Speed Queen FL questions - pre sales

[nowayout]

I've reached out to my local dealers and am being told that SQ is back ordered until the end of July on the AFN51F Washer (Imperial Series FL in stainless)

In calling several dealers I did find one that had a display floor model that was about 2 years old they he is looking to sell. He has a washer and dryer set with pedestals that he will sell for $2600 (sold only as a pair)! The challenge is that the dryer is electric. I've already decided I want gas, so I have a couple of thoughts:

1) Does it cause any of you to question the display model that has been on the floor for a couple years? It hasn't been used, but I'm sure the door has been opened and closed many times, and the knobs probably played with. Is there any issues with any seals or gaskets etc that could be an issue if left sitting for a couple of years?

2) What is the value of the electric dryer if offered for a quick sale? It is the stainless steel model, ADE41F. I could sell it and then buy the gas version and probably come out OK. It is big and bulky though and shipping would be a concern. Might be harder to sell just the dryer since it is stainless, white might be easier.

3) A few online places claim they have stock on the washer, but prices are in the ~$2250 range. If I apply the $2250 against the $2600 on the floor model, the electric dryer is only costing me $350!

Is anyone interested in a a new floor model electric SQ dryer?

Choices, choices, choices....

 

[combo52]

New SS SQ Pair

It doesn't concern me that the machine has been sitting for two years.

 

You can buy the basic SQ Gas dryer and swap the parts and then you will end up with your  SS Gas dryer and then you can sell the basic electric model. The only problem is you might void the warranties on the dryers, but even with the heavy usage you give the machines you still only have about a one in five chance of needing the three year full warranty.

 

The SS pair that I got for Jon in Boston will have to be converted to gas when he places them in there final home.

 

[nowayout]

Wait, I can do a conversion?

Which models have compatible parts...or are any SQ gas dryers compatible?

Is it less expensive to just buy conversion parts?

That is an excellent idea, I would have no problem converting a unit.

Hmmm.... $2600 seems to be quite a deal.

 

[mattl]

Just a thought...

Let me toss into the mix my experience replacing the bearings in the Duets, quite simple, about 2-3 hours of work total, and about $50 in parts.  If you want an excuse to go for a new machine I'd certainly use this as you have gotten great use out of the machines you have.  But if you don't want to spend the money right now repairing the Duet is a cheap option.

 

[nowayout]

As to replacing the bearings on the duet, I have considered it. Technically I'm capable and fine doing it, it is more what you say, good excuse to upgrade to new. But the $3-4k is a good chunk of change!

If I do the bearing, is the replacement bearing and seal a whirlpool part, or is it just a standard bearing I can easily source locally? The drum has to be separated, right? Or can it be done from the backside without pulling the drum? I havent had the back off for a few years so i don't quite recollect how it looks.

I'm WAY more excited about swapping the gas and electric heating units on the new SQ dryer!
Maybe I still buy new, but go ahead and fix the old duet and sell them. What is the worth of a German made Duet washer and dryer, ~11 years old? I bet it would run another 5 years. The chassis and suspension looks solid, at least from the front side it looks OK

Thanks for the creative thoughts!

 

[qualin]

Let me tell you my experience...

I ordered my rear-control white washer in early September, I received it in early January. I ordered my dryer late January and didn't receive it until very early May. (To be fair, I did order a model which is a special order)

Now, IMHO the wait was worth it. All good things come with time.

IMO, I'd get your order in now. If they are consistently back ordered for months at a time and this is always an issue, maybe they'll expand their factory, hire more Americans and ramp up their production to relieve the back orders.

Unless your Duet really is in bad shape or you refuse to (or can't) do your laundry at the local laundromat, I think having to wait 2 months to get your machine is worth it.

You could get the demo set, but I wouldn't retrofit the electric dryer to gas. I'm sure you could sell the electric one and trade across to a gas one, but I suspect you would take a financial hit if you did that.

 

[58limited]

I would have paid extra for the heat boost if it was still offered on the SQ that I recently bought. I purchased mine from AJ Madison and it took over a month to arrive, part of that was a scheduling issue with the shipping company - it sat in Houston for two weeks before they put it on the truck to my house, 80 miles away. Based on what I've heard about SQ's back orders, I feel lucky to get it as quickly as I did.

 

[danmantn]

Why the SQ delay sometimes...

I had a SQ dealer explain that to me as my friends wanted a Speed Queen, but couldn't wait a month - seems they have been working on several huge government contract (SQs bread and butter), so big they shut the factory down for a period of time in order to meet the contract deadline. Two different dealers told me the same info, so I would assume it to be valid.

 

[combo52]

New SQ FL Washer & Dryers

The major reason for the delay in getting NEW SQs is that they are becoming the victim of there own success, their sales have increased by large margins each of the last three years as more and more people are becoming interested in either purchasing an old fashioned TL washer or as we have found that many of our customers once they have had A Hi Efficiency FL or Calypso type washer that gave a lot of problems they were very interested in buying a very high quality FL SQ washer with a great warranty.

 

Converting a dryer to gas, it might be easier to just buy the gas burner and related parts to do the conversion, it is very easy to convert to Gas if you have the parts. You could also Pierrot parts from any SQ or Amana gas dryer built in the last thirty years to do the conversion, I have done it many many times. Get in touch if you need more information by emailing me your Phone # and best time to call, John.

 

[mrb627]

Hmmm

I wonder how Alliance stock is doing...

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

True Combo52. Ive also notced a 10-20% increase in the local dealers price as well. Whirlpool broke a lifetime love affair after the $1,200 Cabrio mistake.

 

[mattl]

Bearings

I get my bearings from vbx.com .  I get a better quality bearing than was originally used.  Depending on the condition you may be able to read the part number on the shield and that is a good starting point, if not a good caliper will tell you what sizes you need, there are 2 bearings.  The real issue is the seal.  I bought mine from a guy online and really think I over paid, but felt it was worth it since he sourced the items and made them available.  I --think-- and good oil seal will work as well.  I posted a pictorial of my repair last fall, I'm sure you can find it via search.

 

[qualin]

To Combo52:

You know, if you do find yourself converting an electric dryer to gas, make sure to post lots of pictures on a separate thread. I'm curious to see how complex it is to do.

It also makes me wonder how immune their "Old-Fashioned" top loading washers would be against a strong electromagnetic pulse.