constellation canister (outsourced), the decent Bagless Canister (outsourced as well, to LG), and one "Foldaway" model (the yellow one) whose main attribute is low price, I advise people to stay away from them.

Duros, Portable, Savvy, V2, Rewind, WindTunnel 2 Bagless....horrendous.

Tempo and Widepath Preferred Bagged...okay, but there are better choices for the money...

The Bagless Windtunnel 2 represents, design-wise, the final demented horror of what can happen when chintzy plastic, too many Star Wars reruns, and a destructive brushroll collide.

Whirlpool can at least reenergize and rebuild Maytag's name (if they can even be bothered, at this point).

Does anyone have much confidence that a company like TTI (or whoever) can resurrect Hoover's?

(Not a rhetorical question...can it be done? And could it actually get worse?)


Post# 186909 , Reply# 72   1/28/2007 at 23:03 (6,269 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Consumers have been conditoned to prefer "dirct drive" over belts as newer and better, thus one finds less and less demand for such items. Savvy consumers or those with a good appliance repair person around for advice however know that appliances with belts can go on forever as belts are easily replaced. When something goes out on a DD model, then most things considered it is better to chuck the thing out and by new.

L.



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