New 2010 Kenmore Front Loaders

[drewz]

This may already have been posted but has anyone noticed that the 2010 Kenmores (front loaders) are all made by LG now (with new Kenmore logo) none are made by Whirlpool for the 2010 model year.

All (Whirlpool made) Kenmore front load machines are already on clearance, rumor has it Whirlpool could not keep up with demand??? Anybody hear anything different?

 

[toggleswitch2]

It doesnt sound resaonable that Whirlpool-- Kenmore's most major lauddry appliance supplier for over half a century has been driven to take a back seat.

But then again who knows. Now that WP has KA and Maytag, maybe they believe themselves to have enough markert-share without Sears.

Sadder even is that foreign, oh EXCUSE me, "international" products can get a Sears badge (in favor of locally made products) and the masses may assume they are made here.

Athough LG with Sears service behind it does make LG look better.............

 

[peteski50]

Sears!

I did see these new models but I thought some of the Sears stuff was still going to be made by Whirlpool! Anyway what has the world come to. Oh Westinghouse Laundromat where are you?
Peter

 

[nmassman44]

From what I read that Sears severed ties with Whirlpool and LG will be making all front load laundry products. I also got that info from a sales person on the floor at Sears. Eventually all conventional toploaders are to be phased out. Since Sears is doing that they had better make damn sure they have parts in stock. LG is awful for parts never mind service.

 

[frigilux]

Maybe this will help (force?) LG provide better access to parts and better service. Sears sells a buttload of washers, so this is a huge score for LG.

I know only a couple of people with LG front-loaders, but both of them really like 'em, and they've been reliable for at least a couple of years.

 

[mtn1584]

All conventional top loaders?

Massman, are you saying that Sears is going to stop selling all conventional top loaders? Will they be phased out by all manufacturers? Talk about a government and appliance industry conspiracy.

 

[nmassman44]

Thats correct all conventional toploaders are to be phased out. Whirlpool took a big hit when Sears kicked em to the curb.

 

[bleacho]

comes down to cost

thats all it was..
LG was smrter, and more competitive in pricing.
very clever move on LG's part. sad for whirlpool- all about cost.. see, everyones replaceable.

 

[jetcone]

Bleacho

do you think the Koreans' pay the same wages as Whirlpool? Do they offer the same benefits to their employees as WP?

I think those questions need answering before LG gets the badge of being "smarter".

jon

 

[rp2813]

Does this apply only to laundry appliances or will Sears no longer be re-badging Whirlpool refrigerators, etc. too?

 

[vintagesearch]

ohh well guess we can buy tl'ers at other stores we havent purchased any appliances at sears LOL and even though i like frontloaders somewhat a HE tl'er is more in the cards here

 

[alr2903]

I think Sears has worse problems than who makes their washing machines. As togs says. it's about money and "international products". alr2903

 

[sudsman]

Its all about money !!!

Sears can make more selling rebadge knemore from LG than they can Whirlpool all in the dollar thats all it is..

 

[iheartmaytag]

Sear's is in the crapper and half way down the flush

Rummors I hear are Sears is hemoraging cash since their merge with K-Mart (who by the way was in bankruptcy at the time).

It is being said if they don't have a stellular Christmas season, Sears and K-Mart will join the ranks with Montgomery Wards.

As Sudsman said, "Sears can make more selling rebadge knemore from LG than they can Whirlpool all in the dollar thats all it is.. "

Now just imagine going to the bankruptcy sale at Sears and only being able to find LG washers. Sad, so very very sad.

 

[runematic]

There is no way Sears kicked wp to the curb. They just announced that Sears will be the EXCLUSIVE big box to carry Jenn Air. To quote from an article I read:

"Under terms of the agreement, Sears agreed to have 17 Jenn-Air appliances on display and turn key sales personnel over to Jenn-Air for training.

Jenn-Air plans to fly 255 Sears sales associates, one from each Sears store carrying the luxury line, to its training facility in Atlanta by the end of the year to school them on how to sell the high-end machines."

If that's not still working together, I don't know what is.

From what I've heard recently, the new fl washers are just supposed to be in addition to the Wp built washers. I cannot say that on fact though. As far as conventional TL washers, they eventually will be phased out due to efficiency standards. My wp rep let it slip that they are developing a next-gen direct drive, but I'll believe that if I ever see one. I haves my doubts.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/nov/05/business/chi-thu-sears-appliances-1105nov05

 

[favorit]

my 2 cents .......

Duets (then WP Kenmore frontloaders) are made in Germany by WHIRLPOOL EUROPE.
In Italy the cheapest Duet (here known as Dreamspace) is on sale for 800 euro (check my link) . Today 1 euro = 1.45 USD

I mean maybe there in the US Samsung has more competitive prices than Whirlpool Europe ....

Anyway here the Duet is the cheapest machine available among same sized one (I mean same sized drums - not those fake load rating). Real 11Kg Samsung or the Hotpoint-Ariston Extendia are over 1000 euro

http://www.trovaprezzi.it/prezzo_lavatrici-asciugatrici_lavatrice_whirlpool_dreamspace.aspx

 

[gansky1]

I was told by a long-time Sears appliance dept. salesperson that LG was going to be making the Kenmore Elite units because Whirlpool couldn't keep up with demand. Incredulous, I quizzed her on that tidbit, and the "facts" morphed into an unrecognizable lump and she then admitted she didn't know for sure what the laundry model structure was going to be from LG, WP or Elux just that Sears would be sourcing more from LG than they had previously. There are already Kenmore stickers on LG products galore so this really wasn't much of a revelation. Samsung seems to be jumping into the mix at Sears as well, though I've not seen any Samshung laundry with Kenmore stickers on them - yet.

http://www.applianceadvisor.com/content/sears-changes-manufacturer-front-loading

 

[bleacho]

jetcone

dont read into what i m saying.. LG corportion was absolutely smarter business people in the negotiation..
it has nothing to do as to where the product is made, and who pays what wages. if you want to go there, just about everything you wear on your back, except for your underwear is all sourced out of the US..
My statement wasnt intended to be any sort of political made in what country thing, as you may be alluding to..
LG corporation was absolutely smarter business people.. the market share that sears holds onto is very high..
smart business people!!!!!

 

[jetcone]

Bleacho

I disagree completely.
LG's only advantage or "smartness" as you call it is they make machines in a 3rd world economy and sell them in a 1st world economy.
If they sold as many machines in Korea as they do here then I'd give them the smart label.
Nothing smart in copying something, making it on the cheap and dumping it on our market. All their doing is shifting the wealth generated here with real living wages to a 3rd world economy. Sure the executives live well but it that won't build the country up as a model to compare to the first half of the 20th century here where WE INVENTED ALL THIS STUFF IN THE FIRST PLACE.

 

[hoover1100]

Not wishing to spark debate

But you're referring to South Korea as if it were on par with sub saharan Africa in terms of development. In terms of wages and living standards and the like it is basically on par with most "western" countries.

Suggesting wages or working conditions are exploitational or unfair is a bit presumptuous if you ask me, I find it highly unlikely that would be the case in this day and age. The economy of South Korea has exploded in terms of growth since the 70s, hence it is considered one of the Asian Tigers.

Also the terms 1st, 2nd and 3rd world are hideously outdated, considering the 2nd world ceases to exist now. If we're talking in terms of "more" and "less" developed countries, South Korea classes as an NIC (newly industrialised country) it is most certainly not a "3rd world economy" and would not have classed as one in its current state when those were the proper terms used.

In terms of the machines themselves they certainly seem to be of better quality than a lot of European made brands of today, although I would prefer a Whirlpool made machine.

Matt

 

[vacfanatic]

Agree with Quality

I have heard so many people knock LG laundry equipment, but I've personally owned 3 of their washers, and 2 dryers, and never a problem with any of them. They do not have a "cheap" feel to them as you find with some of the other brands, like the new Maytags and Frigidaire front loaders.

Models I have owned / own:

LG WM2010CW Washer $500 - Own
LG WM2301HW Washer $900 - Own
LG DLE2301W Dryer $900 - Own

LG WM2233HW Washer $900 - Sold
LG DLE3733W Dryer $900 - Sold

Andrew

 

[peteski50]

LG

After the problems I had with LG and their horrible Service - I will Not go near anything they make!
Peter

 

[sudsman]

Same here

never another LG Anything service sucks like a shop vac.

 

[gansky1]

I know others that have LG laundry appliances and are perfectly happy with them. One friend bought one on Father's Day 1999, almost the first day they were available at Best Buy. We installed them that afternoon and they haven't had a bit of trouble with them.

When do the Miele machines arrive, Andrew??

 

[danmantn]

Saw the new Kenmore models today...

Seems they toss, turn, flop, and do everything but deal your clothes like a deck of cards. Time will tell. The square door with smoke-colored glass reminds me of bad sunglasses of the 70s--and it doesn't really look good with the color of the machines. And the "touch" buttons scream problems...imho. They have a countdown on Kenmore.com for an announcement on 12/20/09

 

[arrrooohhh]

JMHO

I have to agree with Matt about Korea not being a third world country.

First of all many LG and Samsung products on sale here seem very well made indeed.

LG may not have a great service network in the United States but surely Sears would have something sorted out. Its funny many reputable brands overseas are sold in Australia and have poor service networks so its not the problem of the manufacturing, the Importer into whatever country needs to sort out its servicing.

Finally Korea is a very developed country and yes, LG and Samsung products sell in great quantities. A (Non washer lover) friend of mine who went to Korea told me I would love it if I went there - appliance heaven he called it.

But yes the Koreans are very clever people. The Korean government is heavily protectionist of its industry and imported items sell in that country for a premium. Yet in countries such as the US and Australia and many other places have done away with Tarrifs and protectionism all in the name of "level playing fields" and being "competive on a global scale" blah blah. Whose fault is that?

Finally Americans may have "invented" the washing machine but it is a product that is needed the world over. If another country can make a good product and sell it around the world then its a free world isn't it?

 

[mrb627]

LG's

I just sold a set of LG's for a lot less than I paid for them. Am I sorry to see them go? Not really.

 

[appnut]

Malcolm, what didn't you like about the LGs?

 

[mrb627]

LG's

LG issues.

1) Long Cycle times.
2) Dryer had annoying rattle.
3) Senseless Balancing before spinning.
4) Never reaching the top rated spin speed.
5) Tub bearings started squeaking before the machine was a year old.
6) Dryer's 3 minute cool down was too short.
7) With Wrinkle Guard activated, there would be no end of cycle signal.
8) Washer's button beep and end of cycle signal would deactivate after 3 or 4 cycles, the dryer stays permanently engaged.
9) Wash target temps were never reached. Hot water washing was never higher than 102 degrees.
10) Rinsing was poor. If bleach was used, the smell of it would be strong at the end of the cycle. This applied to vinegar as well. Amazing amount of water would be used for the "TUB CLEAN" cycle, but not for rinsing your laundry. WTH?

Other than that, these machines were okay. It's a shame I got sucked into the purchase mostly because of their good looks.

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

What are the little roller ball things on the baffles? I noticed the new Kenmore's had these.