We had been having intermittent problems with the washing machine not wanting to start, for probably a year. Most of the time it would start, then it wouldn't. The advice was unplug it, and plug it back in. That worked, until it didn't. Then the advice was leave it unplugged for five minutes, that worked, until it didn't. Finally after being asked to repeat that process, a technician was sent out to look at it. The technician repeated the unplug and stare at it routine, consulted with the manuals and announced it needed a new circuit board and door latch mechanism. The repair estimate was nearly half the price of a new machine. And I was so frustrated with the old one, I said, "no - thank you." I wanted to say "fuck no" but I am too polite to say what I am really thinking sometimes.
A quick trip to Lowes, we had narrowed the choice down to two options, and they had both on display, side by side, and both on sale for the same price. We went with the LG, it was delivered a few days later. The simple joy of things that work. Everytime, at the push of a button.
I had not really allowed myself to acknowledge how stressed I was about the intermittent problems with the washer. A low level underlying stress, for months. Hesitancy to run a load of laundry. Angst over will it start on the first try or will I have to fiddle with it to get it to work today. That had been going on for months. That is gone. A little concern the first few times I pushed the buttons on the new machine, but it works. There is nothing to stress over. Life as it should be.
For those wondering, the washer dryer is in the kitchen. The condo is relatively small (a little over 1,100 square feet, about 100 square meters.) In nearly all of the floorplans the apartments came with a stacked washer dryer in the kitchen. Unusual in the USA, convenient as could be. The integrated washer/dryer stacks work very well, and fit the space nicely.
We had stacked in our condo in San Diego in the early 90s. But small and less efficient. Yours look impressive.
ReplyDeleteThe way the kitchen is laid out, full size will fit.
DeleteThey are sure huge units, far bigger than we would see here. I wonder why that is? It is probably a time consuming battle, but here you could go to a free civil court, VCAT, and argue that at five years, well you've been having trouble for a year, so four years, that the machine did not last until normal expectations. The life expectation of a washing machine should be at least ten years.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have Speed Queen washing machines in our laundromats, and the name always amused me.
No matter. Enjoy your reliable new appliances.
I was ready to put the stress behind me, there was another complicated issue with the dealer/repair service that I would win on, but at what price to me mental health?
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteOur washer and dryer were purchased when we moved into this house ands they are tired looking, and each has had a couple of not expensive repairs, but ::: knock wood ::: they are twenty years old and still working!!
We have side-by-side unit in out kitchen in Miami; not a big space made smaller by those machines!
I disappointed in the previous machine. They should last 10-20 years.
DeleteI have a stacked unit in my apartment and it works well (knock on wood). I can imagine the frustration with the temperamental one. That would be frustrating. Glad you got it resolved.
ReplyDeleteI should have replaced the old one a few months ago.
DeleteWe don't realize how dependent we are on our devices until they stop working! In some ways it's even worse when they SORT OF work, because then you're living with uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteThe intermittent problems are also harder to find a repair.
DeleteGlad you like the new machines.
ReplyDeleteIt works well, that really helps
DeleteI am happy 😊 that you like the new machines.
ReplyDeleteLaundry is a gotta-do chore and the machine needs to be a gotta-work appliance!
ReplyDelete