New 2010 Kenmore Front Loaders

[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Also the terms 1st, 2nd and 3rd world are hideously outdated, considering the 2nd world ceases to exist now.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.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I was told that Sears is hemorrhaging money on the exchange rates for all of these imported appliances with the low value of the dollar.

 

[powerfin64]

yes its true..

I spoke with a customer of mine, that is a long time appliance sellsman, and LG is taking over making Kenmore washers and dryers. It isn't that whirlpool can't keep up, ect.

Rich

 

[dandureiko]

LG vs Elite

just so happens......last spring we finnished the renovations on a winter cottage in Brooksville, FL. Got some fantastic appliances at good prices, Kitchen has Advantium 240/Kenmore Elite Convection oven and Kenmore Elite induction cooktop. LG dishwasher (very sorry we bought it wish we'd bought Bosch)
and LG Steam washer and dryer. They are located in a carport laundry room, so the laundry monitor in the house has come in handy.
this august we found an HE5t Steam Dryer for 500 bucks at the warehouse (gas) and then bought the He5t Steam Washer.
the best machine I ever had, gets out all stains, all whites come out so white they are almost tinted blue Not so with the LG, no where near as good. (not sure if the Elite is better washer or it's the timed Oxi.
also the LG dryer has a water resevoir, ? why isn't it plumbed in ?
was very supprised to see the LG Elite when I walked into sears. it's priced HIGHER than the outgoing He5t Steam.
I just saw a Duet Steam at a local dealer and noticed it now has the timed Oxi, which I'd never seen before, normally the compartment for the Oxi is blocked out.
so I guess the machine is still available, but as a whirlpool.
Dan

 

[danmantn]

What's a "Laundry Monitor"? Keep checking prices at Sears. Usually when they roll something out it stays at full retail a bit, then it's constantly on sale at different levels from then on.

 

[askomiele]

Laundry Monitor

Is'nt that a portable screen or so to inform you about the washing/drying cycle saving you the trip back to the washer? Miele has this system for years and recently they updated it so you can check all your miele applainces with just one screen and I think you can even start of interrupt a cycle...

 

[danmantn]

Well, that's just Handy Dandy. When did Miele stop making top loaders? Any pics/videos out there?

 

[dandureiko]

Laundry Monitor

Yes, the Laundry monitor is about 4x3 and an inch deep, runs on a powerline modem, that you plug in both the washer and dryer, in their modem port.
at first it did not work because both were plugged into GFI outlets...which blocks the signal.
on a sidenote, I guess if the LG machines broke in FL, I'd get a Whirlpool Duet Steam, or Maytage 9000steam (which I just realized is the same as the Whirl and the HE5t)
Dan

 

[mrb627]

Roller Balls

The roller balls are to lessen fabric wear when clothes slide over the paddle.

In actuality, they are nothing more than a pinch point for catching loose threads and pulling on them.

Malcolm

 

[maytagmightyjj]

Fewer Top Loaders at Sears

I was in Sears this week and my local store had 2 rows of Top Loader washers and 1 row of those were HE machines. They had about 6 rows of Front Loaders. It won't be long before we are all forced to buy those crappy front loaders that use 2 cups of water.