what's wrong with this Speed Queen?

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Agreed - a seller who also services is not always the best bet. My first Speed Queen repair experience was a horror show that went on for one month. The local dealer sent his "repair guy" that happened to be his son who misdiagnosed the problem (it was actually a worn belt), accused me of not knowing how to do laundry by chronically oversudsing the machine resulting in it losing spin speed, and basically "fixed" the problem by spraying WD40 all over the underside of the machine. Then when I complained to the father, he stood by his son's diagnosis and told me the remedy would be to fill the machine with hot water and add 3 cups of bleach which would clear out the residual suds. When I challenged him, he had his "office manager" (his wife) call me to tell me that they were finished with me and wouldn't do anything else since I was rude to his son (I actually did throw him out of the house..)

Fast forward, I found another repair person (Jeff's Appliance in Shelton CT- great service!!) who diagnosed the problem within 5 minutes and after complaining to Alliance, they sent me a new belt and idler pulley assembly free of charge. It did take some time for the poor guy to clean out all the WD 40 which continued to smell for a while after that. The one thing that bothered me was that Alliance did nothing to that idiot store owner who is still selling Speed Queen.
 
It seems to me that Alliance does not really care who sells their machines or if they know how to repair them. Nice of them to finally do something about malfunctioning machines and send parts and such, but why would something fairly new need new parts all the time? I have looked at the mechanism of the machines they make now. They still look very much like the same old design that was made back in the early 80's. Just isn't that much different. The pulley was always a source of problems and noisy. The belt or belts constantly needed replacing.The tub seals were constantly failing and ruining the bearings. There were many instances of the lip that held the tub seal in place rusting out. Just lots and lots of issues. As I stated before, I have never seen so many automatic washers die such an early death as the speed queen machines from the 80's and 90's. There may not be quite as many problems as there once were, but they still have the same basic problems and issues. I think what they tried to do when they designed their machine was to try and copy Maytag machines and just didn't do a very good job of it. I personally was never that crazy about Maytag washers. They didn't have enough washing action to suit me and were not flashy looking enough for me. But they did do a good job of washing and rinsing when loaded correctly and they lasted on and on and on without any repairs or problems in most cases. Even when there was a problem it was minimal. I just don't see that with speed queen machines of today. They seem to take a great deal of maintenance to keep them going. Belts, pulleys, timers, pumps and sometimes tub seals and bearings. I just never saw that kind of thing with the old Maytag machines. Maybe they are the very best top loading machine made today. It that is so, things have certainly gone terribly downhill.
 
The two indecently-owned appliance dealers in my little village are excellent with service / repairs. I read horror stories like the ones above and wonder how such dolts can remain in business. Around here, word-of-mouth would kill a dealership that provided such lousy service very quickly.

Edit: LOL! Only Autocorrect could have substituted such a hilarious replacement word. I did, of course, mean 'independently owned'.[this post was last edited: 5/27/2016-07:48]
 
I must be lucky, but in my area I've yet to have a bad repair or service tech sent out, from the A&E contractor for Sears to the local Thayer Appliance (where I bought my SQ because they're more known for repairs than being a sales place)... The bigger problem is it often isn't really cost effective to repair most appliances, and the repair techs are up front honest about that (Like I am on Computer repairs - there's a very limited set of repairs that make any financial sense).

It's the usual thing that labor just makes the cost very high or the things are designed so that you have to get a $500 assembly instead of the $25 part that broke...

I've so far had a good experience with the local stores, but it's important to know that you're dealing with a good local place or you might as well go online IMO.
 
I'm disgusted

Strange sound on this new machine...I only hear it during agitation. .sounds like drinking glasses banging against each other. When I put my ear down close to agitator it sounds like its comming from that area.this is ridiculous. .I'm wondering with the dents and scratches if this machine was dropped along the way..somewhere. any thoughts? I've about had it. Thanks guys
 
Transmission Noises

Sounds like the transmission is still breaking itself in.
Should quiet down after a number of loads.
Probably would worry too much about it.

Malcolm
 
I let SQ listen to it over the phone..they told me to call the dealer..the dealer listened to it...they are picking it up Wednesday...and giving me a full refund check. It could be normal break in sounds but I know nothing about this ..I didn't ask for the refund, they insisted saying nothing will make me happy and that there was absolutly no reason I should have cared about the scratches and dents and that I'm the only customer they have ever had that would ask for a new front cover because of scratches...I think this dealer is nuts..my money will be better spent elsewhere. Oh the dealer said when they ran this machine for a test drive before delivering it ..all seemed fine...wth..it came in a box..I'm pissed
 
IN THE BOX

Its not like they could of cut the top strap from the box,pulled the box off,restraped it & then brought it to you.But I do not think they would go threw all that trouble.Also I really don't think SQ would of shipped it out like that.
 
I'm glad that you are finally getting your money back.  I can't believe that this dealer actually thinks that you should be willing to accept less than perfect goods on a new appliance sale.  I thought that the justification for SQ higher prices was due to their superior quality.  For a while now I have been wondering if SQ is a cash cow for dealers and that is why they promote them.  After all, if they require so much maintenance and repair they are like the gift that keeps on giving for a dealer that does service.

 

After you get your check and it clears the bank you might want to let SQ know about this dealers poor attitude.

 

In the meantime press your Roper back into service and look for a good used TL to refurbish.  For the kind of TL you like I don't think you'll be able to find it another way.  Good Luck!

Eddie

[this post was last edited: 5/27/2016-11:31]
 
All I can suggest to you is to get an LG front loader. I don't think you would ever be sorry. If you are apposed to a front loader, get the newest Maytag washer that was actually made with the real Maytag mechanism that you can find. They were made up until about 2006. With a low mileage model you couldn't go wrong. Even a later model direct drive Whirlpool built machine wouldn't be bad.
 
if you went a good washer nothing beats driect drive washer

if you went a good washer indterm of top load nothing beats good old fashion direct drive and if you look at this kenmore direct drive you have the advantage of chosing the agitiaton and spin speed depending on the load your washing as well as an extra rinse

pierreandreply4-2016052711290701035_1.jpg
 
When you call the LG factory in Korea......

do they speak English? Oh wait that's right you can't call the Korean factory where LG is made. They don't have a number listed,

Hey Cheryl,
Sorry for your troubles, I would be pissed as well and I think the dealer and his service tech are what prolonged this situation. Alliance did agree to give you a new machine initially and even offered to replace the second one if you weren't satisfied. That to me is good customer service. One day I'll tell you how an "LG" factory cert service tech screwed me.

Whatever you do I wish you luck and hope you have a better buying experience. Warranties are for issues just like this and at least Alliance was standing behind their product. I really think that machine was damaged in transit.

Let us know how you make out.
Mike
 
Sorry the new washer didn't work out!

What I read of this experience sounds like a nightmare.

Maybe the new machine is only breaking in...but after all that has happened, I think many people would be wondering. I know for sure I'D be wondering.

And I am less than impressed by the attitude towards that scratch. I have a hard time believing no one would care about scratches. I think many people would care very much on a brand new machine.
 
>if you went a good washer nothing beats driect drive washer

That depends... They seem durable, and they seem to be easy to repair. But there is that "Shredmore" issue (clothing damage). Whether or not they are harsh on clothes seems to be debatable here--I note some hate the DDs, citing all sorts of problems, and others claim zero trouble.

For the record, I am using a ca. 2007 WP DD, and over the last year, I think I've noted wear issues...although I can't say for sure how much, if any, I can blame the washer. (Was stuff just worn to roughly that point, anyway? Possible, since it's not new.) This said...I don't think I'd want a WP DD to be my only washer unless it had 2 speeds (this one doesn't). Ideally, a DD would be a model that has a speed switch separate from the timer (so that one can set gentle wash/fast spin).
 
>look for a good used TL to refurbish. For the kind of TL you like I don't think you'll be able to find it another way.

This might be worth considering.
 
Cheryl,

While I'm personally no great fan of Direct Drive Whirlpool/Kenmore washing machines, I will say that they are indeed built like tanks and are absolutely a dime a dozen.

Personally, I prefer and would have suggested a reconditioned two-belt Maytag washer, but they're usually not as easy to find as the Whirlpool machines. I can't say enough good things about mine.

Here's a few Whirlpool machines that I found in both the Pittsburgh area and the Altoona-Johnstown area for your perusal:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/5605557576.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/5594892100.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/5599573145.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/5597442688.html

http://altoona.craigslist.org/app/5607145586.html
 
Thank you all...I'm glad this is comming to an end...lol. I don't know what I will buy as far as new yet but I'm going to just use Roper and play the waiting game until I find what I want..but that doesn't mean I won't buy an older machine to play with. Theres a man in Latrobe Pa 15 minutes from me tbat says he fixes up older machines and currently has 4 ready to go..2 Maytags that he says run great and are at least 25 year old but he wasn't home to give me the model # says one of the Maytags has a brownish console like that tells me anything lol..and 2 old Whirlpools...I'll probably take a look this week he asks 75 for his machines and gives 60 money back gar. As long as the Roper keeps chugging away I'm ok. As far as new goes..I'm stuck..I have always used full fill with true hot...that's over with in todays market...FL scares me but if I could find one that actually uses water and has a heater...I think I might. Oh and in my price range, I'd like to keep it no more than 1 thousand and less would be better. Elux is out right off the bat, I hear too many people say they don't use enough water on the rinse cycles...ok I'm done rambling for now.
I thank all of you Eddie I fully intend to let some of the big guys at SQ know about this dealer lol...Thank You. ..Cheryl
 
I'm going to try to post a pic of the box in truck before opening..but sometimes when I try to post a pic it posts the last pic I sent in...I'm a puter dummy.

mamapinky-2016052811145901738_1.jpg
 
.
" Oh the dealer said when they ran this machine for a test drive before delivering it...."

So at least we should expect the strapping to have been cut from the box. But how do you remove the machine from the box without cutting the box?
 
The box was cut, look at the very bottom of the picture of the box. It has been cut right along the dotted line on the box where the box is meant to be opened. If the serial numbers on the box and the machine don't match then one would have to conclude that the dealer made a switch. While I hate to think any honest dealer would do this perhaps this was their way of getting rid of another defective machine. This scenario would clear Alliance of any wrong doing. It does seem that Alliance has been trying to do the right thing in resolving this issue. Too bad the dealer isn't up to par with Alliance. Maybe if Cheryl still wants a new SQ TL she could get Alliance to contact another dealer in her area and arrange for the sale to be made thru them if they can be relied upon to provide the follow thru that a customer would expect when buying a major appliance.

BTW Cheryl, that was good thinking on your part to photo document the delivery of the replacement machine. If you haven't already done so get a clear photo of the serial number on the machine before they pick it up on Wed. If the numbers don't match you'll have clear evidence to provide to Alliance. And since you've been thru so much hassle with this purchase maybe Alliance would upgrade you to their FL for a slight extra charge or no extra charge as a gesture of goodwill. I think you would be much happier with the FL anyway since IIRC you do laundry for more than a few people and you would have a larger capacity.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 5/28/2016-16:12]
 
Scratched...

The scratch was likely dealer installed as well. Perhaps the machine on the sales floor was scratched and they saw a chance to get a new panel on the sales model... Swapping out your replacement.

Shameful, if this holds true.

Malcolm
 
This whole thing is sad-makes Alliance look like the "bad guy".When I received new transmitter tubes-like the washer made sure the SN on the tube matched that on the package.In looking at the picture of the package on the truck-would call the dealer and tell them this that you won't accept the machine unless its in a factory sealed package!Years ago did get a KN DD machine from Sears-delivory man was unpacking it -the box was factory sealed-but the top of the washers control console was dented.Washer worked fine.They knocked off an additional 100 bucks off the price-this was back when Sears offered REAL service.The dented control panel was a mystery to both of us.The package didn't have any marks on it.Think the dealer in this case was the "bad guy" and Alliance should drop their affilliation with them.
 
Advice

When you buy a machine ask that it be dropped off at your home in box, unopened. I do this with 100% of my appliances purchases and NEVER, EVER had a problem. If it comes opened, I refuse to let them drop it off and store gets a call like no other. The times I let folks drag an opened machine into my home has always been disappointing. I've even had guys use a long knife to open the box which left scratches. Install it yourself as well.

My honest opinion here is that dealer sucks and the repair man is a quack. Seriously, new timer for what sounds like a suspension/transmission issue?
 

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