I've Got You Under My Skin

[mixfinder]

We come here to share the pros and cons of appliance brands.

We have brands preferences.

We enlighten each other with who the manufacturer of certain Kenmore models is.

I understand buying Kenmore if you are tied to them for a credit source.

What are other reasons to buy Kenmore and not from the manufacturer of origin?

Kelly

 

[panthera]

one big reason

Sears specifies a much higher level of quality than Whirlpool delivers under their own name. At least, this is what I have been told. I wouldn't buy a modern Whirlpool unless the alternative were Rocky Mountain Streams (frozen 10 months out of the year and ice cold the other two).
Other reason - Sears has a decent repair team, at least in northern Colorado. They are competent, friendly and know how to work on a machine without scratching, dinging or denting it to death.
They also are capapble of repairing not just replacing.
If Whirlpool support in the 'States is even 1000x better than over here, it still sucks big time.

 

[maytagbear]

Used to be---

that Sears was in rural communities that were not served by other appliance stores. No idea if this is still true, however. Seems like BestBuy, bLowe's, and Homo Despot are everywhere now.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[toggleswitch]

I have heard a rumour that one-badge bandits still exist!
--for thoses that want one brand name through-out!

1- To get various mannies under one badge.
2- To get a parts list and a source of parts.

Where I grew up Sears was the one appliance outlet that one could find without research~ the others kept closing and disappearing. (Before P.C. Richard & Son, anyway).

Editor's note: NYC apts include (some) appliances that are not really used anyway, no need to have so many sources.

 

[mixfinder]

Bandits

Slipped the noose around my own neck with the one badge club. I am all about that.

Finding Sears repair team to be incrementally more expensive has been my experience. This is one reason I move away from using the brand.

Kelly

 

[petek]

Kenmore has long been the largest selling brand name in Canada, probably since the early 50's. Catalog sales probably helped but they weren't the only catalog retailer either because Eatons also had a catalog and sold white goods, offered repairs and easy credit. For some reason the Kenmore brand took on a life of its own that other rebadges never did. It sort of parallels Sears vs Wards in the US

 

[Maytagmom]

Hi, My name is Maytagmom, and I use to use Kenmore appliance

USE to. When I moved into my present location 5 yrs ago, and had to buy a washer, I went to the local rag paper, and found a guy who sold used machines. I bought a nice Kenmore for $135.00. It did not last 6 months. Transmission went keplunkt. Well, I was mad at the name, and the guy who sold it to me. Would of like to have dumped it back into his driveway. Well actually I would of liked to have had a cherry picker drop it onto his driveway from 50 ft.

I've had a couple of Kenmore's in the past. But I don't remember anything except one particular pair being TOL bought in 1985, almond color, for almost $1K. We paid cash for them, and I wanted the best, at the time.

After the used Kenmore died, I was gifted with the Maytag 606, and I have been in love ever since.

C

 

[coldspot66]

Contrary to what some beleive, Kenmore appliances are not ANY different mechanically from the manufacturer who makes them. Sears Kenmore washers have always had a few features (bells and whistles) that are exculsive to them i.e. (First dual action agitator; off balance buzzer on belt drive machines). I repair appliances for a living, and have ALWAYS preferred most appliances in the Kenmore name........specifically manufactured by Whirlpool. For most of W/P's quality is pretty consistent across their product line. It's usually the only brand i recommend to customers. They are weak in the cooking catagory; GE is tops in that! Just my 2 cents!!!!!

 

[agiflow]

I would buy any major appliance with the Kenmore nameplate as long as WP was the source. The washer we have from KM now is 3 years and not a problem yet (knock wood)

 

[toggleswitch]

Step away from the Kenmore

so, Pat how do we wean you from this addiction to top-loading Kenmores?

(Ducks and runs)

 

[mixfinder]

Why, mommy?

The question I am asking, still remains and is highlighted in the last few threads.

Kenmore does not make appliances.
Structurally a Kenmore washer is the same as Whirlpool, etc.

Why not just buy the Whirlpool and avoid Sears?

I still do not get the Sears fascination, when the same product can be had unders its manufacturer label.

Are we into procurement?

Kelly

 

[toggleswitch]

Label Queen

I would consider a FRIGIDAIRE top-loader in an emergency.
(It spray-rinses BREFORE and AFTER the deep rinse and has a slow, wide arc).

I would not consider a White-Wetinghouse badged one.

Ridiculous aren't I?

 

[agiflow]

Well the reason is simple...Kenmores just LOOK better than Whirlys...(well they did when KM still had side opening lids)

how shallow was that? LOL

 

[agiflow]

It is probably the little extras KM used on their appliances that makes many people believe that the product is of better quality.

Brand loyalty of course...especially if you had good service from their products. I think most people outside of this forum and forums like this have no clue that the Kenmore in their laundry room was made by WP, Elextrolux.

I have a friend who thought Sears made all their own stuff.
I realized early in childhood that the WP Sears connection was apparent, neighbors had a mid-sixties whirly washer and we had the Kenmore....that D shaped opening was a dead giveaway.

 

[maytagbear]

At one time,

but no longer, all our appliances were Maytag. Washer, dryer, dishwasher, fridge, stove. The only two that were not were the Radarange and chest freezer.

It was a nice time in my life. The stove was a rebadged gas Hardwick, and I loved it.

Now, like more people, it's a mix. Washer and dryer are still Maytags (Dependable Care,) but my dishwasher (a gift) is GE, and the landlord provided stove is a Tappan, and the fridge is Magic Chef.

And as for why Kenmore, consumer decisions are often clouded and mysterious.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[agiflow]

And as for why Kenmore, consumer decisions are often clouded

I certainly do not feel my choice was clouded in the least.

(not trying to be defensive. )

 

[mixfinder]

Connections

Again, I really am attached to the idea appliances should be the same brand.

I kept the first washer and dryer for 23 years, because I wanted to see how long a Maytag would last. The young couple I gave them to are still using the washer.

After GM quit the Frigidaire line, I found used Frigidaire stoves and fridges and teamed them with a Maytag dishwasher and laundry pair.

In 1987, I bought the first Maytag (Magic Chef) side by side sold in Washington. It was gauranteed until the year 2000!!!!!!!! which was the sales promo in the rollout. Then, everything Maytag but the range.

In 1997, I got the most amazing Frigidaire Custom Imperial Fridge, with the freezer on the bottom and a matching Flair. They where just like Samantha's. At a college auction, they were selling stuff from a kitchen remodel of the presidents house. I put in a closed bid of 40.00 on a Kitchenaid Superba dishwasher and won. The next year I bought a new TOL Atlantis set and it was the most enjoyable and perfect appliance team I ever owned.

I have spent more money in appliance stores than most people have in their 401k. Corporate jobs got me addicted to moving and before it was vogue, my wife and I were house flippers.

If I was going to plop down several thousand dollars on appliances, I wanted to buy from someone I liked.

Now, I was shopping by brand and dealer. Once that connection was cemented, I treated my dealer like gold and vice versa.

I miss that in todays anonymous exchange at Sears or Home Depot.

Kelly