what's wrong with this Speed Queen?

[brucelucenta]

Another happy owner of a speed queen washer!!! I guess they still have a few issues with their machines, don't they? But, It IS American made!!! That should make up for everything according to some! And it is somehow partly a problem of the consumer's own making????? Unbelievable!!!! Thanks, I'll stick to my LG. Back to the original question…what's wrong is you should have bought something else!

 

[sbond22]

Scratch Proof LG.

If I had been aware of this feature I never would have bought my new SQ.

 

[brucelucenta]

Did you see ANYWHERE in my post where I said that LG was scratch proof?

 

[brucelucenta]

Makes the "quality" of speed queen kind of obvious.

 

[mamapinky]

I know this had to happen at the factory, I met the truck when it pulled in here and the machine was in a unopened box, the box was not damaged. I have sent the pic to SQ, along with a phone call, SQ says they will take full responsibility for this and I can either accept a new front panel or a replacement washer LOL..this machine has been operating flawlessly so I've accepted a new front panel, however SQ has assured me if any operating problems arise in the next 30 days a new replacement will be sent, no questions asked. I see this as SQ trying to do the right thing. I don't know how this made it out the doors of the factory or why some jerk went to the trouble of touching it up instead of just putting a new front panel on it but it did...I'm just glad SQ wants to do the right thing.

Combo I don't believe for a second some of my washer problems are of my own making. I do however think most of this could have been avoided if I would have had a service tech that knew what he was doing.
Eddie, yes I bought the SQ dryer almost a month after buying the washer, and I was in the dealership thru the winter looking at AC units, and dishwashers, they knew I'd be back to buy in the spring or early summer, no way I will buy from them now.
The appliance demons must have it out for me for sure...I need a new dishwasher but I am dreading that LOL.
Anyway hopefully I will replace the new front panel on this washer and my machine will give me great service for years. I do still have my old Roper which actually was a great machine.
I do thank all of you for your good advice, your a great group of knowledgeable folks and I appricate your time ....Thank You Cheryl

 

[runematic]

I've seen quite a few factory-fresh appliances with damage that were boxed up and shipped out. I've had damaged Frigidaire built Crosley refrigerators with scratches BEHIND the sterofoam panels. I've had WP built Maytags come in that way. It's not very often, but it does happen. Most of the time, it is the Mexican-built stuff though.

 

[mrb627]

Source Of Problems

Appear to be with your dealer.
Selling is one thing, but servicing is another.
A dealer that also services what they sell is not always the best choice.

Malcolm

 

[ea56]

Cheryl,

I think you have made the right decision for now to accept the new panel if the washer otherwise is satisfactory. I'm glad that SQ has taken care of you, but be sure (and I know you've already done so) to document the who, what and where of your conversation with SQ.

I totally agree with you, that scratch was on the washer when it left the factory. Anyone reading your account should have been able to determine that. And even worse, the touchup job is so bad that you know whoever did this also knew they were shipping out a defective product.

As for this dealer, I wouldn't buy a box of Affresh tablets from him, never mind another new appliance. Maybe it was just the tech that couldn't or wouldn't do his job properly, but at anyrate, the owner was aware of your ongoing problems with the machine. He also knew you are a repeat customer that is also interested in future purchases. This should have prompted him or her to followup on you situation to make sure you were happy.

And as for the problems being of your making, I really don't see how this conclusion was made. You should be able to use a new washer for at the very least a few yrs. before you have any service needs. And as for any future service needs, it might be wise to ask SQ for a referral to another service provider, just in case.

Anyway, best of luck to you.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 5/26/2016-11:46]

 

[runematic]

I have seen hidden damage from a few different manufacturers that had to have come from the factory. For instance, top mount refrig with a dent on the door UNDER the corner foam piece that was not damaged in any way possible. It had to be on there and then the person at the factory put the corner piece on. I've seen touch up jobs.

I have never seen a scratch that big though. You win a prize!!

 

[brucelucenta]

Hope you have better luck with this machine.

 

[angus]

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.

 

[pierreandreply4]

i would say the logic in all of this is shop around

I would say the logic in all of this would be when shoping around go to diffrent stores

 

[brucelucenta]

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.

 

[frigilux]

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]

 

[runematic]

indecently-owned appliance dealers

That almost sounds like my place!!! LOL! Gotta love auto-correct.

 

[jp10558]

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.

 

[mamapinky]

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

 

[mrb627]

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

 

[mamapinky]

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

 

[glomain]

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.