Speed Queen

[brucelucenta]

Looking at all the posts on here about speed queen washer problems, there is really one common problem. That is poor service technicians. I don't really think it is particularly the machine itself, it seems to be the individual service company who takes care of the problem. With all of these various problems, if they had been taken care of properly in the first place, they would not have escalated into the major issues they became. The top load washer they make is the ONLY machine worth having now. The front load machine seems to be very heavy duty and built to work hard and last a long time. Both top and front load machines are made to do loads quickly in comparison to other machines today. So perhaps the problem all stems back to servicing. Any machine can have a problem from time to time. If you cannot find a competent service person, you are in trouble. Speed Queen has the longest warranty of any machine, but the warranty is only as good as the service that comes with it. Hopefully Alliance will get this under control at some point. If all of the service people had the knowledge of John Lefevere(combo), there would not have been all the problems we have seen posts about on here.[this post was last edited: 2/2/2017-06:14]

 

[mayken4now]

You're right Bruce. I'd would still buy one over anything else today.

 

[Chetlaham]

IMHO

Speed Queen is not common, and not typical in the wild. I can see this creating a shortage of experienced techs.

 

[mtn1584]

Agreed

Finding a knowledgeable service tech is an issue for Alliance, but I think this is an issue not only for Alliance but other manufacturers as well as other industries.
My son is an auto tech. He loves what he does, I think that helps if you love what you do and you care.
It only makes one more aggravated when a small problem such as replacing an idler spring, becomes "you need a new transmission or brakes or a new machine," because of an ignorant or lazy tech!!!!
Alliance should create a network of highly trained techs, to service their equipment like GE used to or Whirlpool used to do!
But this is problem that affects all industries, so a small issue with an automobile can become an issue when a problem is incorrectly diagnosed as well.
Service is key, after market service is paramount.
Alliace does have a number to reach the factory itself which is great! Often times they can diagnose an issue over the phone! I'm glad they are an AMERICAN COMPANY and that their products are BUILT by Americans as well!
Honda, Toyota, Nissan are great cars and they all have American factories, which makes he happy knowing that Americans are building these cars!
LG, Samsung and such are nice looking products, personally it bothers me that they are made in Korea or China and that Americans do not have a hand in their build or quality assurance checks. If LG and or Samsung began to build in the US, I might have a different opinion of them.
Meanwhile, Alliance has great products with great warranties and I'll continue to spread the word about them.
Mike

 

[gyrafoam]

Two friends who repair SQ machines here in Southwest Virginia attended a Technical Seminar over in Richmond a few months ago. Their takeaway was that there was very little meat on the bone. Nothing was discussed in-depth. They both came away feeling as though they had learned nothing.

Now that's a real problem for the folks in Wisconsin.

I don't know what John and Jason would have to say about SQ Seminars in their area, however, I'm not thinking techs with the level of overall experience that John and Jason have would take away much anyway.

In any event, it would be a shame for greed to turn the tables on SQ. I am sure their products already fly out the factory doors.
They better tighten-up the customer service end of the business before they become just another manufacturer of junk.

 

[ryanm]

I agree with the opinions posted here from my own experience owning my Speed Queen washer. I called every single service company listed on the Speed Queen website using my zip code, and NONE of them except one would service in my area!! They only service their own counties, and there is only one 'authorized' service tech in my county that will come, but he will only service the machine IF YOU BOUGHT IT FROM HIM! Of course there are 'other' service companies around but if you have an issue that is covered by 'warranty' you are out of luck in my area, so what good does it do to have long warranty when you don't provide enough 'authorized' service in the area? I did call Speed Queen and their technical support was very good over the phone, rare with any other company so at least they have that, but again if I need in warranty work done I can't get it, have to pay out of my pocket to an unauthorized service tech that will come and fix my machine. I do agree it is a very well made product and the performance of my top loader is great which is why I would like to see the company put more into 'service' of their machines. I wrote to Speed Queen via their website several times and never received any response.

 

[frigilux]

I am fortunate in that the local SQ dealer does excellent service for the brand. As it turns out, I'll most likely wind up with a top-load electronic-console SQ pair when I sell the house and move to an apartment this spring. The hookups for each apartment are in a back hallway and I don't think the wood floor will handle a front-load washer without a fair amount of vibration/shaking.

I plan to sell the appliances with the house. All but the kitchen fridge are only a couple of years old. New furnace, too. Should be good selling points.

 

[brucelucenta]

If I was to buy a top load washer, that is the one I would buy too. Just a shame there are so many service people who either do not know how or just want to sell a new machine to people. Makes it very difficult for folks.

 

[pierreandreply4]

well speedqueen topload washer model awn432 is the one i have put number on on my list the day the whirlpool duet washer dryer set my mom and i have will be replace with matching dryer

 

[rapunzel]

In the past, when the world was good and everything was rosy, big appliance manufacturers had their own service departments, where they trained and equipped their repairmen to be competent, professional and friendly.

Now its all subcontractors and there probably isn't even a proper vetting process to ensure, whoever gets signed up to be a service technician, that they are capable. As long as they can produce a piece of paper stating that they are qualified at something relating to what is required, they are hired.

I bought a slightly expensive tv once. It lasted a few months before some control board malfunctioned. When they came to take it away for repairs I was shocked at how they handled my lovely, new television. They just shoved it in the back of their truck without covering it up or even securing it. I was like - "WTF?!" When I pointed this out to the guy he gave me a dirty look and threw some old rags over it as if my lovely, somewhat expensive television was a cheap and nasty piece of useless plastic. I was fuming.

The truck hadn't even left my property and I was already on the blower to Samsung. Long tale short, they sent a brand new in the box replacement tv a week later.[this post was last edited: 2/2/2017-20:43]

 

[ea56]

Good for you Olav! That kind of surly attitude from service persons really pisses me off too, and I would have done exactly what you did too. And good for Samsung too, they did the right thing and I'll bet you will remember this the next time your in the market for a TV.
Eddie

 

[lorainfurniture]

The "technician" is a dying breed

There is no real vetting process to become authorized speed queen servicer. You need to show proof of liability insurance, no pop quiz on technical ability.

Sadly this is a fact across ALL brands. Speed queen offers the best service rates for warranty calls, and their tech line is top notch. Speed queen machines are soooooo easy to repair you can be half drunk and still get it together. The tech line is so good they can walk a complete idiot through any repair.

I read some of these horror stories regarding speed queens and can tell you 100% that the machines get ruined from an incompetent tech.

My recommendation to any prospective speed queen buyer is to make sure the place that you buy your machine from is a self servicing dealer, and that they have a competent tech on duty. If you don't have a good tech in area, just buy some $400 throw away unit and replace it whenever it breaks.

Any good technician will be willing to do speed queen service because they pay really well compared to the other brands.

 

[gyrafoam]

ok. Thanks Eugene. It is what it is.

 

[sbond22]

a cheap and nasty piece of useless plastic.

And that's exactly what it was. The "tech" (mortician/hearse driver) knew it was DOA and that Samsung would replace it with a "free" NIB because you'd already paid for it when you bought the first one.

 

[rapunzel]

At the time and after having paid a handsome sum of money for that 'disposable' television, I imagined that it would be repaired; which was Samsung's initial response to the problem.

The replacement television developed a similar issue with the control board approx. a year and a half after I got it. That time they sent someone around to my place with parts and he fixed it. This happened three more times until I was told that they didn't make the part anymore. However, the technician managed to fix it one last time. Shortly after the warranty expired on the lamp it broke and that was the end of my stint owning a rear projection tv. It was nice when it worked.

The current replacement is another Samsung 3D smart tv and now they've stopped making those too. However, no issues with this one so far.

 

[brucelucenta]

Whew! I'm actually relieved that most everyone agrees about what the real problem has been with the speed queen machines folks have posted problems about. I'm sure that there are many other kinds of machines with similar problems and similar incompetent technicians. I think that most do hold speed queen to a higher standard, since they are made in the USA. But I guess there will always be incompetent technicians or technicians who also sell the machines and would rather make a new sale instead of repair it. I just think that after a few times of being without a machine while waiting for one to be repaired, people get disgusted and get something else.

 

[vacerator]

That can be

the same with other brands. A more experienced service tech. learns as they are in the field longer.
Example: My GE refrigerator from 2007 developed a noisy evaporator fan a few years ago. At first intermittently, and worse later, until constant.
I checked for icing, and there was none. When I would pry up on the vent grille under the ice maker, it would be quiet.
Not knowing for sure if the defrost heater, fan motor, and or control board were the cause, I decided to consult a service professional.
I paid $100.00 for the diagnosis. I was told that not only was the board defective, but also the fan motor, and the heater. That it would eventually ice up, and temps. would be all over the place.
As the repair cost was astronomical (Even Lowes tv commercial was telling us to get rid of those noisy refrigerators) I called another local parts and repair source. The guy on the phone was very helpful. he told me it is highly uncommon and unlikely that all three parts were bad, that these GE refrigerators are still pretty good. I asked if it was possible a sensor or two inside the fridge were faulty. Again he said, not likely.
After I told him I had already had a service estimate He asked if I would pay him $50 to fix it, and it would be fine for years to come, so I said yes.
He took apart the plenum and tested the heater for continuity and it was fine.
He tested the board and it was fine. Then he unplugged the fan motor and pushed the blade down farther onto the shaft, put it back together, and it has been quiet ever since. His explanation was that at times these fans run very fast, and the blade eventually rides up on the shaft and rubs on the vent grille.

 

[brucelucenta]

Actually, Sears service has got it sectioned out pretty well. They send specific service guys out for specific appliances. I found that interesting.