Advice on a "Shredmore" & vintage GE dryer

[lowefficiency]

Hey everyone. First post here, but I've already got my $12 worth just in the past few weeks of research, so thanks for the wealth of information.

After a few months of frustration with the modern high efficiency appliances that came with our new house, we are ready to step down/up to a "real" washer and dryer that actually get our clothes clean!

The local ads are a bit thin here at the moment, but I found a pair of machines that might work.

The washer is a "Kenmore Ultra Fabric Care 1 - Extra Capacity Plus", model number 110.92584100. White with a black face, with white and red lettering (1990s?). Big control knob on the right, with knobs on the left for water level, temperatures, and agitate/spin settings.

The dryer is a General Electric... Heavy duty, large capacity, automatic sensor, optional signal, with "extra care". (1970s?). Model number DDE8200VACWH. White/cream color(?), aluminum and wood grain panel. Push in/out button selections on the left side for the heat settings, extra care and signal push buttons in the middle, and a chrome main control knob on the right side. It's the electric model.

They are priced a bit high at the moment, but might come down. Any thoughts on running these as daily machines? The Kenmore washer obviously has the "Shredmore" reputation... But paying attention to load sizes, etc, seem like a manageable prevention routine. I'm ok with being the repairman if/when they need it.

My parents have a set of center dial Maytags they bought new in the 60s and have kept going.. I'd love to have a set of those, but my folks would never sell theirs, and I haven't found any like them locally.

Any/all thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

[goatfarmer]

The dryer looks to be TOl. I wouldn't have a problem buying either on, for the right price.

 

[appnut]

That is the EXACT dryer I bought April 1978.  (Notice the Perm Press/Poly Knits heat button has "Normal" on the right rather than  "Special" or "Medium".  Looks to be a clean washer.  It has speed selector independent of cycle--a must-have with Shremores--wish my Lady had it.   Wonder if the electronic sensor isn't working right given it looks like it's only used for timed dry rather than the auto dry cycles. Well I take that comment back.  Delicate/low heat button is pushed in and that will only operate on timed dry not auto dry.  Lettering on temp panel coincides with corresponding color bands of the timer dial.  End of cycle buzzer runs for two minutes. 

 

[lowefficiency]

Two minutes! That should get your attention.

So from your replies, it sounds like the dryer might be the better find of the two, but the washer at least has the ability to keep the agitation in check. Sounds good. It looks like both the gentle and regular options have the slow agitation.

appnut- What is the heat difference between this dryer's "normal", and the "special" or "medium" you mentioned? (What is "normal"?) Also, did you like your dryer, and did it last well for you? I don't think I would have noticed the control color coordination... Or at least not from the low resolution photos.

goatfarmer- from what I can see, it does look pretty close to top of the line. This is the DDE8200V, and then there was the DDE9200V... I can't tell the difference, except the 9200 appears to have the "special" temperature that appnut mentioned?

If anyone has some ballpark values for what they think these machines would be worth... Or what you might offer for them... I'd appreciate it. I've always lucked out and had older machines that just come with the places we've rented, but haven't bought any older sets myself and don't have any collecting pricing background.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[stan]

I wouldn't mind

having either of the machines.
The Kenmore looks to be a good machine, also looks like you'd have control over rinse temps.
I personally like being able to use warm for rinsing.
The Kenmore is relatively easy to work on, and parts are inexpensive and available.
$200.00 for the pair seems reasonable to me.
How much is the seller asking?

 

[lowefficiency]

They're asking for $300 for the pair.

We're in that tricky spot where we would be more likely to overpay, just because we are so tired of our newer machines and would be willing to pay a bit more to solve the problem and stop ruining clothes. But at the same time, $300 seems like a bit much for an unmatched pair, and I'd probably end up looking for a matching washer or dryer down the road to complete a set. If they were cheaper, I could more easily justify them as temporary.

 

[ea56]

Why not try to negotiate just buying the washer for an agreeable price, use the dryer you still have while looking for a dryer to match the washer? Then you will be able to start washing your clothes the way you want right away and still be working towards your matched set. Just a thought.
Eddie

 

[bendixmark]

washer

That is a terrific washer,those are super tough and a breeze to repair.they often get a bad rap but that is I am sorry to say because people are being boneheads with them and loading those machines improperly.Mark the laundry god has spoken....The washer is a 1994 and the dryer late 70s like someone else said $200 would be reasonable.

 

[goatfarmer]

I agree, $200.00 is much closer to a fair price.

 

[appnut]

The only thing I didn't like about the dryer was low/delicate temp was timed dry only.  And I didn't discover that until I got to read through the owners manual.  I replaced the GE set with the Lady Shredmore set in October 1986. 

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks guys, appreciate the insight.

Yeah, we're looking to replace both of our machines. The current washer just doesn't use enough water to get things clean, and the dryer (by design) uses high heat on all settings.

I'll follow up on these and see what I can negotiate with the seller.

 

[stan]

You

Might offer $200 and see what happens, or let the seller know that's as high as your willing to go. If the seller doesn't get a better offer then...
Let us know how you make out.

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks everyone.

I waited too long, trying to decide what to do (the dilemma of finding a matched pair), and the washer has since sold. So the hunt continues.

I'm following a lead on a center dial Maytag dryer- the DE806 I mentioned in the other thread. For what it's worth, any general thoughts on how these two dryers stack up against each other? Both are near TOL, but seem to be quite different- lower (but more even) heat mostly automatic (Maytag), verses the fully configurable (GE)... I'm leaning toward the Maytag for aesthetics and nostalgia, but feel free to be honest.

 

[swestoyz]

You know, I thought I saw that GE Dryer on a [somewhat] local CL ad.  If you are in Iowa, I'm trying to sell my KitchenAid set at the moment.

 

http://waterloo.craigslist.org/app/5674047164.html

 

Ben

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks Ben! I just found your other thread as well - I'll send you a PM!