Whirlpool washing machine being retired after 20 years and 8 months of faithful service. Bought a new Samsung washing machine

[Lanny]

I purchased the Whirlpool in February 1995, after moving here. It was built in the USA and Whirlpool intended that it would be sold there, but I bought it here. My wife says the machine is her best friend.  The past 4 years 4 months, it has been used much more frequently, because my Stepson and his wife moved in with us. So, in "old age" it has been working much much harder than when it was "young".

 

Yesterday, in the afternoon, my wife bought a new Samsung washing machine. The company left a voice mail message, early this morning, that it will be delivered today.  (It would have been nice if they'd said morning or afternoon).  After it is delivered, then we are to call Samsung, for them to come and install the machine. That is required, for the factory warranty.

 

We will keep the Whirlpool, which is still working, and is a member of the family. My wife watched service people work on it, once or twice, and after that she has done the service on it, replacing plastic parts from time to time.

 

I have my fingers crossed that the new Samsung washing machine will also have a very long life. Prices here include 16% tax. At today's exchange rate, it was approximately USD $626 (including the 16% tax).

 

ETA: 

The first 9+ years the machine was outside. The washer connections where we lived before were outside. It is not pretty, but it has a heart of gold.

Edited December 4, 2015 by Lanny

[goldberry]

I hate my brand new front load washing machine.  No way does it clean as well as my old top loader with agitator.

[Lanny]

I hate my brand new front load washing machine.  No way does it clean as well as my old top loader with agitator.

 

 

I think there was a thread here on WTM, a few months ago, about Front Loaders and that most people didn't like them?   One issue is that you cannot stop the machine to add/remove things, to soak, etc.  I truly do not believe the new style (high speed without agitators) will last as long as the old style machines with agitators. 

[Lady Florida.]

I'm still clinging to my 15 year old Kenmore washer even though it needs to be replaced. One reason is I want a top loader with an agitator and I know that's going to cost a pretty penny. 

 

I could have posted in the what you bought because of WTM thread, that when I buy a new washer, it will be a Speed Queen with agitator, because of WTM.

[Chocomom63]

*playing taps* for your dear departed washing machine.  Those good old machines - I miss them.  I also miss the days when there were appliance repairmen galore to fix them too.  Now you're lucky if the one who comes to look at your oven even comes back to finish the job (he didn't - we had to buy the part and install it ourselves).  

 

Wishing you many years of good laundry days with your new washer. :-)

[goldberry]

With my front loader, you can still add things for a certain period.  I just don't think it cleans as well.

[Lanny]

I'm still clinging to my 15 year old Kenmore washer even though it needs to be replaced. One reason is I want a top loader with an agitator and I know that's going to cost a pretty penny. 

 

I could have posted in the what you bought because of WTM thread, that when I buy a new washer, it will be a Speed Queen with agitator, because of WTM.

 

 

They are still sold here, but they are much harder to find in the stores. Whirlpool sells them and there is a Colombian brand, Centrales that still makes and sells them. Possibly another brand too.  My wife wanted a machine without an Agitator.    My belief is that if there were no demand from the Consumers, the manufacturers would stop making them, so there is still demand for the old fashioned top loading machines with Agitators.  I have never seen Speed Queen machines in the stores here.

[Lanny]

*playing taps* for your dear departed washing machine.  Those good old machines - I miss them.  I also miss the days when there were appliance repairmen galore to fix them too.  Now you're lucky if the one who comes to look at your oven even comes back to finish the job (he didn't - we had to buy the part and install it ourselves).  

 

Wishing you many years of good laundry days with your new washer. :-)

 

 

"Lava la Lavadora" is her name. Translated: "Wash the Washing Machine".   She is not departed, she still works, but she is dear to us...

 

We are much luckier here, because there are lots of people who are experts at building and/or fixing things.  The best TV service repairman I have ever met in my life came to our house, about 9 years ago. It was a Samsung TV with a 25" CRT. I called the national toll free line for Samsung service and they dispatched the service man, from one of their authorized places in Cali. When he arrived at our house, on a motorcycle, I thought to myself, "They made a mistake, they will need to take the TV to the shop in a truck".  He took the TV apart, put the main board on the floor in the hall, where there is excellent light from a skylight (?) in the roof, diagnosed the problems, gave us a quotation and rode off on his motorcycle, with the main board. A couple of days later, he came back, installed the main board, and I believe that TV is still working (we gave it to a family member).

[Lanny]

The delivery truck brought the new washing machine to our house. We live in a huge rural subdivision and they went back to the entrance gate, 2 or 3 times, to ask for directions to our house, but they finally got here.  My wife called Samsung and apparently they will come to install it, during the next 3 "Business" days, which I hope includes Saturdays and the 8th is a holiday here in Colombia....  I think it has 31 pound capacity. It is a top loader and looks like Stainless Steel on the sides.  It was made in Mexico.

[Chocomom63]

"Lava la Lavadora" is her name. Translated: "Wash the Washing Machine".   She is not departed, she still works, but she is dear to us...

 

We are much luckier here, because there are lots of people who are experts at building and/or fixing things.  The best TV service repairman I have ever met in my life came to our house, about 9 years ago. It was a Samsung TV with a 25" CRT. I called the national toll free line for Samsung service and they dispatched the service man, from one of their authorized places in Cali. When he arrived at our house, on a motorcycle, I thought to myself, "They made a mistake, they will need to take the TV to the shop in a truck".  He took the TV apart, put the main board on the floor in the hall, where there is excellent light from a skylight (?) in the roof, diagnosed the problems, gave us a quotation and rode off on his motorcycle, with the main board. A couple of days later, he came back, installed the main board, and I believe that TV is still working (we gave it to a family member).

 

Wow - that is a heckuva great guy!  These days it is rare to find someone that good in our town.  We seem to have hardly any appliance repair people and you have to get one from out of town.  Really stinks.  

 

Glad your new washer arrived too and hopefully you can get it installed soon.  :-)

[mamiof5]

Wish you the best with your new machine!! Here we can only get cheap appliances made in China which are designed to last 5 years max? It's a ripoff :(

ETA: one of my cousins in Colombia now owns her mom's washing machine, which must be 20+ years old? Now a days that's unheard of in the US

Edited December 5, 2015 by mamiof5

[PinkTulip]

We bought our Maytag in the spring of 1996 and have easily averaged 2 loads a day every day that we have had it (4 boys within 5 years, all swimmers so lots of towels). It has only needed 2 minor repairs over the years. I love it so much - I think I will cry when (if?!) it finally dies.

[purplejackmama]

I got dibs that your new machine dies in less than 5 years and the "part" and subsequent labor to repair said machine costs more than a brand new one. They just don't make things like they used to.