A Tale of Two Speed Queens

[angus]

I would be furious as well. I too believe in supporting local businesses. But last year when my 5 year old SQ washer needed a belt, I had a horrible service experience with a local independent, Ted's Appliances of Huntington, CT. That is a name I want all Connecticut members to always keep in mind!!! I won't rehash the whole sordid business (posted extensively on that last January/February), but the point is that we also must be careful about local businesses - not all are that consumer friendly.

I have tried not to think about the Ted;s experience too much over the past year and focus instead on the great service I received from Jeff's Appliances in Shelton, CT. The service rep had the machine fixed and running perfectly within 15 minutes of arriving, cleaned up the mess under the machine that Ted's son made by spraying everything with WD 40 and I didn't even have to pay for the part. Alliance sent it to me for free after the Ted's debacle. I do wonder though how much more damage Ted;s son did to others on different appliances...

 

[peterh770]

Keep after them, even if just calling them every day to see if they answer the phone... If "some" stores are being closed, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the appliance one, with Brandsmart, Home Depot, Lowes and Best Buy being close by...

 

[retropia]

If you made this purchase on a credit card, I would go ahead and file a dispute with your credit card company NOW. If this drags on past the time you are allowed to file a dispute (60 days from purchase date, I think), you won't have that option.

If the appliance seller is able to resolve the matter, then the credit card dispute can be dropped. If not, then you've protected yourself. Your credit card company will want to see proof of the mixup, and they will want to know that you've already contacted the retailer to give them an attempt to resolve the dispute.

I'm not sure how it works if the seller goes into bankruptcy after the credit card dispute is filed.

 

[mrb627]

Credit Card

Filing a complaint with your credit card company is not a bad idea. If anything, call them and explain the situation and see what they advise. They may recommend not pursuing a dispute as the retailer is promising to make good, but at least they can make note in your file that you did make contact with them.

Malcolm

 

[qualin]

My Experience

Wow.. This almost sounds like my experience, but almost..

I had ordered a Huebsch ZDG4BR, which the TOL gas dryer they sell at the start of December.

Unfortunately, when I called to follow up last week, I found out that the appliance store had decided to substitute in a ZDG3LR, which is nearly identical to the ZDG4BR, except that it lacks the extra tumble cycle, which IMHO is pretty important for wrinkle prone fabrics. They did this because it would take six weeks to get one in, because it's what their distributor had in stock.

The store thought they were doing me a favor by getting me a cheaper unit (Was about $100 cheaper) and something their distributor had in stock.

Instead they annoyed me. I had to redo my order last week, now I won't have the replacement dryer in until March. It's not all bad though, I had to have some pricey repair work done to my car, so it kind of works out.

In the course of my job, I purchase upwards of a half million dollars in computer hardware, software and services every year. If one of my vendors tried to pull a stunt like that on me because "It was more readily available" or "It was cheaper and you won't mind the difference", they would lose my business fast.

I'm really surprised to see this going on with white goods. I can order a customized server from HP and can it shipped overnight with any configuration I want. It takes less than a week from the time I place the order to the time it is on my door step. I don't see why washing machines and dryers have to be any different. They're no more difficult to build than a server.

I am this >< close to giving Mr. Chuck Melton a really good piece of my mind.

 

[mrb627]

Simple

The distributor will not order a single piece from the factory. So, your order sits and waits till there is enough need to order a quantity. The larger the order, the better the discount from the factory either on per unit cost or shipping.

I wonder if ordering your machine from an online vendor would result in a quicker turnaround. I have seen some of the auctions on ebay claim your order is shipped direct from the factory to you.

Malcolm

 

[lovestowash]

"The Board of Directors"...

I'm LOL at that one...wonder if they called a special "Board Meeting" to address the fate of your dryer...

Their commercial was just on TV regarding the closing...seems to be "Castleberry's Furniture" and "Treasures For Your Home" locations in the metro, consolidating to the main location in Chamblee...

My parents bought lots of furniture from them in the past, and they had a stellar reputation...hopefully that still exists...

George

 

[pulltostart]

George,

I agree.  At first I was amused, then wasn't sure what to think.  I would have expected "the Owner" or "the Owners" - either way, I think the point was that everyone associated with the sale and the appliance business knew that a mistake had been made.  I would love to know who was actually behind the decision to sell one model and deliver another model, but I can also live without that knowledge.  As long as they bring out the right appliance, I don't care.

 

L

 

[mrb627]

Extend Tumble

I will say that I use the Extend Tumble option most of the time on my dryer. Usually opting for the second or third calling of the end of cycle signal before emptying the dryer. It sure seems that clothing is smoother and less wrinkled if cooled to room temperature rather than the quick 3 minute cool down that most other dryers on the market offer.

Malcolm

 

[alr2903]

Do you have a $number in your mind, that would allow you to live with the one you have?   You might get a nice little bonus out of this deal.  If  Castleberri is closing this could turn into  a real snafu.  alr

 

[mrb627]

Stick to your GUNS!

Get the machine that is ultimately going to allow you to sleep at night. You have done your research and made your choice. Castleberry's should honor your purchase decision.

On a side note, I still see the FL washer with heater still available at an ebay retailer even though they have been discontinued. Wonder if purchasing one would result in the same bait and switch result.

Malcolm

 

[pulltostart]

I've used this one several times now, in fact, about to throw in yet another load right now.  It works fine with one exception.  As I stated above the dryer has 3 cycles - timed dry, auto dry for perma press, auto dry for regular fabrics - and there is NO end of cycle signal.  Even with the auto dry cycles, when the cycle is over the dryer just shuts off with no announcement.  If it had at least a fixed signal, like my Maytag had, I could live with it.  Castleberry's has no control over that - for that I blame some dumb a$$ at SQ.

 

L

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Funny about end of cycle signals

My house Kenmore dryer has a non-adjustable signal and it is LOUD. My mother has basically the same dryer though hers is one model up with an adjustable signal, which she keeps on the 'off' position.

My second dryer in the garage has no signal buzzer and I've never missed it.

I was reading the reviews of the Admiral dryer again on Home Depot's website the other day....it is probably one of the best dryers for the money anywhere right now. BUT, one reviewer said the same as you Lawrence...missing the end of cycle signal.

I guess to each his own! I would prefer to have one that is adjustable, and keep it fairly mute, but audible.

Gordon

 

[alr2903]

It also depends on where the dryer is.   Ours is lower level and in, an addition to the back. My  signal is off  i cannot hear it in the house.  I always use the cycle with the "wrinkle guard" and go back after an hour. alr