But Martin, even then, mechanics and service people can harbor biases for products that let them overlook faults that would drive someone else to distraction.
CR Downrating Front Loaders
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I highly doubt that they are being "bought". Just imagine legal nightmare that would ensue. Say cars for example.. how could any of the big manufacturers "buy" a good rating? Look at the years and years Suzuki had them in court because of a bad rating which they eventually lost..CR was able to prove repeatedly to the court that their test was not biased by running the exact test over and over and getting the same result. And with all of these company's owning each or part of each other off and on over the years,, they'd know. Remember they're not for profit. they make a lot of money from donations and subscriptions . Lastly,,, you would think after what 80 years.. and the hundreds or thousands of people they've employed in that time that some of them were shall we say "disgruntled" as there are in every workplace.. If shenanigans had or were going on you can be damn well assured that it would come out, be leaked, by one of them.. And it hasn't.
Okay, Suzuki & Rollovers, there's also the Ford Explorer and Firestone... Lawsuits ensuing there just as badly, and people needing help as numbers of injuries and deaths rose from each event...
Consumer ("You know who/what") Reports just as much got caught in the crossfires of--along the lines of 'reporters of the Clark Kent/Jimmy Olsen/Lois Lane-breed', only no Superman could save them, there...
-- Dave
Consumer ("You know who/what") Reports just as much got caught in the crossfires of--along the lines of 'reporters of the Clark Kent/Jimmy Olsen/Lois Lane-breed', only no Superman could save them, there...
-- Dave
brucelucenta
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consumer reports
Consumer reports attempted to guide in the purchase of items they tested. They could not really test the longevity of many things that were new on the market, such as automatic washers. They did test them on how well they did their job though and were pretty accurate. That was small consolation when someone bought a Norge washer in the 50's because it was rated so highly and it broke down so frequently for instance. As far as front load washers, the early ones all rotated in only one direction and were small capacity in comparison to many top load machines. They were very good for sediment and lint disposal, but not that great at cleaning really grimy items. They were fairly poor at water extraction too. I also think that the early front load machines needed service more frequently too. It was not until much later, probably the late 80's or early 90's that front load machines changed drastically and had larger capacity, reversed rotation and spun water out far better that they were rated highly in consumer reports. Now they are the clear choice when buying a new machine because of the superior job they do with a minimum amount of water and energy.
Consumer reports attempted to guide in the purchase of items they tested. They could not really test the longevity of many things that were new on the market, such as automatic washers. They did test them on how well they did their job though and were pretty accurate. That was small consolation when someone bought a Norge washer in the 50's because it was rated so highly and it broke down so frequently for instance. As far as front load washers, the early ones all rotated in only one direction and were small capacity in comparison to many top load machines. They were very good for sediment and lint disposal, but not that great at cleaning really grimy items. They were fairly poor at water extraction too. I also think that the early front load machines needed service more frequently too. It was not until much later, probably the late 80's or early 90's that front load machines changed drastically and had larger capacity, reversed rotation and spun water out far better that they were rated highly in consumer reports. Now they are the clear choice when buying a new machine because of the superior job they do with a minimum amount of water and energy.
re 'frigilux'
Regarding online surveys and input on products--all those years that I was in health care, we knew that one characteristic would invariably factor in on feedback from the public and our patients: people are roughly ten times more likely to complain than commend. I could count on hearing from someone who was unhappy about some aspect of their experience much more often than someone who had a pleasant one. With Lowe's, HD, etc., I take that into account.
As a manager of people working with the public for a few decades, I'd recommend giving good feedback whenever you can, to take the trouble. I called the owner of my local appliance dealer a couple of weeks ago, after his employees did a fine job of installing my new SQ pair. If I need plumbing or a/c work, any of that type of service--if the guy coming does good work, is pleasant, etc., I call his employer or business and report it. Please just don't assume that they know this guy is doing a good job--let them know it.
Regarding online surveys and input on products--all those years that I was in health care, we knew that one characteristic would invariably factor in on feedback from the public and our patients: people are roughly ten times more likely to complain than commend. I could count on hearing from someone who was unhappy about some aspect of their experience much more often than someone who had a pleasant one. With Lowe's, HD, etc., I take that into account.
As a manager of people working with the public for a few decades, I'd recommend giving good feedback whenever you can, to take the trouble. I called the owner of my local appliance dealer a couple of weeks ago, after his employees did a fine job of installing my new SQ pair. If I need plumbing or a/c work, any of that type of service--if the guy coming does good work, is pleasant, etc., I call his employer or business and report it. Please just don't assume that they know this guy is doing a good job--let them know it.
John
I couldn't agree with you more! I too was a supervisor for the last 16 years I worked for the Human Service Dept. People always want to call and complain, but they will seldom give a commendation for good service. I have made it a point all my life to give credit where credit is due. When someone does a good job for me I always call the appropriate party and make sure that the worker gets recognition for a job well done. Having worked with the public all my working life I know how meaningful it is to hear something good about an employee or to be an employee commended for a job well done.
And as a supervisor I never let an opportunity go by to give praise. Its human nature to live up to recognition for good work, and conversely, to sink in performance if one believes that no one cares that they are doing a good job. People live up or down to how they are preceived.
For this reason I believe its always a good idea to take some negative reviews with a grain of salt.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 10/10/2017-15:56]
I couldn't agree with you more! I too was a supervisor for the last 16 years I worked for the Human Service Dept. People always want to call and complain, but they will seldom give a commendation for good service. I have made it a point all my life to give credit where credit is due. When someone does a good job for me I always call the appropriate party and make sure that the worker gets recognition for a job well done. Having worked with the public all my working life I know how meaningful it is to hear something good about an employee or to be an employee commended for a job well done.
And as a supervisor I never let an opportunity go by to give praise. Its human nature to live up to recognition for good work, and conversely, to sink in performance if one believes that no one cares that they are doing a good job. People live up or down to how they are preceived.
For this reason I believe its always a good idea to take some negative reviews with a grain of salt.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 10/10/2017-15:56]
gyrafoam
Well-known member
If all I had to choose from was a 1953 Bendix Combo I would be just fine. Just need some Dash detergent or All.No problem.
losangeles
Well-known member
Cr Downrating Front Loaders
When I retired from the Naval Submarine Service I upgraded from a Lg capacity WP with the Super Surgilator agitator. I bought a 2006 WP Duet pair. Rather invested. It was the most expensive appliances in the house. It has been and continues to be a great machine. It has washed its way through two kids in college, loads and loads of nursing uniforms, miles of sheets, towels, quilts jeans and even my grimy garden clothes and even the sheerest curtains and has not given me so much as a sneeze of trouble. I have had one water valve replacement but it was still under warranty. It is now 11 years old and still going strong. If I could have changed anything in the washer it would have been the tilted tub. Washing a load of jeans or towels is a tangling nightmare. I frequently have to pause before the final spin to detangle so the machine will balance and go into the final high speed spin. And the 1200 RPM final spin. WOW, What a finale! My mother-in-law had a Westinghouse slant front that was the same with tangling as my WP. You would think that WP would have learned that tilted tubs were a mistake. BTW what was the thinking behind the tilted tub. Anyway, I did not consult CR before buying. I relied mostly on word of mouth. Again, is there a reliable source of information/ratings for washer coming on the market in 2018? Thanks for listening.
When I retired from the Naval Submarine Service I upgraded from a Lg capacity WP with the Super Surgilator agitator. I bought a 2006 WP Duet pair. Rather invested. It was the most expensive appliances in the house. It has been and continues to be a great machine. It has washed its way through two kids in college, loads and loads of nursing uniforms, miles of sheets, towels, quilts jeans and even my grimy garden clothes and even the sheerest curtains and has not given me so much as a sneeze of trouble. I have had one water valve replacement but it was still under warranty. It is now 11 years old and still going strong. If I could have changed anything in the washer it would have been the tilted tub. Washing a load of jeans or towels is a tangling nightmare. I frequently have to pause before the final spin to detangle so the machine will balance and go into the final high speed spin. And the 1200 RPM final spin. WOW, What a finale! My mother-in-law had a Westinghouse slant front that was the same with tangling as my WP. You would think that WP would have learned that tilted tubs were a mistake. BTW what was the thinking behind the tilted tub. Anyway, I did not consult CR before buying. I relied mostly on word of mouth. Again, is there a reliable source of information/ratings for washer coming on the market in 2018? Thanks for listening.
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