Bare Bones GE W/D

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Bare bones, RCA branded GE built, 90s washer and dryer.

Many manufacturers made these very stripped down machines to lure people into the store. They would advertise full-size washer and electric dryer or whatever, and when people got into the store, most people wanted a few more features, but more than that the sales people usually made zero money selling these or were even penalized for selling these basic models so not many were sold, which makes them kind of rare.

Even Maytag engaged in this behavior a little bit they had the old bluebell basic ringer washer for example, we just recycled de 90 halo of heat dryer from the early 70s also. Maytag sold the basic model which did not match any of their washers when manufacturers were trying to get consumers to buy their first clothes dryer.

John L
 
Dang!

Those machines make the 1989 BOL Kenmore set my granny had look downright fancy. I didn’t realize that GE did anything more basic than an RCA dryer I parted out a couple of years back that had the 70 minute long timed dry cycle set for air only, with no option to change it. Also, is that brown stuff the protective film still on the consoles, or is that just what color they are?

Bare bones, RCA branded GE built, 90s washer and dryer.

Many manufacturers made these very stripped down machines to lure people into the store. They would advertise full-size washer and electric dryer or whatever, and when people got into the store, most people wanted a few more features, but more than that the sales people usually made zero money selling these or were even penalized for selling these basic models so not many were sold, which makes them kind of rare.

Even Maytag engaged in this behavior a little bit they had the old bluebell basic ringer washer for example, we just recycled de 90 halo of heat dryer from the early 70s also. Maytag sold the basic model which did not match any of their washers when manufacturers were trying to get consumers to buy their first clothes dryer.

John L
I’ve noticed that too. I’ve heard rumors that some places, such as Sears, made those really cheap machines special order only to discourage people from buying them, and that sales reps could be fired if they sold too many of them. Granny ordered hers through the catalog, so she didn’t get a sales pitch. If she had, I’m quite confident that she would have had a fancier set. I’ve also noticed that a lot of the people who insisted on getting the cheap BOL machines didn’t seem to take the best care of them, so finding well preserved examples is a bit of a treat.

Thatwasherguy.
 
Hi, reply number eight

Yes, it’s sad that the basic machines usually don’t get well taken care of, they’re usually bought by people with less money and lots of laundry or put in rental properties, etc.

You see the same thing in basics, inexpensive, automobiles it’s really hard to find a vintage one That’s in great shape. People tend to use them up. Wear them out and throw them out, the main differences there’s a lot more basic cars sold than basic washers and dryers.

The color of the control panels on these GE’s is Brown, I think they wanted them to look kind of cheap basic Kenmore's did that with some basic models too where they looked very plain, definitely no chrome trim, lol

John L
 
The thing I love about these is the single cycle knob. Only thing I would do is add a water level, temp selector, motor speed switch with a two or three speed motor, super capacity tub, quiet pack and dual action agitator.

I do not like having more than one cycle on a knob.

Does anyone know if the dryer is auto dry or timed dry? and how much time for the dryer knob to complete one full revolution?
 
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