Maytag Neptune Washer: I Am .....BUSTED (you NEED to read this)
Written: Sep 06 '00 (Updated Jul 13 '01)
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Pros: Max Extract, drum light, LARGE loads, cleans well, less water-detergent excellent customer service
Cons: signal not loud, bleach cup, occasional sock in door, defect in older-models
The Bottom Line: Cleans well, has LARGE capacity-uses less water and detergent. It has nice features. Defect in earlier models-repaired for free upon request. READ WARNINGS in this review
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| Caprig's Full Review: Maytag Neptune MAH4000 Front Loader Washer |
Ever see those ads where that idiotic grinning housewife (that is supposedly a dying breed) stands by her appliance and parrots about how wonderful this appliance is? Ever want to gag at the phoniness of the recited phrases? I have and I have.
I would always mock these annoying insults to my intelligence (as I would call them). They irritated me to no end. One of my banes in life is that type of commercial.
Then it happened to me. I got the Neptune Washer.
Now, I am.......BUSTED!!!!
Yes, you are about to hear a reformed critic of those idiotic women raving about their stupid appliances that they "love" so much.
I have become one of ...."THEM".
It all started when we had to change from a totally electric home to propane. We had a lousy dryer, so in order to cut costs way down, we began to look for a propane driven dryer.
Our previous washer and dryer set were Hot Point. We had just replaced our transmission in the washer the previous year, and our dryer used to take about 4 hours per load to dry in the winter. It was awful.
So, we were bogged down with the cost of buying a dryer, hot water tank, stove and the hardware to make the change, and we were as high as we could go.
We had purchased everything but the dryer when it happened.
The washer was not working AGAIN! So my husband repaired it yet again, but this time, I did not want to continue to use it. We had seen the Maytag washers and I was "in love". Yes, folks, the "appliance cupid" had launched his arrow.
Whap!
When we saw the Neptune washer, we were both infected by the "appliance cupid's" arrow.
This was the machine of our dreams. For years when we were banished to the laundromat, we would sigh as we would talk of getting one of those front loaders "some day".
This washer was the dream manifested before our eyes!
BUT- it was way out of our league. We were too stretched to afford it at the price of $1000 (on sale) with all that we already had to buy.
I cried.
How stupid of me to admit it, but I did.
So that night we could not sleep. We even prayed to God that somehow, by some miracle, maybe we could get this dream machine. But then in the morning, we would feel silly for asking for something so normal.
The next day, we got an agitated call from the sales person that happened to have our number and name from the day before.
" You are not going to believe this," he said. " This morning, someone came in and marked down all of the floor models and your washing machine is way down. Can you come in right now?"
We were in the car in 10 minutes racing to the store.
There it was. Our machine. But it was a floor model. Returnable. We went home and called the 800 NEPTUNE number to see if this machine had been registered and if there was anything wrong with it.
There was no record, so it was unregistered. It looked unused. We asked all kinds of questions and called the number several times. We were reassured that we could return it if it did not work and we were impressed by the knowledge and friendliness of the customer service.
So, if it did not work, we could return it. Was this too good to be true?
When we got it home, all that was wrong with it was that a bolt from shipping had not been removed from the drum. It worked like a charm. And it was less than any of the other machines we had been looking at!!!!
So, why is this thing so wonderful?
Let me COUNT the ways!
WHAT IS THIS MACHINE LIKE?
First of all, it comes with a video that is kind of a special performance to make you feel all nice that you bought this wonderful machine. (I am being sort of sarcastic here). The funny part is that it tells you about certain things like you can fill the drum really full (not packed) and that is OK.
It also tells you that that weird slushing noise that happens every time you turn the drum around is normal and has to do with the operation of the machine.
Then there are the basics of running it.
You get3 controls:
FABRIC SELECTION Cotton/Sturdy
Easy Care/ Perm Press
Delicates
Hand Washables
WASH/RINSE
HOT/COLD
WARM/WARM
WARM/COLD
COLD/COLD
OPTIONS
Max Extract
Extra Rinse
Signal
Reset
The manual is fantastic in explaining things that you always wanted to know, but did not know you wanted to know until you found out.
For example:
REMEMBER: In wash water temperatures below 65F, detergents do not dissolve well or clean well. Care labels define cold water as up to 85F.
Now maybe YOU knew the temp of COLD water, but I did not.
The MAX EXTRACT is the most wonderful thing. Your clothes are so dry, that you do not have to run the dryer hardly at all.
The signal is only one sound, and in our basement, it is lost- I do not hear it.
CYCLE DESCRIPTION
There is a REGULAR cycle that has the following in it:
EXTRA WASH - extends by 9 min- add 1 1/2 amount of detergent
PREWASH- extends by 3 min - add 1 1/2 amount of detergent
HEAVY-
NORMAL- wash time approx 41 min
LIGHT
There is a STOP/START button. You may stop the machine in the beginning of the cycle if you forgot to load something, but after a while it locks. You will know by the red lights on top if it is locked or not. There is another red light to indicate that it is running too.
The compartments for bleach, softener and the detergent are easy to use and efficient. Uses all of the powder I put in- no lumps left.
The bleach dispenser is nice too. You just can not overfill it or it will release at the wrong time and you will wish you did not do that.
THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE HAS A LIGHT. WOW, DO I LOVE THAT!!!!!
There is also a DELAY wash. It will delay up to 8 hours (take advantage of off peak electricity costs)
The door is also reversible.
MORE COMMENTS
I really love this machine. I did not think I could ever LOVE an appliance to gush like an idiot, but we all really do love this machine.
The loads are like 2 of the other machine we had, so laundry is done much less often and with less water and detergent.
We tried the HE detergent, but we did not see much difference for the price from the regular.
The machine also cleans very well.
MY CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES
Customer service has been great so far. I lost my manual and did not remember how to do bleach and the girl at Maytag walked me through it. She sent out another manual immediately.
You also have a special NEPTUNE number you call for customer service.
If you are looking to buy this washer (and or the dryer) call the neptune number at Maytag and ask a lot of questions like we did.
We have had our NEPTUNE now for 2 years and so far we still love it!
Even our 15 year old son is ANXIOUS to do his own laundry!!!! That in itself is almost beyond belief (grin). We still battle with him to take a shower...
LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!
I have just been informed by a very kind and thoughtful person that has read this review that there is a defect in some of the earlier models of the NEPTUNE machine.
Upon checking my machine, I have discovered that ours happens to be one of them.
Here is the deal.
DEFECT IN BOOT
Apparently, in the first models of this machine, there is a problem with the "boot" - the rubber gasket that keeps the water in the machine when the door is closed.
The water gathers in there and eventually leads to mold and mildew problems. Ours has a little bit of mildew in it upon inspection.
DEFECT IN COMPUTER PANEL
There is also a problem with the computer panel being affected by moisture. So far ours has been fine, but we have only had it for 2 years.
DEFECT IN THE DOOR
I am unclear of the exact problem of this defect. The person who called my attention to it said that their latch stopped working.
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I CALLED MAYTAG ABOUT THIS?
Because I was informed about the defect, I was told that the parts would be sent to the closest Maytag repair person, who would then replace them free of charge to us.
They told me that the gasket, computer panel (called SMART PANEL) and the inside of the door would all be replaced.
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS
I will keep you updated as to further details on this new experience with our NEPTUNE. We have had no problems as of yet with our machine, so I am not sure what this replacement will do for us.
However, I think that it is important for you to be aware of the way that my problem was handled so that you can have an indication of what to expect from this machine and company should you purchase one.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT
The parts for our machine arrived in only one week from my call to MAYTAG.
Along with the boot problem, I was told about the defect in the door. Sometimes the latch breaks on them. Of course, THAT part was not under warranty. So we put forth the $50 for the part to be replaced as well. We later had it reimbursed by our extended warranty that I did not remember we had.
Should the latch have gone AFTER this boot/computer panel replacement was made, the labor and part would have brought the cost up to over $300.
The repairman was working on the machine for under an hour. He completely dismantled the machine and put it all back together with the new parts. A boot, completely new door liner, vents, computer panel and he even cleaned the machine while it was apart.
I watched with interest as the old boot was removed. THERE WAS A LOT OF BLACK MOLD WHERE I COULD NOT SEE IT.
Good thing we had this done.
The new boot has several drain holes in it, the door has more ventilation holes and the new computer panel beeps when it engages a cycle.
So far, no problems or bad smell.
I also received a kit to freshen up the insides of the pipes and machine with instructions and dishwasher powder.
ANOTHER WARNING!
In case you are not aware, our former president of the US set in motion a law to make it illegal to own or use a top loader washer to go into effect some time before the year 2010.
If you are looking to purchase a front loader so that you are not caught without a "legal" washer, this washer would be a great bet. Many other front loaders do leak if overfilled and the repairman (NOT a MAYTAG rep) said that the Neptune is the best front loader he has worked on or used.
He has been in repair for many years with other companies.
Just remember if you get one used, check to see if the warranty work has been done.
PLEASE RATE THIS OPINION! I NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS HELPFUL TO YOU OR NOT. THANKS!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 599 (hard to believe, isn't it?)
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Epinions.com ID:
Caprig
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Location: NE US- 2 email me delete REMOVETHIS
Reviews written: 450
Trusted by: 214 members
About Me:
Product-Evaluation/Information-Specialist. Too Busy to Be KIND to Others? You are TOO BUSY.
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