Washing Machine Prices Plunging

[sudsmaster]

Was in Costco the other week.

Saw a Duet HT washer going for $650. That is not including the various water and energy rebates the state might be offering.

Saw a similar ad for another brand of front loader, similar size, for $699.

These washers were going for over $1,000 a year ago.

Meanwhile I notice there's a new Whirlpool front loader with 5 cu ft capacity. That's clothes dryer territory! LOL.

Me? Although the price is attractive, and the Duet HT is a good machine, I'll be looking for an Electrolux front loader to drop into that price range. I needs the washer door hinged on the right to fit my laundry nook properly. It's the only front loader out there now with a reversible door. The Miele front loader's door is hinged on right, I believe, but I don't expect that one to come down much if at all in price.

Meanwhile the Neptune solid door refuses to die. Drat ;-)

 

[cfz2882]

i heard on a radio ad of frigidaire front load washers for
$495-i am pretty sure they are the old '90s style "frigilux"
as i was at an appliance store earlier this year and noticed
those were still being sold-almost unchanged from 1994 or so.

 

[coldspot]

wow the prices have drop a little since I last bought mine. I was justing looking here since are local places are about in the same price rang most of the time.

http://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Front+Load;Washers/rpp~60;Ns~_price%7C0;N~37+4294846359

 

[bajaespuma]

Garbage shouldn't cost all that much

 

[revvinkevin]

It's about time!!

It's about time they start coming down to an affordable level. While I do like and prefer front loaders, I think it's ridiculous the TOL models sold for $1400 - $1600 EACH for the washer OR dryer! Yes I understand they do cost more to manufacture (well, the washer anyway) but that much, ESPECIALLY for the dryer, geeze!

Earlier this year I bought a TOL Kenmore Elite steam washer (last of the WP built machines). However, I didn't pay the $1599 list price, I got it on close out for just under $600 out the door! That was a really great deal! Now I'm not saying TOL machines should all be that price, but I think that $900 - $1000 is a lot more in line to what they SHOULD be instead of $1400+. IMHO

Kevin

 

[coldspot66]

Notice that dryer prices seem to be going up............some are more than the washer.............absurd!!!!! I think that ploy is to get you to buy an energy efficient washer, but make up the difference on the dryer. We all know that a dryer has less expensive parts, and is a simpler design. Also, there is no "energy star" dryer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sudsmaster]

At Costco, the Duet dryer cost the same as the washer. $650 each, as I recall.

 

[qsd-dan]

Garbage shouldn't cost all that much

X2!

 

[rp2813]

Today's paper had an ad for an Affinity pair (Frigilux) for $699. That's for the pair!

Yeah, what Ken said.

 

[launderess]

Not Surprising When You Consider What Is Going On

With the economy.

Little to nil new housing being built. Fewer persons able to tap a home equity loan for major remodeling of their current home. High unemployment, pepole trying to pay down debit, not run up more, and so on and so forth.

Instead of chucking out good appliances simply "because", people are sticking to what they've got unless it cannot be repaired.

OTHO the dollar is dropping like a rock, which in turn effects many other currencies, including that of China which drops in sync, so products out of that country cost less as well.

There is probably quite allot of inventory sitting around that needs to move and lowering prices is one way to do it.

When times were good appliance makers were scimming the cream, charging *very* high prices for things in excess of what they should be, (IMHO), now we are seeing a change.

 

[sudsmaster]

Affinity=Garbage?

LOL. Why not try at least to increase the water level?

Anyway, I saw that ad. You have to be careful, sometimes the fine print reads "After all rebates you MAY be eligible for". And those rebates don't necessary exist all the time. Often the budget for them gets drained before the end of the year, and one must wait until a new rebate program takes effect to get the benefit.

I also saw an ad for the Electrolux washer for $699. "After all rebates you MAY be eligible for", that is. Store prices is $899. Still less than the $1099 they were going for when they came out a couple years back.

Not ready to pull the trigger yet on an Elux washer, but if it drops another couple C's, might do it.

 

[rp2813]

Oh yeah, it's almost always "after all rebates you MAY qualify for" and with older models, you usually don't qualify for the bigger rebates. This happened with our Duets due to them being "last year's model" but we got all rebates on our Affinities. We bought both pairs at Lowes, and they display the purchase price, not the potential bottom line. With rebates we ended up doing as well or better than if we bought at the dealers who advertise the after-rebate price, and got an insanely cheap Lowes extended warranty besides.

And Rich, even with increased water levels, the Affinity can't rinse -- and often can't balance -- its way out of a paper bag.

 

[toploader55]

Craig's List

I've noticed that used Machines are selling for more money than they should. 3-5 year old sets are selling between $400-$500. And I would be sketchy on buying a used FL washer. Bearings Anyone ???

 

[spookiness]

German Duet

I was in Costco last week and noticed the same. $649. The German-made Duets are supposed to be decent right?

 

[passatdoc]

Frig 2140 for $370

A few weeks ago I saw an ad on the Best Buy website. They were selling the 2140 (an older model, but not from the 90s, I think it was introduced about 2003-4) for $370!! This must have been a limited time offer, because I checked a week later and the price was $500.

One caveat: older models still in production, such as 2140, no longer qualify for rebates, as energy and water efficiency requirements have tightened. My 2140 cost $600 in early 2006, but there were water district and gas company rebates totaling $140. So an equivalent price of $460 before sales tax (tax was calculated on $600, of course). A buyer today could not expect the same rebates, at least not in California, so the way to move them is by price-slashing.

If my 2140 bit the dust---and someday its aluminum spider will do so---I would replace it with a newer Frigidaire or Electrolux, given the price drops (plus the fact that the newer models still get rebates). The only caveat is that I have my dryer stacked on top of the washer. Possibly a stacking bracket would allow me to use the old dryer, but it's only 5.7 cu ft and would not be able to handle large loads coming out of a 4.4+ cu ft washer. So buying a new washer would also entail buying a new dryer, and giving away the old dryer to a friend or charity.

 

[jetcone]

yes I got suckerd in my the rebait and switch tactic

this weekend.
Needed a new toothbrush so OralB is advertising 50% off certain BOXES, you have to go in the store and see which boxes they actually have on the shelf. I found a TOL model for 50% off,which was cheaper than the second from the top I really wanted. So I grabbed it. Got it home and started to fill out the rebate and at the bottom in tiny tiny tiny lettering were the words " Rebate supplied in cash equavalent coupon"! So no refund to my CC and no check to put in the bank.
However I do like my new toothbrush it does work better than my old one.

 

[cfz2882]

$249 maytag pair!

just saw an ad on tv for a new maytag pair for $249!;
looked like it was WP DD-even the consign stores in my area
sell nice used sets for more than this!

 

[appnut]

$249 Maytag pair

These are on closeout, the last of the DD washers. Trying to clear out inventory to rid of them.

 

[cfz2882]

At that price they are worth buying to stash away for later if
you have the room!