Estate Find: 1978 Maytag Washer and Dryer In Harvest Gold!

I found a nice matched pair 1978 Maytag washer and dryer in Harvest Gold at an estate sale last weekend. They were in the basement of a 1920's bungalow in Berwyn (just outside of Chicago). They look to be lower hour machines, no rust and very well cared for. The washer is a GA208 (date code AL, Jun. 1978 ) and the Dryer is a DE308 (date code AV, Nov. 1978).

I didn't plan on finding them, so I was unprepared to take them right on the spot last Saturday as I was just randomly driving past the home where the estate sale was. In fact, these machines weren't even being offered for sale. So I asked if the washer and dryer in the basement were for sale and everyone at the sale seemed confused as to why anyone would be interested in them. It was a large family run estate sale and everyone had to talk it over back and forth a few minutes among themselves if they should sell them and for what price. It originally started out as "have him make us an offer" and then someone said "$100 for both", but then it became "no, $100 each" by the time they all agreed when they came back to tell me. So I said sure for $200 for both, but couldn't get them until next week and asked if that would be a problem. They said no problem and we exchanged phone numbers at my request. Then it became a discussion of who should give their phone number up to this "stranger"... They said the sooner I can get them the better as they wanted to get the house listed on the market right away which proved to be a true situation. They said I don't need to bother paying until I come get them. I said sounds good and that I'll have help to remove them from the basement when I come back and that I also have an appliance dolly, but will call and let everyone know for sure on a pick up time. Even after all of this, it was somewhat awkward as they still seemed suspicious of me as to why someone was going to pay $200 for an old washer and dryer set.

So the following Monday (2 days after the sale), I gave the guy a call and he seemed surprised that I called, almost as though they thought I wasn't serious at the estate sale. I said I can come get them any time this week in the evening and he said "Oh that's good because we already brought them out of the basement, but we can hold them for you". My gut sank when he said that as I immediately feared that they were probably going to just scrap them and carelessly moved them, denting them up... So I said yes I'm still interested, you guys said $200 for the pair, right? And he paused... He goes "Yeah..... we did.... but let me check with my wife one more time and we'll call you back". I was kinda frustrated at that point. Likely they had to research these machines now that they knew I was serious and had to make sure they weren't worth some big money before finally agreeing to let them go for the already agreed price. Almost as though they thought I had some kind of hidden profit motive behind buying these. I didn't hear back until after 2 days, so by then I had already decided to just write it off as a lost cause as the family was being greedy. But then I got the phone call on Wednesday evening and the guy says "Ok, $200 it is, you can get them Friday after 5pm". I said that all sounds good, but had to ask one detail... I said "Please don't take offense to my asking, but since you guys already brought them out of the basement, I hope they didn't get scratched or dented in any way as they were really in excellent condition. I was hoping to move them myself as if anything went wrong it would be my responsibility". He said "oh no, we were careful nothing happened, you're good!"

So I arrived yesterday evening, the guy opens the garage and there they are, all by themselves in an otherwise empty garage. They looked good at first, but then when I got up close to the washer, the right side was all scarfed up and dented from what appears to have been them sliding it up the stairs to get it out of the house. Scratches through the paint in a few spots and a good scuff through the paint finish on the front panel and the schematic diagram label was ripped up on back, all of which was fresh damage that wasn't there when I looked at them. The dryer was free of damage at least... I didn't want to start any arguments, but I was pretty disappointed and the fact that the guy completely lied to me that "nothing happened" when I specifically voiced my concern about them getting dented up while being moved. I asked if they used a dolly to move them and he said they just carried them out by hand. I said oh ok, that's what I figured and just left it at that. I could tell if I got nit picky, the guy would end the deal with me, so I accepted it for what it was.
It grinds my gears when this sort of carelessness happens. They were perfect for 44 years until someone decided not to care because to them it's just old junk. Even me insisting that I move them myself wasn't enough to prevent that from happening. I guess the only way to prevent it was to have stopped everything I was doing that day and got them.

Sometimes things just don't go as perfectly as you hope, but aside from my frustrations, they're still a very nice looking set and they'll clean up well with minimal effort! These are pictures just as they are before I clean them up. I'll try to carefully pop the dents out and fix up the scratches the best I can too.

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 16 View Full Size


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Post# 1147757 4/30/2022 at 14:47 (726 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)
Checkrate/Likes 3 I found a nice matched pair 1978 Maytag washer and dryer in Harvest Gold at an estate sale last weekend. They were in the basement of a 1920's bungalow in Berwyn (just outside of Chicago). They look to be lower hour machines, no rust and very well cared for. The washer is a GA208 (date code AL, Jun. 1978 ) and the Dryer is a DE308 (date code AV, Nov. 1978). I didn't plan on finding them, so I was unprepared to take them right on the spot last Saturday as I was just randomly driving past the home where the estate sale was. In fact, these machines weren't even being offered for sale. So I asked if the washer and dryer in the basement were for sale and everyone at the sale seemed confused as to why anyone would be interested in them. It was a large family run estate sale and everyone had to talk it over back and forth a few minutes among themselves if they should sell them and for what price. It originally started out as "have him make us an offer" and then someone said "$100 for both", but then it became "no, $100 each" by the time they all agreed when they came back to tell me. So I said sure for $200 for both, but couldn't get them until next week and asked if that would be a problem. They said no problem and we exchanged phone numbers at my request. Then it became a discussion of who should give their phone number up to this "stranger"... They said the sooner I can get them the better as they wanted to get the house listed on the market right away which proved to be a true situation. They said I don't need to bother paying until I come get them. I said sounds good and that I'll have help to remove them from the basement when I come back and that I also have an appliance dolly, but will call and let everyone know for sure on a pick up time. Even after all of this, it was somewhat awkward as they still seemed suspicious of me as to why someone was going to pay $200 for an old washer and dryer set. So the following Monday (2 days after the sale), I gave the guy a call and he seemed surprised that I called, almost as though they thought I wasn't serious at the estate sale. I said I can come get them any time this week in the evening and he said "Oh that's good because we already brought them out of the basement, but we can hold them for you". My gut sank when he said that as I immediately feared that they were probably going to just scrap them and carelessly moved them, denting them up... So I said yes I'm still interested, you guys said $200 for the pair, right? And he paused... He goes "Yeah..... we did.... but let me check with my wife one more time and we'll call you back". I was kinda frustrated at that point. Likely they had to research these machines now that they knew I was serious and had to make sure they weren't worth some big money before finally agreeing to let them go for the already agreed price. Almost as though they thought I had some kind of hidden profit motive behind buying these. I didn't hear back until after 2 days, so by then I had already decided to just write it off as a lost cause as the family was being greedy. But then I got the phone call on Wednesday evening and the guy says "Ok, $200 it is, you can get them Friday after 5pm". I said that all sounds good, but had to ask one detail... I said "Please don't take offense to my asking, but since you guys already brought them out of the basement, I hope they didn't get scratched or dented in any way as they were really in excellent condition. I was hoping to move them myself as if anything went wrong it would be my responsibility". He said "oh no, we were careful nothing happened, you're good!" So I arrived yesterday evening, the guy opens the garage and there they are, all by themselves in an otherwise empty garage. They looked good at first, but then when I got up close to the washer, the right side was all scarfed up and dented from what appears to have been them sliding it up the stairs to get it out of the house. Scratches through the paint in a few spots and a good scuff through the paint finish on the front panel and the schematic diagram label was ripped up on back, all of which was fresh damage that wasn't there when I looked at them. The dryer was free of damage at least... I didn't want to start any arguments, but I was pretty disappointed and the fact that the guy completely lied to me that "nothing happened" when I specifically voiced my concern about them getting dented up while being moved. I asked if they used a dolly to move them and he said they just carried them out by hand. I said oh ok, that's what I figured and just left it at that. I could tell if I got nit picky, the guy would end the deal with me, so I accepted it for what it was. It grinds my gears when this sort of carelessness happens. They were perfect for 44 years until someone decided not to care because to them it's just old junk. Even me insisting that I move them myself wasn't enough to prevent that from happening. I guess the only way to prevent it was to have stopped everything I was doing that day and got them. Sometimes things just don't go as perfectly as you hope, but aside from my frustrations, they're still a very nice looking set and they'll clean up well with minimal effort! These are pictures just as they are before I clean them up. I'll try to carefully pop the dents out and fix up the scratches the best I can too. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 16 View Full Size

Post# 1147759 , Reply# 1 4/30/2022 at 15:22 (726 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes Reminds me of the Maytag A606 set I have from 1973 in avocado green. The dryer I have similar to yours but in the older HOH style and in gas but otherwise has the same drying cycles on it though. Going to put my Maytags back into service since I just repaired the water inlet valve and gave the dryer a thorough cleaning and servicing last summer. View Full Size

Post# 1147760 , Reply# 2 4/30/2022 at 15:31 (726 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *"we were careful nothing happened"* People have their own definitions of "nothing happened" or "excellent condition". "Nothing happened" to them means it didn't fall down the stairs while they were hauling it out. I've also learned you have to drop everything and pounce on these deals immediately if you really want it. You were lucky to get them at all.

Post# 1147761 , Reply# 3 4/30/2022 at 15:38 (726 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I would have pointed out the damage, after they were loaded and paid regards to the fear of him reneging on the deal, just to make clear to him that you know it happened.

Post# 1147763 , Reply# 4 4/30/2022 at 15:52 (726 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I think they still show well - congratulations on an unexpected find! I had that pair in white and really liked them. Enjoy! lawrence

Post# 1147780 , Reply# 5 4/30/2022 at 23:04 (726 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Congrats On Your New Set!* Sadly yes, things like this do happen all the time. My new AEG set arrived with damage despite using highly recommended shipper and a litany of instructions. Also "yes", it probably is best to collect things on spot oneself at once, this rather than leaving things to others. But often things just cannot be helped. Average person has never heard of large appliance "collectors" much less hobbyists. You express interest in an "old" appliance and they react is if you had two heads or something. Being charitable suppose sellers thought they were doing you a favor by moving washer and dryer themselves to a more easily accessible spot.

Post# 1147789 , Reply# 6 5/1/2022 at 00:25 (726 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)
Checkrate/Likes 3 From experience I've found not to give people too much time to think about things, usually works against you when trying to buy something. Once they finally agree to a sale and price GET IT OUT OF THERE FAST. Even after you all agreed to a price once you did call them a few days later they still needed conference time, for what who knows? People will either change their minds or damage things trying to move them around when it comes to a property they want to dump ASAP and count that cash. Best thing after all the jerking around they gave you the first time would have been to drop the cash down in their hands or give them a deposit and go get the rest of the cash and your truck etc and come right back and haul them out. Typical how on one hand people dont appreciate the old stuff but yet try to get as much as they can once a person shows interest, yet throw caution to the wind when moving them. Its one extreme or another.

Post# 1147804 , Reply# 7 5/1/2022 at 11:06 (725 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks everyone. I'm usually always Johnny-on-the-spot when I find these things as I know all too well how it is when you don't act fast enough to get things out of the house ASAP. Unfortunately I just didn't have the ability to make it happen as fast this time. I also collect vintage TV's and I've learned years ago to always immediately get items out of the house as soon as I find them if its an estate sale. With the TV's a lot of times, if you don't get it out of the house ASAP, people will use the top of the TV as an inspection table and scratch it all up by the time you return. For that reason I always keep a blanket with me in case I need to come back a little later for pick up. As far as the Maytags go, I think the guy could read where I was coming from when I put my hand on the dent and asked if they moved it with a dolly or by hand. Didn't need to go much further than that, I think my point was made without being confrontational that I knew what happened. Sometimes its better to be happy than right.

Post# 1147815 , Reply# 8 5/1/2022 at 14:29 (725 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Doug, congratulations!! Beautiful set as usual. Thank you for taking the time to update your profile reflecting your full history of machines acquired and what you also no longer own over time. Have had you in my thoughts recently, wondering how you were doing. Bob

Post# 1147874 , Reply# 12 5/2/2022 at 10:36 (724 days old) by thatwasherguy (Kentucky)
Checkrate/Likes *Beautiful find!!!!* Lots of luck with them. I found the same washer and a similar dryer in white (also from 1978) about a year ago. They weren’t in anywhere near as good of condition though. Given Maytag’s legendary build quality, I’m sure you’ll be enjoying these for years to come. Thatwasherguy.

Post# 1147883 , Reply# 13 5/2/2022 at 14:21 (724 days old) by Hippiedoll ( arizona )
Checkrate/Likes 2 *WOWZERS...* What a cool find! Sorry about the scratches, bumps & bruises your twins got on their way out of the basement. But they are in good hands now. Can't wait to read how they work (& play) for you. CONGRATULATIONS on such an EXCITING find❣️ Doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer. 😃😊

Post# 1147861 , Reply# 9 5/1/2022 at 23:39 (725 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)
Checkrate/Likes Thank you for the kind words, Bob! I always appreciate your comments and knowledge! I just completed some further refining of my profile collection status, adding in the dates I acquired my appliances. Most of the machines I no longer own are in the care of a very good collector friend of mine in the Milwaukee, WI area. So even though I don't have some of those listed machines, I still see them whenever I go up for a visit.

Post# 1147862 , Reply# 10 5/2/2022 at 00:00 (725 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes 1 You have quite the collection of vintage machines in your updated profile description. I remember coming across your videos back in the summer of 2014 when I started getting into vintage appliances and electronics and as of last year I discovered all the videos of the Seeburg background music records you uploaded to YouTube back in 2008 and 2009. The 1960 Chevy Impala is another favorite of mine on your channel along with the 1971 Dodge Coronet.

Post# 1147871 , Reply# 11 5/2/2022 at 08:49 (724 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Doug - nice save. And what a bummer about how the set was treated, but thankful they are in good hands now. It was nice to see your handle pop up over the weekend! Ben