:D :D :D
Thanks for reading our post!
:D :D :D

;) ;) ;)
Please, don't be shy about sharing your opinion(s)!
;) ;) ;)

:) :) :)
We plan to make the final decision around Valentine's Day 2011. And, we'll be considering information received from all possible sources between now & then, (2-3 weeks + weekends of visiting displays).
:) :) :)

:confused: :confused: :confused:
Martin, of Lucky Appliances, (the same repairman, at the same business as the Nov. 2009 repairs posted here for "Speedie the Speed Queen"), has just left after pronouncing her death & suggesting our options for "carrying on with our lives". Here's what he said - and what we'd appreciate your input toward helping decide:
:confused: :confused: :confused:

:) :) :)
1) It is _not_ fiscally responsible to _replace the motor_, which Martin says died as a result of water contact during the November 2009 need for new belt + part.
:D :D :D AGREE? ______
:mad: :mad: :mad: DISAGREE?______

:) :) :)
2) It is "smart" to replace our purchased-new 16 years ago Speed Queen with _any_ of the $100.00 washing machines for sale at Martin's long-standing local business, _all_ of which once came with a 90-days warranty, but _now_ come with a 6-months warranty, (due to the impeccable stability of their products, according to Martin, our trusted washer repairman suddenly seen by us as Martin the used car, uh-er, used washer salesman ~ NOTE: lack of the word "trusted" in 2nd title ~).
:D :D :D AGREE? _______
:mad: :mad: :mad: DISAGREE? _______

3) Martin says there is a white, used, sits-on-pedestals frontloader W&D set available in his showroom for $700.00, offered with the same 6-month warranty as the $100.00 toploader models he currently offers in the same showroom.
Martin said this in response to my query about replacing the motor until we save up enough to purchase new frontloader sits-on-pedestals to replace the purchased-new-but-now-dead-16-years-later Speed Queen.
:D :D :D Purchase the $700 set? _______
:mad: :mad: :mad: Purchase the $100 machine? _______
:) :) :) Purchase the $100 machine until enough $$$ is saved up to pay cash for a new frontloader sits-on-pedestals set? _______

:confused: :confused: :confused:
The (2) frontloading sits-on-pedestals sets we've been drooling over, *but _never_ considered replacing as long as Speedie was "with us", are:

1) The _TEAL_ Electroluxe set
2) The _Candy Apple Red_ set of we-don't-remember-the-manufacturer-but-saw-them-at-Best-Buy

Recommendations, based on problem-free longevity, regardless of color?

TEAL? ______
Candy Apple Red at Best Buy? _______
OTHER(S)? _______
:confused: :confused: :confused:

:) :) :)
We look forward to hearing back from you before Valentine's Day 2011!
:) :) :)

:D :D :D
Thanks, again, for participating in this helpful forum!
:D :D :D

Applianceman,

:D :D :D
Thank you for your same-day reply to our latest post here!
:D :D :D

:o :o :o
We didn't realize buying used didn't make sense. At some point, today, we were even saying among ourselves that, yes, used must _always_ be the way to go, (to avoid the "drive it off the lot" price/value nose dive). But, appliances aren't vehicles. So, "apples & oranges"?
:o :o :o

:) :) :)
We're glad to know our local repairman / salesman at Lucky Buy is really going the extra mile with the 6-month warranty offered on all used appliances sold there.
At $1/day, for 6 weeks, the (3) of us should be able to "cover the cost" of a $100 used toploader washing machine. Then, keep chipping in $1/day for the 6 months to end up with a fund of 3(6)(30)=18(30)=(3)18 with a zero on the end, or, $540. That seems pretty puny!
Let's check the math!
365 days for (2) of us to each chip in $1/day = $365.
Plus, 1/2 of 365 = 150+32.5 = 182.5, let's call it 183.
365+183=$548.
WOW!
I guess we better chip in _MORE_ than $1/day, each!
(((If we're going to have "enough" to pay for a _NEW_ machine in 6 months (by the time the warranty on the $100 "make-do" used one expires!))).
Heck! That wouldn't even be enough to buy the $700. _used_ frontloader pair on pedestals for sale there _now!_

:( :( :(
We're _really_ SAD you disapprove of the fancy new front loader machines. They're _SO PRETTY & SHINY!_
We LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the paint jobs on them!
REALLY, we _DO!_
But, we're going to "do the _right thing_ and be _mature & responsible_ about this and ...
Get another toploader washing machine. ((((Can you hear us sighing all the way across Internet?)))) We _REALLY_ were geared up for pedestal frontloading machines as the replacements.
:( :( :(

:eek: :eek: :eek:
OMGosh! That reminds me! Should we just go ahead and replace the (matching) natural gas (not propane) dryer when we get the new-not-used washing machine (in about 6 months)?
Is there a benefit to having "matching sets", (((besides us REALLY-REALLY-REALLY wanting things to "look nice & _match_.... which we are VERY NERVOUS that you might say, like the shiny new frontloader pedestal models, isn't "best"?)))
:eek: :eek: :eek:

:cool: :cool: :cool:
We were _very surprised_ with your last entries to the replacement washing machine list of information by brand!
The "Roper" + "Estate" models we've seen, (at Best Buy, and similar places), seemed like "tacky low-end appliances", to us. Without your list we would have _never_ touched them, much less given them "a chance".
I think we like big, strong, sturdy, "substantial-looking" washers & dryers (We don't really pay as much attention to dryers as the washers though). The "Roper" + "Estate" models seem almost to be like "playing at being "real appliances". Do you know what we mean? Even the knobs seem, sort of, "weak". Does that make sense?

What's _most important_ to us is Energy Star/saving on our energy bills over the life of the appliance, (our power company _just_ installed a smart meter here, last week!).
We don't know _why_ you mentioned "less bells & whistles", (Roper & Estate), because we NEVER ONCE changed the water level until November 2009, when we moved it from Extra Large to between Medium & Large, to keep water from splashing to the floor somehow. And, it is RARE that we do a HOT/HOT load, or ANY load other than, Warm wash/Cold rinse.
In other words, I think we'd be A-OK with the "no bells & whistles".
That said, we LOVE LOVE LOVE the cup thingie in the top of the agitator ( to pour either fabric softener, or white vinegar into for the rinse cycle) & would be "lost without it"!
However, the front left side thingie for bleach: We _NEVER_ use ~ We don't use bleach at all. So, it would be A-OK to have one without that thingie present.

I think that's all we care about, really:
1) Energy Star rating of _excellence_
2) Reliability (low repair ratio/percentage)
3) Fabric Softener Cup Thingie
4) Ability to pause it overnight to "soak" either the detergent, or the softener portion of the cycle

I think those are the only (4) "major points" mattering to us.

OH! It MUST have a "regular 3-prong plug" - not one of those "monster plugs", like the new stove we bought and had to have a whole new circuit + outlet installed for! YIKES!

If it matters when picking the washing machine:
We'd like the dryer to have a buzzer, like this one does.
But, we have _NEVER_ used the various other "settings" on the dryer; we just set it to whatever the 90-minute section on the upper right is for and _totally ignore_ the other 2-3 setting options (Perm. Press / Delicate / who-knows-what)...
Also, we LOVE-LOVE-LOVE that the LINT FILTER is at the bottom front of the dryer, (when you open the door, there it is, right under the "hole" of the dryer, (where we reach in to get the laundry out from).
We DON'T like the kind with that long mesh thingie for the link that slips in at the TOP of the side of the dryer ~ UGH! Messy!
This one is GREAT! It only has (2) screws holding it in place! So, every Spring, we unscrew it and clean-clean-clean _anything & everything_ in & around there. Very convenient feature for "staying tidy" that we'd VERY MUCH like our next new washing machine's "mate" / dryer to also have.
We've _heard of-but-never seen_ dryers with _racks_ in them (Don't need that - would NEVER use it - we have a way-cool-totally-awesome drying rack already!)
+ We've _heard of-but-never seen_ dryers with _lights_ in them (Don't need that - would NEVER use it - unless it turns on like a refrigerator light, in which case we'd always wonder WHY some engineer thought we needed to SEE with LIGHT inside the dryer ((((lots of laughs over that one!))))

So, that's about it, I think.
Nobody has anything else to share, except that there is some wondering over here about _water use_ comparison between top & front loaders ~ APPARENTLY, some think the front loaders use so much LESS water, they "quickly pay for themselves" ~ (((Water is costly and getting more so out here)))

Using less water makes me think of low-flow toilets and all the troubles those caused before they were properly engineered... We do laundry to get it CLEAN, not "muddy" - (Not that our dirty laundry water resembles _mud_~)
OK ~ Enough! :o :o :o

:D :D :D
Thank you, again, for the way-cool list! It's a "keeper"!
:D :D :D


RE:

:o ApplianceMan,

:)
Thank you for replying to us on these fine points of our current predicament over here. Today, it's only me "the responsible one among the 3 of us" reading & replying. ((((That means I'm not telling ANYONE we can go ahead and get back to planning or the pedestal frontloader machines! LOL!
:)

;)
At some point we found the government (The Government) compiles and shares lists of central HAVC units. I'm going to see if they offer a similar listing for laundry machines. If they do, I'll post it here for all to peruse.
;)

:)
We just had "the talk" today. It was about the laundry basket, full of dirty laundry (from what we had to wring out when Miss Speedie died). Not wanting to "taint" the dryer, we took the wrung out items to the backyard and placed them inside out (rugs "face-down) to dry in the sun & breeze. Now, they're back to being "dirty laundry", which beats being dripping-wet dirty laundry!
Our _plan_ (made in haste & hysterics), was to take it to the local laundromat.
When the time came to actually schlep out of the house trailing a basket of dirty laundry for the first time in 16+ years, we demurred.
Instead, we had a pow-wow and decided to go ahead and live with The Basket of Dirty Laundry in here with us (on the back porch, but still...), until next weekend, when we'll have Martin deliver us whatever machine from Lucky Buy he thinks is best.
We actually drove right past there, today, on the way to get Saturday Slurpees from 7-Eleven. But, we decided not to stop in. The place is too jam-packed full of appliances, and is "overwhelming" just to drive by and see through the big plate glass windows, from the road. Instead, we'll just call and ask him, or Yolanda, the gal that answers the phone, to ask him to pick out the very best one of those with 6-month warranty + $100 price tag that are top loaders & deliver it / hook it up here for us - They will carry the late Miss Speedie away for us, Martin said. That's helpful!
:)

Then, once we're squared away with a working washer & back to our routine of daily washing laundry over here, we'll start chipping in until we have enough to pay cash for whatever ends up being our "final answer" for replacement(s).

:cool:
I'm with you on keeping the dryer. But, we'll need to compromise for "everyone to be happy". So, we'll keep Mr. Speedy with the $100 6-month washing machine & let them _both_ go as a pair when we have the cash for a new replacement matching set. 6+ months isn't too long to walk with an inner limp, knowing our laundry room has mis-matched appliances in it.
:cool:

:)
Let me see if I can locate that government listing of suggested appliances & share the link to it here. Then, let the narrowing down of options really begin in earnest!
I'll post the one(s) we end up with as likely candidates and see what your opinion(s) will be.
:)

:confused:
Have you heard of Soap Nuts? We ordered a large (the largest available online) shipment of them and wonder if there are any ApplianceMan annecdotes or observations about machines that'v been in-use with Soap Nuts, instead of detergents.
ALSO: We recently transitioned from being fabric softener users to being white vinegar in the agitator's cup users. Why? Because Hints from Heloise, or one of those types of columns in the local paper said white vinegar is more frugal; leaves no vinegar scent; and, leaves clothing soft by removing any detergent residue in the rinse cycle. Do you think the added acidity would be harmful to the drain pump/hose or even the tub over time? We live in a "hard water" area (San Bernardino, CA), where "water softeners" are outlawed due to backflushing of them depositing "brine" into the Santa Ana River, as I understand it. So, we use Borateem + white vinegar, etc to "soften laundry water.
And, we toss a Bounce sheet in the dryer - sometimes 2-3, (blankets / towels/linens).
:confused:

:D
Now, to find that LINK!
:D

OK! THIS is the HOME PAGE (Rebates & more are on the RIGHT sidebar):
Home Improvement: Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency with ENERGY STAR : ENERGY STAR

THIS is the QUALIFIED PRODUCTS LISTING PAGE:
A problem occurred : ENERGY STAR.

THIS is the FIND ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS PAGE, (Washers is Item #1!):
Find ENERGY STAR Products : ENERGY STAR

THIS s the WASHERS PAGE:
Clothes Washers : ENERGY STAR

They even have a link on it for COMMERCIAL WASHING MACHINES!

LOTS of stuff to look at! More later!

Thanks, again, for being a positive influence in the Internet community!
:D


RE:

Applianceman,

Here's a link to info. on Soap Nuts:

Soap Nuts | Soap Berries | Mukorossi Soap Nuts | Organic Soap

And, this is the exact link to the exact soap nut product we purchase from Matt Monarch & Angela Stokes-Monarch at The Raw Food World:

Maggie's Soap Nuts 200 (1 kilo) Load Tub - $34.95 : The Raw Food World

The first page (VERY INFORMATIVE), wouldn't let me copy & paste text from it. But, about 1/4-1/3 of the way down the page is a heading on Soap Nuts being the VERY BEST HE DETERGENT for frontloaders! AMAZING! I tried to copy it to here for you, but couldn't. Totally check it out! :-)
___
I got lost in a sea of reviews and recommendations as soon as I dove off into the government's list of Energy Star washing machines, yesterday! WOW! Such information overload!
I wasn't aware of the new-to-me washer-dryer machines! Some even ventless / draining the condensation into the washing portion's drain pipe! AMAZING!
I was first lulled by the review of the HAIR (?), not the REVIEW ~ the RECOMMENDATION ~ Then, I started reading the REVIEWS and that took care of that! It seems they're not very pleasant to have, much less try getting laundry done with!
That led me to go ahead and look at 2-3 other models, since my curiosity was piqued & (I think it was Whirlpool?) had PRETTY PHOTOS of folk with a unit in their CLOSET! _AMAZING!_ ~ I think those were the HEX machines...
ANYWAY!
It became a blurr & I called it day ~
Tomorrow, I'll budget time to continue the search ~
Today's too nuts & _everyone_ deserves a little "time off for good behavior" ~ and, if all this online appliance _work_ this week isn't "good behavior", IDK what _is_!
LOL!
___
I'll be back before we buy:
1) to say what model Martin of Lucky Buy delivered for $100 + 6-month warranty
2) to say what our short-list of washers (washer dryer matching sets) are down to

Thanks, again for being so very generous with your expert intelligence!
I even (finally) made a post in the refrigerator section because of my experiences here with you in the washing machine section!

Thanks!
:D

RE: