Marathon(??) Washer/Dryer Combo...

[launderess]

Mr. Glenn Reid seems like another well intention (can there be such a thing?) tech bro who set out to "reinvent the wheel" so so speak. With no background in laundry appliances or manufacturing whole venture was bound to end in tears.


https://glennreid.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/imovie_glenn?lang=en

https://biztimes.com/glenn-reid/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennreid

http://www.glennreid.com

 

[combo52]

Again, I am not sure if any of those machines in the warehouse are usable, it’s unclear to me, whether Speed Queen shipped them complete machines that can actually be used as they are.

I suspect all this inventory will go for cents on the dollar at best.

It’s too bad but full-size combination. Washer dryers are coming back. GE has already introduced a good one, and there will be others.

John

 

[launderess]

"Again, I am not sure if any of those machines in the warehouse are usable, it’s unclear to me, whether Speed Queen shipped them complete machines that can actually be used as they are."

Actual SQ washers are all advertised as either "NIB" or "New display model". Even auctions must follow certain standards (legit ones anyway) thus believe all SQ machines are "new" far as that goes. At least one SQ washer is "new" but has stains on top lid from roof water leak. In any event there is an open preview several days before auction so people can examine goods. Here's hoping things aren't mauled about...

https://www.proxibid.com/SPEED-QUEEN-MODEL-AFNE9BSP116TN13-PRODUCT-CODE/lotInformation/78355252

There is a GE front loader that has been been got at, apparently in aid of knowing how things work. https://www.proxibid.com/G-E-FRONT-LOAD-WASHER-MODEL-GFW490RSKOWW-120V/lotInformation/78355333

There also is a WP "Duet" marked "used once", again likely in aid of gaining knowledge.

https://www.proxibid.com/WHIRLPOOL-DUET-STEAM-WASHING-MACHINE/lotInformation/78355422

It looks as if there are only a handful of completed "Marathon" combo units up for the bid. Rest are incomplete and or in bits marked for "scrap". There are also SQ washers left sat sitting where they were in process of being converted also being offered up as scrap.

Thus far only two or three have placed early bids. Highly unlikely those SQ washers will go for One USD ($1), but considering terms this obviously is not place for naïfs.

 

[launderess]

"If somebody’s in the Milwaukee area they could go to the sale. They probably could get the machines cheap . Unfortunately, the biggest buyer might be the scrap dealer sad to see new Speed Queen front loaders scrapped, but they have a little value other than for parts."

Do not wholly agree.

Parts of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa are close enough to make trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since this is an online auction only winning bidders need only arrange transport to fetch whatever they've won. It's only about bit over an hour drive from Chicago to Milwaukee for instance. Grand Rapids or Cedar Rapids clock in at over three hours. All are doable depending upon one's motivation.

Private individuals only need a flatbed truck or some other similar vehicle large enough to cope with a SQ washer (preferably upright).

Those in business as say resellers (appliance dealers) or landlords of properties can expense out costs of acquiring, transporting and so forth on their taxes. What isn't for inventory purposes but use in a business (such as a laundry, cleaning service, etc..) or for some sort of rental property can take related costs as depreciation on their taxes.

That appliance store auction was also in Milwaukee IIRC and it was well attended. Main issue there was much of the merchandise was for vintage or obsolete appliances thus perhaps good amount of inventory had limited market value.

This auction is entirely different. If people can nab SQ washers at not just below MSRP but wholesale as well, that's a pretty good deal.

My question would be will Alliance honor any sort of manufacturers warranty for these units.

 

[launderess]

Those who follow tech, are involved with finance and or some other areas likely can figure out what happened with Marathon Laundry Appliances.

In tech it's all about seed and subsequent rounds of funding. Ever since Microsoft, AOL, Facebook, Amazon, Paypal and tons of others everyone wants to get in on bottom floor of next big thing. You put up money, get stock and other options, if company takes off and sold those options make someone often quite a lot of money.

Of course not every start-up becomes a Facebook or Amazon, but there are plenty not willing to miss an opportunity, so they will make initial investments in a start-up and see where things go.

Mr. Glenn Reid has a pretty decent C.V. far as tech goes, which helps enormously when going around looking for seed money. People knew his name and or could find out about him and so forth. Having the "Apple" cachet likely didn't hurt either.

Marathon Laundry had been around since about 2016, so that's about seven years to establish a track record of sales and get market feedback as to how product likely will sell.

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/marathon-laundry-machines

https://mkestartup.news/marathon-laundry-machines-the-remedy-to-big-laundry/

https://reviewed.usatoday.com/laundry/content/hands-on-with-the-marathon-washdryer-combo

Mr. Ried's whole premise of Marathon laundry machines was sort of based upon Telsa and some others. Take something someone else had already built, modify it, then sell as a new product. Thus instead of doing R&D and all the other work that comes with bringing a new washing machine or dryer to market Marathon took another approach; modify Speed Queen (or maybe GE, LG or whoever else they could latch onto) washing machine to create a washer/dryer combo. This was likely bound to end in tears as you're taking a product not designed to do something and shoving totally foreign equipment inside and trying to make it go.

https://www.wired.com/2016/01/marathon-laundry-smart-washer-dryer/



My hunch is Marathon Laundry ran out of cash (or was running very low) and was not able to raise further needed funding. This could have been for a host of reasons ranging from poor sales/market acceptance to fact Marathon simply lacked ability to produce and deliver reliable product.

 

[logixx]

 

[appnut]

It’s too bad but full-size combination. Washer dryers are coming back. GE has already introduced a good one, and there will be others.


And I am anxiously awaiting to see who else follows.  W<strong style="font-size: 12pt;">hat will the feature sets will be.  Bring out something like the 1 & done with 155+ onboard heater capabilities and I'll be getting one. </strong>

 

I still obtain far superior whiting and stain removal via long wash phase time and water temperatures gradually heating 155 to 162 degrees F.  

 

[Chetlaham]

Foreign Equipment Inside

I noticed that, the drum has the same holes as a regular Speed Queen FL. I can't imagine that being conducive to airflow. 

 

 

Reply# 32- Jerome, you are the genius this site and the appliance industry needs. I to wonder if the machine post modification meets UL, ETL or at least some standard. I wonder if legs of the heater have a thermal fuse each and one high limit each. Is the vent properly protected against over heating? Where does the lint go?   

 

Had Marathon not gone under there could have been lawsuits over fires.

 

As much as I LOVE resistance dryers, heat pump coils simply don't get as hot.

 

 

 

[launderess]

Auction closed today!

White SQ washers went for a low of $400 going up to or over $475. Black fascia SQ washers went for low of $600 to over $700. In both cases several bidders nabbed multiple machines.

In strange twist those "Marathon" units all went for $700 and above including near or over $800 it seems. Who knew?

Am sure local dealers or others with professional interests scooped up lots of what was at this auction including laundry appliances.

Fact one had to pay cash likely kept bidding down by restricting potential interest. Still nabbing a new SQ washer at $400 isn't a bad deal. Not exactly pennies on dollar, but still...[this post was last edited: 8/15/2023-20:15]