A Tale of Two Speed Queens

[pulltostart]

Subtitled "What's Wrong With This Picture?"

 

Just to review, here's the Speed Queen TL that I bought on November 29 from Castleberry's Appliance, here in Chamblee.  Totally happy with the washer.

 

Lawrence

 

[pulltostart]

This is a picture, downloaded from the Speed Queen website, of the model that I purchased from Castleberry's Appliance this past Tuesday, January 3.

 

L

 

[pulltostart]

This is a picture of the Speed Queen dryer delivered by Castleberry's Appliance yesterday (Saturday), January 7.  Notice anything wrong?  When I challenged the delivery person (who had also been the salesman who sold me the dryer), I was told "this is a new model gas dryer"; not once, but twice I got this response.

 

L

 

[pulltostart]

This is a photo taken today of what I'm using to dry clothes.  Sweet, huh?  Being the passive-aggressive mal-adjusted adult that I am, I am so furious with Castleberry's Appliance (note - I've used their name four times so you won't ever forget who they are), I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with them.  The dryer is not what I paid for and is not what I want, and will not stay here.  I had conversations yesterday with another Speed Queen dealer here who said he would try to help me correct this situation.  I have not used the dryer yet although it is installed, and I expect it to go back to whomever as a New Dryer - thus the lovely drying rack.

 

Ok guys, by a show of hands, who thinks I will purchase anything at Castleberry's Appliance (fifth time) before Hell freezes over?

 

[DADoES]

 
Three dryer models are shown on SQ's web site.

ADE4BR / ADG4BR has FOUR temp settings -- regular/HIGH, perm press/MED, delicate/LOW, no heat.  Adjustable cycle signal.  Also has selectable extended tumble (wrinkle guard) on both auto-dry cycles (can be set on or off), and a separate timed Wrinkle Out cycle.

ADE3LR / ADG3LR has THREE temp settings -- regular-PermPress/HIGH, delicate/LOW, no heat.  Adjustable cycle signal.  Extended tumble (which cannot be de-selected) only on auto PermPress/Knits cycle.  This is the unit that you ordered per your indication.  Compared to the TOL model, it lacks the medium temp, selectable Extended Tumble and separate Wrinkle Out cycle.

ADE30R / ADG30R is the unit you received.  Compared to 3LR that you ordered, it seems to be missing only the adjustable cycle signal.  Not a serious detriment, but indeed is not the machine you ordered.

 

[pulltostart]

You are correct - there are 3 models.  I originally wanted the TOL, but was told that they were on back order and when I really looked at the dryer most of the features that set it apart from the next one down were primarily for perma-press fabrics (none of which I own).  They included an intermediate temperature, optional extended tumble, and a drying rack.  I decided the MOL would be fine.  The one that was delivered does not have an interior drum lamp (something I really wanted, and the MOL does have the light) and although it is a 'auto dry' model, not only does it not have an adjustable end-of-cycle signal, it has NO end of cycle signal (WTF?).  There is nothing wrong with this dryer and if I had set out to purchase this one, it would be fine.  But my sales receipt is for an ADG3LR dryer and what was delivered was an ADG30R.  This is NOT a "new model", it has been in the line-up as long as I have researched SQ products, and this model does not "replace" the ADG3LR.  I am highly insulted that the salesperson pulled what I consider 'bait-and-switch' tactics on me.  If Castleberry's didn't have the model I wanted (and bought) then they should have explained that the only gas model they had in stock and could deliver yesterday was the BOL model.  A second dealer that I talked with yesterday told me that SQ was having problems keeping up with demand and SQ appliances, at least her in Atlanta, were hard to find.  If I have to order and wait for the one I want, I will do that.  I intend to disconnect the SQ dryer and move my old MT back into the kitchen until the one I want can be delivered and installed - by anyone but Castleberry's.

 

[yogitunes]

Thinks that can tick you off!.........
If this other guy can get you the dryer, I would send BOTH back to DingleBerries, and ask for a FULL refund....just for the bait-and-switch trick they tried to play...

and give the full business to the new guy......

maybe we should have Castleberry's number and address, or even email......and let a few of our members let them know what we think of their customer service....we of AW are not just anybody!

 

[DADoES]

 
I assume there's a price difference.

Since they clearly delivered the wrong machine, they ought be required to either take it back and refund the FULL cost if you don't want the machine ... or refund the difference if you keep it.

 

[retropia]

Assuming you paid for a more expensive model and received a less expensive model, that would be cause for a call to the Better Business Bureau and your state's attorney general. If any of your local television stations have a consumer help service, I'd call them, too.

 

[pulltostart]

I forgot to mention the fact that two reasons I'm enjoying the washer is Steve (Gyrafoam) paid a visit and 1) adjusted the water level control and by-passed the lid switch.

 

Thanks Steve!

 

L

 

[cehalstead]

adjusted the switches

changing those two things make that great new machine a whole different animal!!!!!

 

[mrb627]

Castleberry's

Have you asked for a refund? Does the model number on your bill of sale differ from what is on the machine?

I had Bestbuy pull this on me when I purchsaed my Duet set. Although it was more of a clerk error than attempted fraud. The dryer was a different color from the washer. I didin't notice on the reciept because it was a letter difference in the model number. BB did make it right, though.

I expect Castleberry's would do the same...

Malcolm

 

[pulltostart]

Malcolm,

Yep, the numbers on the dryer do not match the numbers on the receipt - off by one letter - and that's what makes the difference.  I brought all my paperwork with me today and have access to all of these photos.  I'm going to call Castleberry's and give them one chance to correct the error and if that fails I'll be in touch with Britt's.

 

[llmaytag]

Purchase

What a drag that is. I had something similar to that happen when I purchased a washer and dryer for my mom about ten years ago....they delivered the washer, but didn't have the dryer I had originally ordered. In retrospect, I shouldn't have received the washer until they had both because it turned out they couldn't get a matching dryer so I had to get a refund on the dryer and shop around and around to to find a match.

On another note, I have the same model SQ washer and have grown quite fond of it, though I need to get my buddy Peter to come out for a visit and help me fix the water level thing. So other than washing slightly smaller loads than I'd like, it's a great machine. I didn't get the dryer because I'm quite happy with my early 90s Maytag DC Plus dryer. Seeing your SQ dryer, I have to ask...does SQ automatic dry sense based on temperature entering and leaving the drum, or is it a moisture sensor, which other brands often call "electronic dry?"

 

[mrb627]

Britts

I bought my set through Britt's. They are wonderful to work with...

Malcolm

 

[charco68]

Lawrence!

I'm sorry Castleberry's have been such b-holes. I love supporting local businesses over big-box if I can help it. But this kind of stuff I expect from big-box, not local. I hope they set things right for you. You're an honorable man with a lovely home, and you deserve the SQ you paid for!

If your MT isn't up to snuff, I'll lend you the GE. ; )

Charley

PS: Did you sell the Buick yet?? Still swooning over it...

 

[pulltostart]

I called the salesman this morning and said what's at the house will  not work, I don't want it, it's not what I bought, and they need to come pick it up.  He said "ok".  Their options are to either simply come pick it up and void the sale, or bring what i ordered.

 

Regarding the dryer, none of the SQ literature references "electronic" controls.  I am assuming all 3 models use the moisture-sensing technology to determine the dryness of the fabrics.  It still strikes me as odd that a manufacturer would offer a model that operates in this manner and not equip it with an end-of-cycle signal (that is the case with this SQ dryer), even a fixed one (like my old Maytag has).  Since the end of the cycle is not a function of time and can vary from load to load, the user has no way to predict the length of the cycle.  Let me know when the dryer shuts off, please.

 

L

 

[mrb627]

Good News

That is good to hear. Being a smaller retailer, I would expect them to bend over backwards to make you happy. When I got my set, I had an issue with the dryer early on. Britt's recommended that I contact Speed Queen directly and it was taken care of.

Nobody likes having buyer's remorse and anything that happens in the first 30 days unfortunately can set that in motion...

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Going Out Of Business

I saw a commercial on tv this morning that Castleberry's is closing stores. I don't recall them actually stating that they were going out of business. But they are closing some if not all stores.