Help I'm so confused!

[turboace]

I am moving into a new house and need to purchase a new front load washer and dryer pair. I had all but decided on the Electrolux Wave Touch EWFLW65IMB, and matching Wave touch steam dryer. They have had great reviews and I love the color. However, today I looked at Consumer Reports and they are second to the Samsung. I also currently have an LG Trom set and have not had any problems with them.

My confusion comes around the fact that the Electrolux are the most expensive FL's you can get, with exception to the Miele. So, now I'm trying to justify getting the Lux over the other brands due to the increased cost. The other thing I can not figure out is are the Lux direct drive like the LG are, or do the washers have a belt drive? Does it matter?

Also, can't figure out where to get them. Has anyone used ajmadison.com? They have free delivery and there would be no tax for me since they do not have stores in North Carolina, where I am moving. I would like to do business with a small indy where I am moving, but afraid they will not be able to compete price wise with the big volume guys.

All advice considered and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[redcarpetdrew]

afraid they will not be able to compete price wise with the

There are SO many things to consider here. I work for a small independent franchise dealer. You'd be surprised sometimes what a dealer can do with the price. Sometimes not. There are trade offs that can more than make up the difference.

Do you want to deal with a local co. who not only will sell the machine but also back it up with a service department? Most if not all big box stores (BBS) have little or no service to be had when issues crop up. For the most part, they will give you the 1-800 number then move onto the next sale. Sometimes with a fair amount of badgering, the BBS's might exchange the unit if it's new enough. Local stores tend to be very protective of their customers and have immediate service with a LOCAL call (and a very good chance of talking to the tech who'll be coming out...). Many local dealers are 'self servicing' which means they will primarily (if not ONLY) do warranty support for machines they sell as a perk for their customers. It's very irritating to have a customer come to our store, spend a fair amount of time with the floor people who can answer real questions, Then go buy it cheaper, sometimes by as little as $5-$25. Then if it breaks down, the BBS can only give the 1-800# and that customer is right back over DEMANDING (and not in a good way) that we come fix it right away while still bragging about how good that $20 savings over us was...

Indy's tend to have better product knowledge which means selling the right machine for the customer, hopefully avoiding problem products by adjusting sooner than later. For example, when the Amanatag's (SAV's) were selling, we saw the first flood of problem machines early since we did our own service. Once we saw where the Amanatag design was going (pretty much south), we could adjust how we sold them. We actually stopped selling them unless the customer really had a jones for them as to try to avoid the customer heartache.

And, of course, your money stays local...

Speaking of Samsungs, how they got so highly rated is beyond me. Hopefully it was by SERIOUSLY cleaning up their design as the Maytag MAH67/87/9700 washers were sourced by Samsung. Big vibration issues made worse by being on a riser on anything other than cement flooring. I'm STILL picking up the pieces from those...

I am starting to hear somewhat positive feedback on the LG's...

Sorry for the soapbox sermon...
RCD

 

[laundromat]

Lux

As nice as they appear,I have heard of owners with issues on the E'lux's.Some had been d.o.a. others had been real cheap regarding the cabinet finish and rust issues in humid ares.I truly had great service with my own L.G.s and do use my own experience ,along with the many others I know personaly, who were at first a bit sceptical in regards to purchasing them due to horror stories they heard from others they knew who had them with some issues. mostly customer ignorance resolved by trouble shooting over the phone.They're realtivly simple to figure out and,if you press the two center buttons,it enables anyone to put the different functions throgh a test to see what could posibly be causing different malfunctions.I love mine and recomend it to anyone who wants a good machine for the money.

 

[travlincub321]

If i recall right your moving to the Wilmington, NC area...There are not many independant dealers.. There is one in carolina beach, but they sell tags and whirlys IF there still in busniess.. Otherwise i know theres another maytag right before the CB bridge... The e'luxs are nice from what i've seen but i have gotten spoiled by my Asko XXL's...Consumer Reports is ment as a shopping idea.. And is better kept by ones toilet for reading.. The samsungs arent bad but like anything else not great...

IF your going to get a set, look at Home Depot and the LG's.. There fairly decent down there.. And so is lowes.. The home depot is newer though..

If you have any questions lemme know.. Been to wilmington alot

 

[alr2903]

Something to consider, is overstock.com, $1 shipping and no sales tax. With the savings you can get the extended warranty. i have never bought an appliance from them but my tv from them was a great deal. They actually call you and give you the freight number and company. i was impressed. alr2903

 

[iheartmaytag]

When I was looking for my new Washer

I was told by the lady at Lowe's that E-Lux sets their prices and the stores are not allowed to go away from their price points. E-Lux conducts surveys and interviews with people that have purchased the machines, and if they are found to get an un-authorized deal the store can lose their franchise.

This was confirmed by an independent who no longer carries E-Lux or Frigidaire lines.

I bought my machines (Not Electrolux) from an independent dealer and they were most willing to deal. I got the Steam Washer/Steam dryer two pedistals delivery hook up for less than the Electrolux washer by itself would have cost.

Now the long term question will be: Can the Electrolux line outlast the other brands to the degree that they will justify their pricing? As the big honking machines are relatively new on the market; this will be a time will tell question to be answered.

 

[gansky1]

Well, get another cup of coffee and pull that ashtray over h

I was in Sears the other day chatting with a friend that works in the appliance department there. I asked about some of the brands they get callbacks and returns on. Not everyone calls through the store, but many times that's where customers call first as that was the beginning of their appliance saga and a seemingly logical place to start if there is trouble. She's there full time and one of the top sellers in the department so she sees and hears quite a bit of what's going on. She said that since they started selling the LG and Kenmore-branded LG machines, there have been few complaints and service problems get resolved quickly or within reasonable amounts of time for the most part. The Whirlpool products are the most trouble-free, but there is always a story to prove the exception to the "rule". The sheer volume of appliances that move through the Sears system is astounding, I remember this from working there 20 years ago.

I asked about the LG dishwashers and she said that having not had those for long aside, they haven't had one return so far. She doesn't like machines without a built-in disposer (though she has a KDI-20 in her home!) so the LG is one of the few "euro-style" that does. The capacity is amazing compared to Bosch for sure as they were side-by-side in the display. The TV promotions of the Samshung has been brilliant and sold many of those sets. She recommends them for second-floor installations or anywhere vibration might be an issue as that four-point shock absorber suspension system they have now is outstanding. Time will tell, of course for all of these newfangled gadgets!

One thing she did mention that I found interesting is that the "BOL" Frigidaire-made front loaders seem to have a stellar reputation for trouble-free service and long term satisfaction. She has people in all the time asking for them as they either had one themselves that just wore out or they know someone that has one and the pricing can't be beat. These machines have been on the market for nearly 10 years (?) and seem to have really proven themselves.

A new promotion that Sears is doing is having a monthly "Friends & Family Discount Night" once a month on Sunday evenings. Additional 10-20% off of appliances depending on how you pay for them (Sears credit gets more, I'm sure) and it's easy to find out when these days are, just ask any associate. "My friend upstairs told me about it but I forgot the date, can you remind me?" Hee hee

 

[cleanteamofny]

To start off, belt or DD is just a motion to get your clothes clean so it really does not matter.
Since I'm one of the few owners of the LUX, I must say that the cleaning is outstanding with the little water that is uses.

The Lux's is a fixed priced machine unless one color is on sale to push volume so don't look for the prices to go down anytime soon....
As for getting them through AJ Madison, they a popular website and if you can look for other agents through www.pricegrabber.com one maybe closer to you.
I'm soon to buy the matching dryer in a few weeks so this will be added to the on going thread on Electrolux Washer.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/MODERN/22155.htm?277

 

[turboace]

Made my mind up

I ordered the Wave Touch washer and dryer yesterday. I found a local Indy in Wilmington, NC that totally matched price and offers of big box stores. I'll get a $300 rebate since I got them by the 29th of Nov. Also, there were only two Mediterainian Blue washers left in stock, so if they can't get one for me, they are going to up me to the new steam wave touch washer for free. I guess it pays to go local. Also, they will take them into their warehouse and then deliver to me. This helps out alot since I want them delivered the day I close on my new house or the day after. With the big box stores, there is no flexibility, they are only in certain areas on certain days. I'm so excited I can't wait.

 

[travlincub321]

Congrats! Curious who you got them through.,.Been a while since i was there