BIH, Price, and Misc
I am not one of those “washer nuts” that just want to have a reason to turn around and buy another washer. I prefer to buy American made too. It irks me to no end that people who passed these energy regulations cannot see what is so plain to the rest of us. Their well intentioned but poorly researched mandated changes result in MORE water, MORE chemicals, MORE time, and MORE waste.
The SQ FL cost at least two or three times more than what the LG washer costs. Some people just do not have $1900 (the cheapest I could find in my area) for a washer. Yes, it may last twice as long but it costs twice as much too.
Also, if the consumer prefers a matching set, there is NO justification for the increased price of the SQ dryer over a good Maytag.
Just like Apple, I think SQ stands out for SOME of the products they still make—I do think that overall their FLs and ONLY the TC5 TL can justify *some* of the higher expense. The rest of it is just plain markup. SQ is no different than Apple. I love Apple products, but it irks to no end how they say they are eco friendly. Then why do they purposely seal and solder their products until a user cannot even do the most minor repairs including changing a battery, upgrading the memory, or replacing a bad hard drive? The upgraded “electronics’ had the same effect on the TC5 making it more of a time-limited product because of the cost and availability of trying to find model-specific boards later. Apple charges what they do because they can. So does SQ. The only difference is Apple has wised up and offer a basic product like the iPhone SE and a basic iPad not just their top of the line. SQ could do this too. Why not offer the AWN as a basic, no frills model? Look how much the TC5 costs over the AWN432 model. SQ also offers LESS of a warranty with their TC5 than their TR series too. These “updgrades” were “downgrades”. Someone is NOT making some good marketing decisions. Their marketing department needs some guidance. Some people may be impressed by how well by the TR series endurance and how well it can balance loads like billiard balls and garden tools, but I am not fooled when I see how well it does NOT wash clothes. So it doesn’t matter to me that it will last twice as long as the washer I have. The washer I have cleans clothes LOL—all the types of loads I do not just office wear. The LG I had cleaned certain loads better because that BIH. If you don’t have those needs, then one without a BIH would be have less to break. I agree less can be more!
I know the “ugraded” SQ TL today I could not buy is the NOT the same quality as the AWN432 I could have bought in 2017. You won’t convince me adding electronics behind the knobs and ANOTHER control board over mechanical made that machine more likely to last longer. I don’t know if they did the same thing with their FLs or not. I don’t think ANY machine made today will last as long as the ones as the “good” ones sold even 15 years ago. Those control boards cost more than mechanical parts too. The bottom line is the increased price one pays for a SQ washer today does NOT offer as much value as it did in the past.
I thought you made some good points about the BIH, BUT what I had on the LG worked! My washer and dryer are right next to the water heater, and I still cannot achieve the same thing with my top load with my water heater set like I normally would as I could with the LG that had the BIH. The sani cycle’s increased heat is what made the difference even when the same chemicals are added. Also, I want to keep my water heater set at 120 not higher JUST for the washer.
Many of the people on this board who like SQ also have the tools, resources, and knowledge to keep these washers running. For example, some of you can change out the bearings. As a consumer, I am not going to do that nor as I going to pay someone to do that (the cost alone is almost as much as just replacing the appliance). If the repair people feel so STRONGLY about what the sell and repair, why not sell for less and charge less? They don’t. They have to make a living just like consumers have budgets and other bills to pay. I wouldn’t throw these consumers into a category of “complainers” but their “concerns” reflect what the majority have to consider.
A washer used by a single person or couple is likely to last years longer than one used for a family for a few reasons with the main one being the parts only lasts so many cycles. Also, many of us on this board, are not the same bunch that stuffs clothes into a washers until they have to jump up and down on the top to get the lid to close.
Bottom line is if SQ persists in going the direction of selling TR, they are going to have a lot harder time staying in the residential market. People can justify some extra for a better top load, but their front loads are two or three times as more—that’s a harder sell especially without BIH or even the quite effective turbo jet wash action.
Just my thoughts. In the end, I am glad I know this for me but sad for the people who are made to feel inferior because they purchase anything other than SQ.
