The new Whirltag center dial

[~sudsshane]

AndrewinOrlando and I stopped by Lowe's today to check out the new center-dial Maytag. I have to say in all honesty, this machine was dissapointing to me to say the least. Open it up and any memory you have had of old Maytag is gone. It looked indentical to the Roper inside right next to it. The exterior was very cheaply made in my opinion and the control panel looked off centered with the controls on the left and center and nothing on the right. If Whirlpool plans to make Maytag a premium brand, they better do better than this. =(

 

[oxydolfan1]

I'm not sure they want to make Maytag a premium brand, or, at least, that they are interested in being innovative.

I think they want to coast on the reputation that Maytag still enjoys with a surprising amount of folks that are unaware of the quality problems of late, and are trying to quietly ditch the "Norgetag" design, and replace it with something better as quickly and cheaply as possible. The center dial looks nice...I actually like the control panel better than the "Norgetag" ones, and, after all, I own a Whirlpool DD that I love, so, for me, it would be a win-win! (Although, what you've said about a lightweight exterior doesn't bode well..)

I'm still surprised that the Maytag Epic FL, which to me looks and feels way more solid than the Whirlpool Duet, is still cheaper....

My point is, old-school Maytag, as we knew it and loved it, is gone. The only way the old machine could be reproduced is if a small boutique group of washer builders put one out. Corporate America is almost totally uninterested in quality products and unique design, and consumers wouldn't even recognize it if they saw it....and (sadly) I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

[danemodsandy]

...And of course, it's not pictured on the Maytag site yet. Ah, the wonders of modern marketing. I remember when companies had some quaint idea that they were supposed to SHOW their new products to consumers.

 

[panthera]

I suspect there just is

not too much reason for Whirlpool to invest time and effort into TLs anymore. At least not the classic agitator kind we grew up with. That is not where the future lies, not where big profits reward their investment.
I, too, regret the passing of Maytag. The real Maytag. The "throw the dirty clothes in me every day, three decades in a row, I'll clean 'em.", Maytag is gone.
Except here, with us.

 

[golittlesport]

New Lonely Maytag Repairman casting call

This morning's paper had a big ad for a casting call for the new Maytag Repairman. Appartenly Whirlpool wants to capitalize on this historic ad campaign and it's past success with a new face. Whirpool definetly seems to be planning on trying to build on whatever repuation Maytag has left for being dependable. I would think they need do do something better than put a Maytag label on a Roper. At least put a different agitator in it.

(My other half suggested I heed the call....haha...no, thanks...I don't know if I would want to make personal appearances for Maypool and be put on the spot for Nuptune problems.)

Seriously, one of us in the club should apply though - we may gain access to the top brass and talk some sense into them. Go to www.nextmaytagrepairman.com