K-man
Here's my personal two-cents for what it's worth -
The appliance junk-yard that I've visited a number of times in the next town over is literally littered with ultra-late model Frigidaire fridges, by that I mean 2004 and 2005 models!!!! The owner has been in the sales and service business of used appliances for over 30 years and says they're the biggest "piles of wasted metal" he's seen.
I would be almost as equally hesitant about GE units. I do not believe that company is what it once was. My mother's 2005 GE dishwasher was pronounced D E A D by GE factory service in January 2008 saying it needed a new motor. Thanks to someone here (that is how I found AW.org in the first place so I guess I should praise GE for that), we found out the problem was a rattling conduit in the upper rack, and I corrected the issue at the cost of a 29-cent zip tie!!!!!!!!! Bad motor my a$$!!! The machine has run 5 times a week for almost two years on a "bad" motor, yet the moron service guy almost cost my folks the cost of a top of the line Kitchen-Aid dishwasher they didn't need. I am glad that MTN1584 has top-notch GE service at home, because it blows chunks here.
You know me, I like Whirlpool products. A major part of my decision making process takes into account the origin of the manufacturer and place of construction. We as Americans are often quick to ask what's happened to our economy, why are so many people unemployeed, and why can't we buy anything decent made here anymore. For me, the answer comes quickly. If we like the lifestyles we have become accustomed to in this country, we need to support our own if we still can. All too often we gripe and moan about American industry's woes, but then immediately buy the Samsung washer or the LG range as if buying the U.S. made product is for someone else to do.
We are still capable of building a good appliance in this country. Most of Whirlpool's product line is made here with the exception of their front-load washers, (note I say "most"). The Asian import brands bring their goods to our markets made with labor that costs pennies on the dollar what Westerners make and the U.S. makers are forced to compete. We consumers are often stupid enough to buy them.
If we don't get a grip on this somehow soon to level the playing field, there will be no U.S. industry left for us to gripe about, and people everywhere will be scratching their heads asking "what happened?".
Thus, my suggestion is to buy something Whirlpool-made. They have a marketing campaign going on right now which mentions their items are U.S. made by U.S. workers...I LOVE that and hope it works. I would still buy a Frigidaire or a GE over something imported, but I like Whirlpool and if in your shoes would look at their refrigerators seriously if I didn't fix the one I already have.
I own a 2003 Whirlpool top-mount now in fact, and had a 1990 top-mount before that which I left in my previous home.
Sorry for the dissertation...
Gordon
Here's my personal two-cents for what it's worth -
The appliance junk-yard that I've visited a number of times in the next town over is literally littered with ultra-late model Frigidaire fridges, by that I mean 2004 and 2005 models!!!! The owner has been in the sales and service business of used appliances for over 30 years and says they're the biggest "piles of wasted metal" he's seen.
I would be almost as equally hesitant about GE units. I do not believe that company is what it once was. My mother's 2005 GE dishwasher was pronounced D E A D by GE factory service in January 2008 saying it needed a new motor. Thanks to someone here (that is how I found AW.org in the first place so I guess I should praise GE for that), we found out the problem was a rattling conduit in the upper rack, and I corrected the issue at the cost of a 29-cent zip tie!!!!!!!!! Bad motor my a$$!!! The machine has run 5 times a week for almost two years on a "bad" motor, yet the moron service guy almost cost my folks the cost of a top of the line Kitchen-Aid dishwasher they didn't need. I am glad that MTN1584 has top-notch GE service at home, because it blows chunks here.
You know me, I like Whirlpool products. A major part of my decision making process takes into account the origin of the manufacturer and place of construction. We as Americans are often quick to ask what's happened to our economy, why are so many people unemployeed, and why can't we buy anything decent made here anymore. For me, the answer comes quickly. If we like the lifestyles we have become accustomed to in this country, we need to support our own if we still can. All too often we gripe and moan about American industry's woes, but then immediately buy the Samsung washer or the LG range as if buying the U.S. made product is for someone else to do.
We are still capable of building a good appliance in this country. Most of Whirlpool's product line is made here with the exception of their front-load washers, (note I say "most"). The Asian import brands bring their goods to our markets made with labor that costs pennies on the dollar what Westerners make and the U.S. makers are forced to compete. We consumers are often stupid enough to buy them.
If we don't get a grip on this somehow soon to level the playing field, there will be no U.S. industry left for us to gripe about, and people everywhere will be scratching their heads asking "what happened?".
Thus, my suggestion is to buy something Whirlpool-made. They have a marketing campaign going on right now which mentions their items are U.S. made by U.S. workers...I LOVE that and hope it works. I would still buy a Frigidaire or a GE over something imported, but I like Whirlpool and if in your shoes would look at their refrigerators seriously if I didn't fix the one I already have.
I own a 2003 Whirlpool top-mount now in fact, and had a 1990 top-mount before that which I left in my previous home.
Sorry for the dissertation...
Gordon
