Clean Your Laundry Efficiently
Written: Oct 20 '05 (Updated Oct 21 '05)
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Pros: Efficient and low cost of ownership. Cool to see the wash through the port hole.
Cons: Need to stoop over if you put the washer of the floor. Terrible Sears service.
The Bottom Line: An excellent machine that does a good job inexpensively changing clothes. It's well worth suffering through the interaction with Sears to get one.
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| anonimitie's Full Review: Kenmore 44102 Front Load Washer |
Sears front-loading washer is more expensive than the conventional top-loading "Tub" models but, is competitively priced among front-loaders. Sears service is, predictably, poor but the machine itself is excellent.
When we began using the machine there was no appreciable increase in our utility bills (Water and Electric). Rather than washing in a tub full of water, a front-loading model puts a puddle of water at the bottom of the drum and rolls the laundry through the water. This reduces water used and detergents needed resulting in lower costs of ownership. Also, the spin cycle is very efficient and the clothes come out well wrung meaning less drier time, thus saving electricity.
When loading our first load of laundry we were concerned that the drum looked small. Though stuffing a full load in there looks like a tight fit, once the water starts flowing an average sized load fits just fine. I also recommend a "bra bag" for ladies' unmentionables. The hooks on my wife's bras got caught in the drum's drainage holes. This hasn't happened again since we began using the bag.
I also like that Sears sells a stacking kit where the matching dryer can be attached to the top of the washer. I think that's very flexible and can allow for a lot of space saving.
One other feature that is useful if you have to put alot of planning into your laundry is the start timer. You can set it to start with up to a nine hour delay. This is useful to set the load the night before and have it run in the wee hours of the morning when no one is competing with the washer for hot water.
My complaint with the service involves the installers and customer service lines. My wife and I bought the washer during the last six months of leasing an apartment. My installers hooked-up the washer but, took some important packaging away. In short, the packaging prevented the drum from banging around when it was being moved. Since my lease was up in six months, I was keenly interested in being able to move the washer without damaging it.
When I called the installation dispatcher, he told me that maybe I should have installed it myself. I told him that I paid extra to benefit from Sears installation expertise. The dispatcher told me he didn't know what installation parts I was talking about. I called Sears parts line and they weren't sure but offered to sell me what they thought I needed. They couldn't understand that I had already paid for them and that their installers took the parts away. After three months and a letter to Sears' president, I finally got the parts in the mail to safely move the washer.
My point is, if you plan to move the washer again, be sure you keep these important parts so you can reinstall them for the move.
I've been using my Kenmore front-loading washer for three years now and am very happy with it. It's reduced the amount of detergents I use and is a miser with my utilities. Those savings make it well worth the extra money and, in the long run, will work to greater savings over conventional models. More expensive front-loaders can cost well over $1,000 and offer more features and are more comfortable to use but, in my epinion, the Kenmore offered the best features for the price.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 600
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Epinions.com ID:
anonimitie
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 0 members
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