Washer/Dryer recommendation?

[LisaH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LisaH]

I need to buy a pair of washer/dryer for our rental property. I was told not to buy the front load washer as tenants might use the wrong detergent thus causing damage to the washer and flood. We have gone to Sears and Home Depot and try to decide among Maytag, GE, and Kenmore which happens to have a 15% off sale currently. Our budget is around $1000. Do you have any recommendations? The primary consideration is quality/durability. Water usage is not a major concern since water is included in our association fee. Tenants pays for electricity.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I bought mine through a comany that sells commercial laundry equipment. I bought a used set, Speedqueen back in the early 90s. Finally replaced the washer with another used machine, Maytag this time. It cost me about $500 for the washer.

Mine has coin boxes because even though the tenants pay for the electricity, I pay for water and the equipment. I found out early on that when free, the tenants would wash very small loads, do it more often and waste as much water as doing a full load. Even though the washer is only $1.00, they are more likely to do full loads. I will never be rich on my dollar washer and 75 cent dryer, but they are not wasting resources (my money) either.

[pkyorkbeach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pkyorkbeach]

I just replaced a washer in my home after looking for months. Did not want a front load. Tried around five stores finally picked Sears. Looked for simple dials-I figured less to break found one on sale total cost under four hundred dollars. We are a family of five adults using the machine so I wanted sturdy and simple. They delivered, set up and took away. Best price was Sears.

[Jeanne Sz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeanne Sz]

We also replaced ours about a year ago. Ended up with a Sears Kenmore 700 top load washer. We'd bought a HE washer with electronic controls, got it delivered and it didn't work. The 700 is its replacement; cost under $400 and works great. Gas dryer also cost about the same, also on sale.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Lisa,
My ds and dil buy dent and scratch (look for small dents and scratches) for their rental property. Tennants are hard on appliances and misuse them. They save money by D&S. Good luck.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I say go to Sears...we pay more here for appliances, but I had a washer and dryer, Kenmore form Sears for 13 years with tons of usage and abuse from boys LOL...just replaced the washer and dryer still kicking....I feel I got my monies worth...for sure..

[LisaH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LisaH]

Thanks everyone! I would consider buying dent and scratch but the property is located far far away from home. We can only buy via telephone or online and we won't be able to personally inspect the level of damage on the products. We went to local Home depot and Sears to look around and decided to buy Kenmore from Sears. The items we were interested are made by whirlpool and that's the manufacturer that seems to make good washer/dryer products these days. Sears will also do delivery and installation for free. Keep our fingers crossed and hope everything goes well...

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I always try to get them to take the old appliances for free when I get new ones. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't.

[PHILL12 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PHILL12]

I need to buy a pair of washer/dryer for our rental property. We have gone to Sears and Home Depot and try to decide among Maytag, GE, and Kenmore which happens to have a 15% off sale currently. Our budget is around $1000. Do you have any recommendations? The primary consideration is quality/durability.

Lisa if you buy from Sears be very careful of the Kenmore Elite Oasis washer! We replaced our old Kenmore with one late 2009 and one week after the warranty was up the thing fell apart. We called and was told the cost would be over $400 and when I asked how the lady knew this without looking she stated they have same problem with these units everyday. This was great way to get us buying their insurance which was about $200.

The service man came out and stated he already knew what was wrong and had to remove the whole inside area including the tumbler and replace it. It took a week to get new one and three hours to install it. The repairman said he gets this same job at least four times a week on these units because it was a defect and Sears does know about it.

I asked then why they don't recall them and was told its easier to just replace the inside area and most washers go out before the twelve month period so owners don't have to pay for it or like us choice of $400 or insurance and $200. He told us we were lucky the girl on the phone made the offer because most times they don't and owners then have to pay $400 or buy new washer. Sounds like these sales people at Sears might have sold timeshares at one time.

PHILL12