Disgusted with Sears Front Loader washer!
Written: Aug 25 '06 (Updated Aug 25 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Ease of Cleaning: |
|
|
| Style: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Uses less water, cut's drying time, has larger capacity.
Cons: Expensive, high repair history, not reliable, clothes not fresh & clean, mold, terrible service
The Bottom Line: Do not buy this machine...PERIOD!!! Service calls and extended warranties will make this purchase a waste of money.
|
|
|
| ch59's Full Review: Kenmore 43142 Front Load Washer |
I won't go into detail about this machines features because I refuse to recommend it. It has caused so much distress and cost me a ton of money. I thought buying a front-loader without fancy electronic control panels would save me money. HA! Was I in for a surprise!
Even when new, this machine only worked OK. (It never cleaned better than a top loader.) It did however save water during washing and extracted most of it during the last spin cycle.
However, this washer broke down in it's 3rd year - it wouldn't even start: It cost $200 to fix: Faulty wiring timer and motor. When the tech put it back together, it then began shaking like crazy. (The machine was balanced and level as was the floor, and it wasn't overloaded). Now there's something wrong with the basket shaking, and the timer is shot again.
The washer shakes so violently it would not complete the rinse cycles-as the machine thought it was out-of-balance. So it skips through the spin cycles, which is when the dirty rinse water gets extracted. This leaves soap AND dirt in the clothes and I have to run each wash at least twice. Several technicians replaced different things trying to "figure out" what was wrong.
Long story short, this machine has had 3 service calls in just the past week, still won't finish rinse cycles and the washer basket still bumps and shakes like crazy. You can hear it hitting something internally! NOW I’m told it is completely shot and needs most all major parts replaced.
I recently purchased a service plan after the warranty ran out (and having spent over $200 on the first call). I knew this machine was going to be trouble. The plan was close to $300, but lucky me, I didn't have to pay the $2000 in parts in labor it would've cost had I not purchased the plan
The Sears service is the WORST to deal with in my area for washer repair. Totally unacceptable service! What happens? When you call service, you wait 5 hours for technician #1 to come out and diagnose the problem.
You then wait weeks for the part and then technician #2 (usually a different one) comes out. He then tells you it's either the wrong part, or the job requires 2 people and he can't do anything but order more parts and request another technician to assist. Wait a week a more...
Technician #3 comes out, says there is something entirely DIFFERENT wrong with the machine, and oh...you need 2 guys and he's alone. Then repeat the entire process until you are going crazy.
It goes on and on. In a nutshell, if the job is difficult to diagnose or requires a lot of work - each tech "passes" the job off to the next guy. You can get a different tech each time, even when requesting a specific person. God forbid you are the last call of the day: unless it's a quick and easy job-they will tell you a part is 'missing' to once again delay the job and be able to go home early.
I've been waiting a month for service, only to be told 3 different times something else is wrong - and more parts need to be ordered. By this time, this machine could've been replaced for less than it's costing to fix!
I can't express enough how disgusted I am with the treatment I’ve gotten from Sears service, and the lack of knowledge and rudeness from it's technicians. I am now forced to writing letters to try and get this lemon replaced. I am so upset than I’ve spent close to $2000 on this machine and forced to go to the Laundromat because my machine is still broken.
As much as I wanted a front loader, I am having SERIOUS doubts about their longevity and dependability. I had a Maytag Neptune previously and it had a list of it's own problems from the start, and I’m told will be discontinued.
I'd like to mention that while you do save on water usage and drying times with front loaders, those savings may very well be spent on service calls, extended warranties, special HE soaps etc.
I've also noticed, that clothes washed in a top loader are 'fresher' smelling. Yes, top loaders use more water but seem to work better to remove noxious smells. All of that water IS necessary to really dilute and rinse out all the icky stuff in clothes.
I compare it to putting a muddy shirt in a cup of water vs. a bucket. No matter how you look at it, the muddy shirt will get cleaner when washed and rinsed in a bucketful of water vs. a cup.
I also should mention that this machine is notorious for mold growth in the pullout container, which holds the soap. I run hot cycles with bleach every week, but nothing will stop the mold from growing. You also need to wipe the rubber gasket after each use (soap, water & debris collects) and leave the door ajar to avoid mold in the basket.
I'm sorry my review is so negative, as I really wanted to love my machine. But the truth is, this is the first big-ticket item I’ve bought that has given me so much grief. I've since researched Kenmore's newer front loaders to find many of the same complaints.
Buyers beware of the Kenmore front loaders, especially this model. If you have your heart set on one, PLEASE purchase the extended warranty.
If your warranty runs out, you can check if they are running a promo in your area. I was able to purchase a 3-year full coverage parts/service warranty for about $280. But I have to be honest, I haven't seen the savings because my washer isn't fixed and I’m getting horrible service. My saving grace will be IF they honor the 'lemon law' part of the warranty plan I purchased.
I may just give up on front loaders and go back to a top loader. It's just not worth the headache and cost anymore!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 800
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ch59
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Shauna
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Live...Love...Shop
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.