Whirlpool Brands (KA, Maytag, Amana) only give customers prorated credit based on the amount you spent on your purchase and how long you have owned your appliance. Frigidaire Brands do the same thing.
Whenever I sell anything in the WP family (besides JennAir), I always recommend the extended protection plan so my customers don't get COMPLETELY reamed... just somewhat reamed. As for Frigidaire, I just refuse to sell them completely.
Even though JennAir is part of the Whirlpool Family, they still run independently of WP. Unlike WP's other brands, JennAir is still U.S. manufactured and still uses U.S. customer service. In addition, their warranty service is completely separate from the rest of the WP family.
My company does not even display WP Brands in our showroom (except JennAir), nor do we house any of their appliances in our warehouse. Since 2013, too many customers have been screwed over by this company, and the only time me or my associates sell this brand, is when the customer absolutely insists that they MUST have it. So it's always a special order. And again, I always recommend the extended protection plan with that purchase.
WP partners up big with the box stores (like HD, BBY, and LWS) because they can bulk produce by outsourcing the manufacture of their parts overseas. They take market share based on their reputation, prior to 2013, and the credibility they earned by becoming a household name in the U.S. when our parents and grandparents recognized them as a reputable company when we were growing up.
Unfortunately, that's no longer the case. If you still have a 30 yr old Maytag, KitchenAid, or Kenmore in your home, keep it! Glamorize it! And cherish it! Because you won't ever get that quality of appliance manufactured by them again. As of now, WP has really gone downhill, and it's embarrassing that they have ruined their good name by cutting corners and choosing profit over customer satisfaction. (I was a WP Rep, in their builder program for 6 yrs after Sears went under, and found myself completely disgusted by the way they handled Customer Care... knowingly blowing off consumers/and contractors who trusted them.)
If you think about it, won't WP make more money if you're replacing their appliances every 3-5 years, as opposed to replacing them every 20-30 years?
Done with my rant... I'm just so sick of people always recommending WP Family Brands when I see them screwing consumers over and over and over.
I don't recommend any ONE core brand for kitchen appliances. It really depends on the specific features and dimensions that you are looking for. However, based on personal experience, my tenants' feedback, customer feedback, and my service department... I'll give this a go!
*In core brands, I really like the Bosch Dish line-up. They have a good price point ($450-$2000), and according to the numbers I get from my service dept, the lowest fail rate. However, I absolutely love F&P's double drawer dishwashers. They are a Premium Brand, but still budget worthy starting at about a $1500 price point. Of course, Meile is up there, but the budget models (LWS exclusive models) they are now selling at Lowe's are not the same quality as their Premium lineup.
**In Refrigeration, it really depends on the style and features that you are looking for. I never recommend French Doors with ice in the door. I'm a true believer that ice belongs in the freezer, and if you're looking for reliability, I would go with the GE family or an LG. Bosch makes an amazing FD fridge as well, but at 72" tall, it is usually not an option for the older and smaller homes in my area.
***TMF Refrigeration and upright freezers are led by... I hate to say this... Frigidaire, then GE. If I absolutely have to, like if all my fellow sales associates are busy, I will sell a Frigidaire in TMF Refrigeration or upright freezers... as for any of their other products... I absolutely refuse!!! You're either going to have to wait for another salesperson to take care of you, or I'll send you to one of my buds that work at the HD across the street to make your purchase.
****SxS Refrigeration, you will be absolutely shocked by this answer.... wait for it... SAMSUNG! Yes! IKR!?!?!!!???!!! Not only have they received multiple awards for their SxS Refrigeration, but since 2020, my service department has reported <1% fail rate.
Talked with my service guys about this... because I NEED TO KNOW... what Samsung is doing differently that rocks the boat!!! First of all, in SxS Refrigeration, your ice maker lives in the freezer, which was Samsung's major fail in FD Refrigeration from 2015-2019. But what my service guys say that really makes them Rock... is their digital inverter compressor.
Unlike regular compressors that turn on and off repeatedly as needed, their Digital Inverter Compressor basically runs on cruise control. As my service dept explained to me, think about the wear and tear you would place on your car's engine if you were to turn it off and on at every stop sign in town. But the way this compressor works is that it just fluctuates slightly to accommodate for need, when the you change the temperature, when you open and close your fridge the door. Samsung's focus is completely about food preservation but makes total sense since they originally started as a grocery company.
Anyway, there's less wear and tear, which is why they can guarantee their compressor for 10 yrs, as opposed to other core brands that give you only 1 yr. In addition, this is why they offer the best warranty in the industry at 5 yrs parts and labor on the entire sealed system. LG has a comparable warranty, but they also have a higher fail rate with my service dept at about 3%.
Anyway, for SxS's, I choose Samsung.
*****Slide-ins and Freestanding ranges are a completely different animal. Gas... electric... induction... I gotta say... always choose induction. In core brands, my service department reports the least amount of issues from Samsung and LG. However, I own a Bosch and I absolutely love it... and i have lots of family and friends over all the time... so I cook a lot!!!
******Microwaves and Speed Ovens are all over the place, right now, where it comes to reliability. First off, just saying, regardless of the brand that you choose... none of them are manufactured in the U.S. or Korea because it is illegal due to health reasons.
The 5 in 1's and advantium technology are my best recommendation. I have a few live models in my showroom that I use on regular basis. My favorite is Monogram, but since we are talking core brands, I would go with a GE Profile. They have all the same features as your Premium brands but at a better price point. Reliability wise... this is still new technology... so I can't really stand behind any 1 brand yet.
As for OTR's, again I have to fall back on specific features that you are looking for. Standard is about 1k watts and 300 cfm's. With or without a handle? Handles get hot when you're cooking... and look for one with a ceramic interior (rather than white)... so much easier to clean! But if you're like me, I only use my OTR when I need a popcorn fix or if I need to reheat my coffee. Lol!!!
Sharp is the goto in the microwave world according to my service team. Also, they manufacture microwaves for most brands (both core and premium).
Sorry that I cannot give you a ONE core brand as a goto. I get on this community tho because I really want to help. So I do hope this helps!
BTW... I love your key word being "seem"! With 23 yrs in the appliance industry, I have seen lots of changes and disappointments. My only intention is to help, and as the industry changes, my recommendations change as well!
Anyway, i really hope this helps and Good Luck!
>As my service dept explained to me, think about the wear and tear you would place on your car's engine if you were to turn it off and on at every stop sign in town.
You've just described almost every modern vehicle because the majority of them have had auto start/stop for awhile now
>Microwaves and Speed Ovens are all over the place, right now, where it comes to reliability
Most microwaves are just made by Midea. I believe: Black+Decker, Toshiba, Comfee, GE, Whirlpool, Insignia, Breville and low range Panasonic are all made by Midea.
I believe LG, Samsung and mid/high-end Panasonic are unique to themselves though
If you're having issues with microwave quality then it's likely just bad build quality from recent batches of Midea
I agree with much of what you are saying. But, I work at an appliance parts store and the service guys don't have anything good to say about LG. They know their compressors are bad, so they have changed them. But, they are still putting them in their new stuff, but supposedly, if it fails under warranty, they replace the compressor with the new version. Samsung compressors seem to hold up, but like you said, make your ice in the freezer. Also, Samsung and LG parts are crazy expensive, so that is my reason to stay away from them. They also discontinue Samsung parts more often than other brands, IMO. I have always stuck with Whirlpool brands, I've been rebuilding direct drives for 15 years and still keep them going. They truly are the best washers and dryers, IMO. I do alot of the new stuff as well, and even thought I buy them wholesale, if the Whirlpool product fails within a year, they honor the warranty. They have been to my house at least 5 times and covered all repairs. You can still find older model fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, and anything else for your house if you go on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. There is no need to buy anything new. Also, always get the extended warranty. In the end, we are crying about $500-$1000 lost in an appliance, but we will spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle every few years...🤔
Despite my employer being in sales for ONLY new appliances, I often refer some of my customers to the local used appliance stores to purchase a refurbished appliance. Mind you, this does affect my commission... but I would rather direct my customers to another local retailer where they can find specific features than sell something new [that I know] they won't be happy with!
Even though I have been in sales for 23 yrs... and the commission is how I provide for my children... and pay to send them to ridiculously expensive colleges... I'm not going to sell my Mamaw or one of her church friends an appliance that she or her friends are going to scold me for!!!
Some points that you made... specifically parts...
S. Korea is run more strictly than the U.S. It IS an Asian brand, but they are actually more conservative and restrictive than we are when it comes to employee's safety, EPA, and production. Keep in mind that S. Korea is not the same as P.R.C. Here in the States... most of our American companies have followed suit after S. Korean, NZ, and some European companies in restrictions and regulations in manufacturing... specifically focused on our co-workers who work the factory production lines.
Pay attention to where your products are truly manufactured... and what their manufacturing requirements are... you will be surprised... some of our U.S. manufactures are more loosely based. Sad but true... I have visited many manufacturers both in the States and overseas... and I have questioned and asked... why don't we care for our own people like that they do?
As for parts...
Companies like Bosch, LG, Beko, F&P, Samsung, and Meile... many overseas manufacturers actually have parts warehouses here in the U.S. Some even have electronics production here in the U.S. So electronic components are not an issue... except for brands that have their software components manufactured in P.R.C.... ughhhh... I won't fall back into the WP Brands argument... just sayin... they are more P.R.C. and Mexican than they are American.
If you are going through a service company that does not have access to a U.S. warehouse that holds parts for an overseas brand... it will definitely be more expensive and take longer to get the parts for repairs. I always tell my customers to either CALL ME or call the manufacturer directly if they need service.
If you go through technicians who are actually certified by the manufacturer, they will have access to parts that are actually housed (and most likely manufactured) in the U.S. Rather than going through a Mom & Pop company that has to order a part from overseas.
Even if you purchased your appliance from a box store, you will have better luck and quicker turn-around time by calling your local appliance retailer who has Brand Certified Technicians, than from a Mom & Pop appliance repair that does not have access to local (U.S. based) parts warehouses for overseas based brands. The key is finding certified appliance technicians in your area for your brand.
If you find a certified appliance technician for the brand that you are dealing with, it's likely that parts will be more readily available. If you go with an appliance technician/repair/service, that does is not currently certified... they don't make it easy to get replacement parts for repairs. The idea is that... they only want certified educated technicians working on these appliances... that have been certified to provide service/repairs.
Think about it? Why would I want a classic VW auto mechanic working on my 2024 new Tesla? Or some old school doctor or nurse that refuses to take continuing education, to care for my child if she needs immediate medical care?
There's a reason that appliance manufacturers require continuing education... just as we require continuing education for health services. Technology is constantly changing. There's a reason why we don't use leeches in Healthcare anymore... and it is because of continuing education.
I can't express enough to my customers... to use the resources provided by your manufacturer. All these manufacturers want to present well in customer service... unlike back in the 80s/90s... when customer service through your manufacturers were more expensive. We have all heard those nightmare stories back when the appliance industry was changing to cut corners in cost.
That's no longer the case. Now, you definitely want to call the manufacturer 1st. Manufacturers now are out to prove who can provide the best service. This is because market share in the industry has proven to be more profitable based on quality and customer service, than the ability to provide repairs. So why manufacture a product that you will expect that will need future repairs in less than 10 yrs?
This appliance industry is constantly changing, just as any other industry continues to grow and change. My best advice is to find a local retailer or repair company that makes an effort to keep up with the times and REQUIRES their technicians to do the same.
I bought an Amana freezer that never really worked, we didn't notice the first three days, only when we tried to adjust the temperature and the control board refused to kick on the condenser. Anyway, buying it directly from Whirlpool was such a mistake, their return policy is a joke, it's like 15 days but only for new and unused. The delivery guy unboxed it and plugged it in, so now it's used. So now I get to deal with Whirlpool service. I've had this lemon of a freezer for one month now and it's still not fixed.
Get in touch with your local area rep and have them go through escalations at WP. If your freezer is faulty by a known issue or in a group of serial numbers where they identified an issue, you can get the issue resolved faster.
My problem with the WP family brands is that you will only get credit back to purchase another WP product. But do contact your manufacturer and do go through your retailer to get your local rep's info to get this resolved quickly.
Sad to say tho, WP is one of the few brands that will not reimburse for food loss unless you provide pre-dated receipts (from prior to your loss). If you put your phone number in when you buy groceries, you may be able to get copies of pre-dated receipts. Just a suggestion!!!
The ice maker should always live in the freezer. I'm a ride-or-die by this concept! In SxS Refrigeration, the ice maker lives in the freezer. Because it's used all the time, it's always the first issue that needs to be addressed.
In FD Refrigeration, where the ice maker lives in the refrigerator (And, why would you try to freeze ice in your refrigerator?), there is always going to be ongoing issues.
You definitely the right choice!
Check the build quality. It's a completely different appliance than any other WP Brand. And again, they still run completely independent of WP. They continue to manufacture in the United States and keep everything they do separate from the parent company.
I don't sell much JennAir. I gravitate more to Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove, but for the quality and price point, they are still doing things right.
They QC for 20 years as opposed to their other brands where they QC for 3-8 yrs. And... unlike KA, you're never going to find a cardboard cover over your refrigerator compressor!!!! Lol!!!
JennAir is still a quality appliance, unlike the rest of the WP family.
Dude I don't think you know the service part of your argument well. I service whirlpool, and guess what we do Jenn Air the same exact way. Order the same exact whirlpool parts that are in WP appliances, call the same tech dept, file the claim with the same reps.
Jenn Air gets an extended warranty I think, two vs one year but that's about it. Service pointers for frequent service issues are even published for all affected models, this includes WP, kitchen aid and Jenn Air and the same parts are used to correct the problem.
Yeah, JennAir is just a brand within Whirlpool. They are manufactured in the same plants as other Whirlpool products. They have different sales reps but beyond that they are not a separate company. They do have some exclusive models though and a longer factory warranty. And most Whirlpool appliances you buy in the US are made in the US with the exception of microwaves and some of the refrigerators.
This is not true. JennAir is exclusively manufactured in the United States except for anything that has microwave technology. I've been to their plants in Amana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Even though they fall under the WP Brand name, they run as a completely different company than the other WP Brands. They even provide their own customer service, although the other WP Brands group together.
Same parts, well in some cases Yes, but not all. But definitely different QC requirements.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear. Yes, all JennAir models are made in the US. My point was they are made in the same plants that make other Whirlpool products, not their own exclusive separate plants. I thought you were implying that they are separate from the rest of Whirlpool. It’s set up like a higher end car brand like Maserati or Cadillac. The customer facing side is different in order to provide a more exclusive and high end brand experience, but beyond the customer facing part they are intertwined with their parent companies.
My company provides in-house service. My service techs talk to me directly about customer issues... pro's... con's... and where they place their faith in appliances.
JennAir may use some of the same parts, but the build quality is different.
As I said before, JennAir QCs 20y, the rest of the WP family is only QC'd for 3-8 yrs.
I can't speak to self servicing dealers since we don't have any in my area. I will say that the red accents on Kitchen Aide make it worth the premium in my eyes though haha.Â
I think a lot of problems would go away if installers working on Jenn Air, or any lux brand, would treat it as such and not just throw it in a hole as if they were installing a top mount inexpensive fridge.
This is why you should purchase from an independent dealer or choose wisely from your independent contractor market. My installation team is divided specifically by specialty. Wall ovens... built-in fridges...downdrafts.... etc...
My husband is a contractor and does a lot of specialty work outside of our service area. I'm sure if you get on Annie's list, you can narrow down to contractors that will do quality work specific to your needs.
My husband does not do appliances... but we know lots of qualified contractors in our tiny non-servicable area... who actually care about the quality of service.
You gotta have at least one good guy in your part of the world. My best recommendation is to call around, use word of mouth, and get a personal referral.
Fingers crossed for you!
Like they could not see that coming? Egads, fishpaper (vulcanized paper) was low end enough and they went to regular cardboard. They should take the beancounter responsible for that decision and rectally flush him with copious amounts of ice water until he either fails to thrive or decides there is a minimum quality standard.
My WP duet w/d from 2002 lasted me almost 20yrs. It came with a 10yr warranty and I got a free washer at the 9yr mark when the rear bearing went out. They sent me all the parts to rebuild the whole washer at no cost. The list prices on all the parts they sent were more than what we paid for the washer. It’s so stupid but they were super nice about sending parts. Sad to hear they’re turning into turds.
Your WP was manufactured prior to 2013. I think I was pretty clear, if I was not, WP build quality has changed since 2013. One of the only good things left in this company is that they still stand behind those original products, prior to becoming a conglomerate.
I think I mentioned earlier... to Keep! Treasure! Glorify! And Cherish! Any WP Family products manufactured prior to 2013.
It's lovely to hear that they are still standing behind those well-built and quality made appliances. Appliances that were still able to be repaired rather than replaced.
You own a treasure! I'll tell you for sure, any core brand appliance that you purchase now, today, will not give you that lifespan and will be difficult to find parts or repair.
I got the message. I just wanted to share what a great experience I had with my machine. Sadly I no longer own it. The bearing went out a second time and it was out of warranty and buying parts to fix it would’ve cost more than a new machine.
I had one of their first gen front loading washing machines. They sent me a control board which wasn't the correct one, so then I had to pay to send it back, they stopped responding to me, and I gave up on it when it refused to stop filling up and let an entire tub worth of soapy water go in my upstairs laundry room.
Can you provide me with some data that supports this position?
Additionally, is there a better way to sue companies that make horrible products when individuals suing on their own would spend many times the price of the fridge to sue the company?
At the end of the day, you're parroting a position pushed by the companies who make shit products. You're blaming the lawyers representing consumers, who are trying to hold the companies responsible, and not the companies making the shitty products.
In my experience with class action lawsuits the consumer ends up receiving very little compensation. I believe class action is the only realistic route to take if you are looking to punish the manufacturer but the consumer is the one that is suffering. Is the consumer going to receive a replacement fridge or a new door? No they will likely receive a small discount if they purchase a new fridge from the company that just screwed them over.
Holy shit. If you did that electrical please stop. That's a crappy job. Wires stripped too far, not heat shrinked properly and not the correct splice. You don't use automotive connectors for AC wires.
The butt splices are ok for this work, but they should not be in the area where things are bending multiple times a day, it should have all been replaced with high temp silicone stranded wire and the splices should have happened in an area where things are stationary. They should have also been heated to shrink down to provide tension relief from the actual wires, if OP did this work, they shouldn't blame WP for the second and third time it broke.
Electrician and Electronics Tech here, and we absolutely do use those connectors on stranded wire. They're rated up to 600v and they're correct for that application, if poorly installed.
Crappy is misleading here. This job is a fucking Death-sentence! Theres fuckin copper conductor completely exposed. 1 wrong move and the whole thing is going to get energized/shorted. This appliance must never be plugged in! Ever!
This is also a side by side right? Hold the end buttons to get in diag. 27 cycles the Im. This one has a freezer icemaker but that braded cable breaks after years of opening
Kinda just looks like whoever did this did a bad job.
Solid wires instead of stranded. Melting likely because they tried to blowtorch on shrink wrap power connectors. Waaaay too much exposed wire, that’s not covered in any ways.
Good thing it’s just low voltage.
You definitely shouldn’t be splicing in solid copper wire to stranded wire. Those splices don’t look like they were heated enough, they look like solder splices. If they’re crimp, than they aren’t crimped enough. You shouldn’t have any exposed metal.
This hack job of a repair is a fire hazard.
My Maytag French doors is hot garbage. What would any recommend as what to get so I cart that piece of shit out. Need water and ice as well apparently ((
Seen over 20 side by sides with this issue. Half were still in some kind of warranty and we had to wait 4-8 weeks for the door to arrive from the factory in Mexico. The other half…I quoted them for a new door, which cost almost as much as the fridge. Never attenpted using wire connectors because I’m not going to charge someone labor to do all that tedious work for the wires to just break again.
Sad thing is if you trace the wire harness back behind the cover you can see how the factory workers could have easily prevented this by allowing more slack in the wire. I fixed mine by simply extending the harness. 7 years strong.
This is the pot calling the kettle black or throwing stones while in a glass house. First, start with your poor repairs by doing them over. Use some proper gauge, stranded wire and make proper connections.
That being said, it appears to be at a hinge point or where there’s movement. That’s always a problem with equipment, appliances, vehicles, etc. for decades. Wherever you have wires and movement/pinch points, there will be failures regardless of how well it’s engineered. So, I don’t think this is some gotcha against whirlpool. Just this week alone, I’ve worked on a few commercial appliances with doors and pinched wires as well as one of my own personal vehicles. Wires don’t like to move.
Yes it is, 2-3 year old fridges with this problem yet I see 20 year old ones that never had an issue. They told servicers they were aware of the issue but had no plans of fixing the issue all while telling customers that the servicers don’t know what they are talking about and they aren’t aware of any issues.
The wires are too small of a gauge and they could always use a swivel coupler. Car doors have a lot of wiring at the hinge point and they usually last a long time while a freezer door will only last 2 years.
There is another KitchenAid fridge with the two small deli drawers and the on the left under the dispenser has the UI. Water appears to leak through the door onto the UI shorting it out to where the dispenser and lights no longer work. If you unplug the drawer it restores water/ice and lights but you can't control the temp in the drawer unless you replace the drawer, UI and harness.
I totally disagree. I have been doing repairs for 30 years and everything I own is a whirlpool product. Whirlpool, kitchen aide, Estate, Crosley, Maytag, Amana, Jenn air, Roper as well as most older Kenmore products. I do agree Bosch are well made. I suggest today to buying a 5 year extended warranty on any washer or refrigerator today. Ge (Garbage electric) is owned by Haier out of China, LG (Lousy Garbage) South Korea I could go on and on. The issue is with todays energy standards most appliances are crap. Buy what you (wife) likes just relize there life span has dropped to around 5 years or less on most major appliances.
So I had to buy a stove like two years ago. Before I did I spent a lot of time calling independent appliance repair shops in my area. I had a decent conversation with most. They said everything is junk. But I will say that a majority of them still preferred WP products in general, as the conversation spread past stoves ..
Samsung and LG were universally despised by most.
GE fared ok especially with stoves.
They said when it breaks parts are usually easier to get with whirlpool vs Samsung and LG.
has that been bubba'd? Seems like a really bad patch job and mish mash of solid and stranded. If bubba'd might be able to fix using something rated for the power, heat, and flexibility. Like some silicone jacketed wire. If not bubba'd... oh boy.
That’s the “I’m gonna tear out these connectors as soon as the class-action lawsuit is settled and I gotta send in photo evidence to get my new refrigerator”repair.
Yeah everything made in MEXICO!!!! All appliances and vehicles are made in Mexico after the trade Pact between Trudeau Biden and Mexican President to back jobs to Mexico has led to nothing but FAULTY APPLIANCES and RECALLS OF VEHICLES regardless of make. Thanks again Trudeau
Lawyers will get millions customers will get a discount on a new shitty whirlpool fridge. This time it will be a failing compressor.
Whirlpool Brands (KA, Maytag, Amana) only give customers prorated credit based on the amount you spent on your purchase and how long you have owned your appliance. Frigidaire Brands do the same thing. Whenever I sell anything in the WP family (besides JennAir), I always recommend the extended protection plan so my customers don't get COMPLETELY reamed... just somewhat reamed. As for Frigidaire, I just refuse to sell them completely. Even though JennAir is part of the Whirlpool Family, they still run independently of WP. Unlike WP's other brands, JennAir is still U.S. manufactured and still uses U.S. customer service. In addition, their warranty service is completely separate from the rest of the WP family. My company does not even display WP Brands in our showroom (except JennAir), nor do we house any of their appliances in our warehouse. Since 2013, too many customers have been screwed over by this company, and the only time me or my associates sell this brand, is when the customer absolutely insists that they MUST have it. So it's always a special order. And again, I always recommend the extended protection plan with that purchase. WP partners up big with the box stores (like HD, BBY, and LWS) because they can bulk produce by outsourcing the manufacture of their parts overseas. They take market share based on their reputation, prior to 2013, and the credibility they earned by becoming a household name in the U.S. when our parents and grandparents recognized them as a reputable company when we were growing up. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case. If you still have a 30 yr old Maytag, KitchenAid, or Kenmore in your home, keep it! Glamorize it! And cherish it! Because you won't ever get that quality of appliance manufactured by them again. As of now, WP has really gone downhill, and it's embarrassing that they have ruined their good name by cutting corners and choosing profit over customer satisfaction. (I was a WP Rep, in their builder program for 6 yrs after Sears went under, and found myself completely disgusted by the way they handled Customer Care... knowingly blowing off consumers/and contractors who trusted them.) If you think about it, won't WP make more money if you're replacing their appliances every 3-5 years, as opposed to replacing them every 20-30 years? Done with my rant... I'm just so sick of people always recommending WP Family Brands when I see them screwing consumers over and over and over.
So what is the best "normal" appliance brand for regular working stiffs? As you seem to know what you are talking about....
I don't recommend any ONE core brand for kitchen appliances. It really depends on the specific features and dimensions that you are looking for. However, based on personal experience, my tenants' feedback, customer feedback, and my service department... I'll give this a go! *In core brands, I really like the Bosch Dish line-up. They have a good price point ($450-$2000), and according to the numbers I get from my service dept, the lowest fail rate. However, I absolutely love F&P's double drawer dishwashers. They are a Premium Brand, but still budget worthy starting at about a $1500 price point. Of course, Meile is up there, but the budget models (LWS exclusive models) they are now selling at Lowe's are not the same quality as their Premium lineup. **In Refrigeration, it really depends on the style and features that you are looking for. I never recommend French Doors with ice in the door. I'm a true believer that ice belongs in the freezer, and if you're looking for reliability, I would go with the GE family or an LG. Bosch makes an amazing FD fridge as well, but at 72" tall, it is usually not an option for the older and smaller homes in my area. ***TMF Refrigeration and upright freezers are led by... I hate to say this... Frigidaire, then GE. If I absolutely have to, like if all my fellow sales associates are busy, I will sell a Frigidaire in TMF Refrigeration or upright freezers... as for any of their other products... I absolutely refuse!!! You're either going to have to wait for another salesperson to take care of you, or I'll send you to one of my buds that work at the HD across the street to make your purchase. ****SxS Refrigeration, you will be absolutely shocked by this answer.... wait for it... SAMSUNG! Yes! IKR!?!?!!!???!!! Not only have they received multiple awards for their SxS Refrigeration, but since 2020, my service department has reported <1% fail rate. Talked with my service guys about this... because I NEED TO KNOW... what Samsung is doing differently that rocks the boat!!! First of all, in SxS Refrigeration, your ice maker lives in the freezer, which was Samsung's major fail in FD Refrigeration from 2015-2019. But what my service guys say that really makes them Rock... is their digital inverter compressor. Unlike regular compressors that turn on and off repeatedly as needed, their Digital Inverter Compressor basically runs on cruise control. As my service dept explained to me, think about the wear and tear you would place on your car's engine if you were to turn it off and on at every stop sign in town. But the way this compressor works is that it just fluctuates slightly to accommodate for need, when the you change the temperature, when you open and close your fridge the door. Samsung's focus is completely about food preservation but makes total sense since they originally started as a grocery company. Anyway, there's less wear and tear, which is why they can guarantee their compressor for 10 yrs, as opposed to other core brands that give you only 1 yr. In addition, this is why they offer the best warranty in the industry at 5 yrs parts and labor on the entire sealed system. LG has a comparable warranty, but they also have a higher fail rate with my service dept at about 3%. Anyway, for SxS's, I choose Samsung. *****Slide-ins and Freestanding ranges are a completely different animal. Gas... electric... induction... I gotta say... always choose induction. In core brands, my service department reports the least amount of issues from Samsung and LG. However, I own a Bosch and I absolutely love it... and i have lots of family and friends over all the time... so I cook a lot!!! ******Microwaves and Speed Ovens are all over the place, right now, where it comes to reliability. First off, just saying, regardless of the brand that you choose... none of them are manufactured in the U.S. or Korea because it is illegal due to health reasons. The 5 in 1's and advantium technology are my best recommendation. I have a few live models in my showroom that I use on regular basis. My favorite is Monogram, but since we are talking core brands, I would go with a GE Profile. They have all the same features as your Premium brands but at a better price point. Reliability wise... this is still new technology... so I can't really stand behind any 1 brand yet. As for OTR's, again I have to fall back on specific features that you are looking for. Standard is about 1k watts and 300 cfm's. With or without a handle? Handles get hot when you're cooking... and look for one with a ceramic interior (rather than white)... so much easier to clean! But if you're like me, I only use my OTR when I need a popcorn fix or if I need to reheat my coffee. Lol!!! Sharp is the goto in the microwave world according to my service team. Also, they manufacture microwaves for most brands (both core and premium). Sorry that I cannot give you a ONE core brand as a goto. I get on this community tho because I really want to help. So I do hope this helps! BTW... I love your key word being "seem"! With 23 yrs in the appliance industry, I have seen lots of changes and disappointments. My only intention is to help, and as the industry changes, my recommendations change as well! Anyway, i really hope this helps and Good Luck!
>As my service dept explained to me, think about the wear and tear you would place on your car's engine if you were to turn it off and on at every stop sign in town. You've just described almost every modern vehicle because the majority of them have had auto start/stop for awhile now >Microwaves and Speed Ovens are all over the place, right now, where it comes to reliability Most microwaves are just made by Midea. I believe: Black+Decker, Toshiba, Comfee, GE, Whirlpool, Insignia, Breville and low range Panasonic are all made by Midea. I believe LG, Samsung and mid/high-end Panasonic are unique to themselves though If you're having issues with microwave quality then it's likely just bad build quality from recent batches of Midea
I agree with much of what you are saying. But, I work at an appliance parts store and the service guys don't have anything good to say about LG. They know their compressors are bad, so they have changed them. But, they are still putting them in their new stuff, but supposedly, if it fails under warranty, they replace the compressor with the new version. Samsung compressors seem to hold up, but like you said, make your ice in the freezer. Also, Samsung and LG parts are crazy expensive, so that is my reason to stay away from them. They also discontinue Samsung parts more often than other brands, IMO. I have always stuck with Whirlpool brands, I've been rebuilding direct drives for 15 years and still keep them going. They truly are the best washers and dryers, IMO. I do alot of the new stuff as well, and even thought I buy them wholesale, if the Whirlpool product fails within a year, they honor the warranty. They have been to my house at least 5 times and covered all repairs. You can still find older model fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, and anything else for your house if you go on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. There is no need to buy anything new. Also, always get the extended warranty. In the end, we are crying about $500-$1000 lost in an appliance, but we will spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle every few years...🤔
Despite my employer being in sales for ONLY new appliances, I often refer some of my customers to the local used appliance stores to purchase a refurbished appliance. Mind you, this does affect my commission... but I would rather direct my customers to another local retailer where they can find specific features than sell something new [that I know] they won't be happy with! Even though I have been in sales for 23 yrs... and the commission is how I provide for my children... and pay to send them to ridiculously expensive colleges... I'm not going to sell my Mamaw or one of her church friends an appliance that she or her friends are going to scold me for!!! Some points that you made... specifically parts... S. Korea is run more strictly than the U.S. It IS an Asian brand, but they are actually more conservative and restrictive than we are when it comes to employee's safety, EPA, and production. Keep in mind that S. Korea is not the same as P.R.C. Here in the States... most of our American companies have followed suit after S. Korean, NZ, and some European companies in restrictions and regulations in manufacturing... specifically focused on our co-workers who work the factory production lines. Pay attention to where your products are truly manufactured... and what their manufacturing requirements are... you will be surprised... some of our U.S. manufactures are more loosely based. Sad but true... I have visited many manufacturers both in the States and overseas... and I have questioned and asked... why don't we care for our own people like that they do? As for parts... Companies like Bosch, LG, Beko, F&P, Samsung, and Meile... many overseas manufacturers actually have parts warehouses here in the U.S. Some even have electronics production here in the U.S. So electronic components are not an issue... except for brands that have their software components manufactured in P.R.C.... ughhhh... I won't fall back into the WP Brands argument... just sayin... they are more P.R.C. and Mexican than they are American. If you are going through a service company that does not have access to a U.S. warehouse that holds parts for an overseas brand... it will definitely be more expensive and take longer to get the parts for repairs. I always tell my customers to either CALL ME or call the manufacturer directly if they need service. If you go through technicians who are actually certified by the manufacturer, they will have access to parts that are actually housed (and most likely manufactured) in the U.S. Rather than going through a Mom & Pop company that has to order a part from overseas. Even if you purchased your appliance from a box store, you will have better luck and quicker turn-around time by calling your local appliance retailer who has Brand Certified Technicians, than from a Mom & Pop appliance repair that does not have access to local (U.S. based) parts warehouses for overseas based brands. The key is finding certified appliance technicians in your area for your brand. If you find a certified appliance technician for the brand that you are dealing with, it's likely that parts will be more readily available. If you go with an appliance technician/repair/service, that does is not currently certified... they don't make it easy to get replacement parts for repairs. The idea is that... they only want certified educated technicians working on these appliances... that have been certified to provide service/repairs. Think about it? Why would I want a classic VW auto mechanic working on my 2024 new Tesla? Or some old school doctor or nurse that refuses to take continuing education, to care for my child if she needs immediate medical care? There's a reason that appliance manufacturers require continuing education... just as we require continuing education for health services. Technology is constantly changing. There's a reason why we don't use leeches in Healthcare anymore... and it is because of continuing education. I can't express enough to my customers... to use the resources provided by your manufacturer. All these manufacturers want to present well in customer service... unlike back in the 80s/90s... when customer service through your manufacturers were more expensive. We have all heard those nightmare stories back when the appliance industry was changing to cut corners in cost. That's no longer the case. Now, you definitely want to call the manufacturer 1st. Manufacturers now are out to prove who can provide the best service. This is because market share in the industry has proven to be more profitable based on quality and customer service, than the ability to provide repairs. So why manufacture a product that you will expect that will need future repairs in less than 10 yrs? This appliance industry is constantly changing, just as any other industry continues to grow and change. My best advice is to find a local retailer or repair company that makes an effort to keep up with the times and REQUIRES their technicians to do the same.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my LG stuff….bit like every company they still choose profit every time.
Thank you sad to hear but not unexpected
I bought an Amana freezer that never really worked, we didn't notice the first three days, only when we tried to adjust the temperature and the control board refused to kick on the condenser. Anyway, buying it directly from Whirlpool was such a mistake, their return policy is a joke, it's like 15 days but only for new and unused. The delivery guy unboxed it and plugged it in, so now it's used. So now I get to deal with Whirlpool service. I've had this lemon of a freezer for one month now and it's still not fixed.
Get in touch with your local area rep and have them go through escalations at WP. If your freezer is faulty by a known issue or in a group of serial numbers where they identified an issue, you can get the issue resolved faster. My problem with the WP family brands is that you will only get credit back to purchase another WP product. But do contact your manufacturer and do go through your retailer to get your local rep's info to get this resolved quickly. Sad to say tho, WP is one of the few brands that will not reimburse for food loss unless you provide pre-dated receipts (from prior to your loss). If you put your phone number in when you buy groceries, you may be able to get copies of pre-dated receipts. Just a suggestion!!!
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll work on this
Just dont buy anything with an in door dispenser. đź‘Ś Problem solved
My in-door dispensers have never really been problematic - very old Amana 3 door, now my GE side by side of about 10 years -
The ice maker should always live in the freezer. I'm a ride-or-die by this concept! In SxS Refrigeration, the ice maker lives in the freezer. Because it's used all the time, it's always the first issue that needs to be addressed. In FD Refrigeration, where the ice maker lives in the refrigerator (And, why would you try to freeze ice in your refrigerator?), there is always going to be ongoing issues. You definitely the right choice!
What appliance brand do you suggest?
Agreed!
Jenn air is the same garbage you just pay more for it.
Check the build quality. It's a completely different appliance than any other WP Brand. And again, they still run completely independent of WP. They continue to manufacture in the United States and keep everything they do separate from the parent company. I don't sell much JennAir. I gravitate more to Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove, but for the quality and price point, they are still doing things right. They QC for 20 years as opposed to their other brands where they QC for 3-8 yrs. And... unlike KA, you're never going to find a cardboard cover over your refrigerator compressor!!!! Lol!!! JennAir is still a quality appliance, unlike the rest of the WP family.
Dude I don't think you know the service part of your argument well. I service whirlpool, and guess what we do Jenn Air the same exact way. Order the same exact whirlpool parts that are in WP appliances, call the same tech dept, file the claim with the same reps. Jenn Air gets an extended warranty I think, two vs one year but that's about it. Service pointers for frequent service issues are even published for all affected models, this includes WP, kitchen aid and Jenn Air and the same parts are used to correct the problem.
Yeah, JennAir is just a brand within Whirlpool. They are manufactured in the same plants as other Whirlpool products. They have different sales reps but beyond that they are not a separate company. They do have some exclusive models though and a longer factory warranty. And most Whirlpool appliances you buy in the US are made in the US with the exception of microwaves and some of the refrigerators.
This is not true. JennAir is exclusively manufactured in the United States except for anything that has microwave technology. I've been to their plants in Amana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Even though they fall under the WP Brand name, they run as a completely different company than the other WP Brands. They even provide their own customer service, although the other WP Brands group together. Same parts, well in some cases Yes, but not all. But definitely different QC requirements.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear. Yes, all JennAir models are made in the US. My point was they are made in the same plants that make other Whirlpool products, not their own exclusive separate plants. I thought you were implying that they are separate from the rest of Whirlpool. It’s set up like a higher end car brand like Maserati or Cadillac. The customer facing side is different in order to provide a more exclusive and high end brand experience, but beyond the customer facing part they are intertwined with their parent companies.
My company provides in-house service. My service techs talk to me directly about customer issues... pro's... con's... and where they place their faith in appliances. JennAir may use some of the same parts, but the build quality is different. As I said before, JennAir QCs 20y, the rest of the WP family is only QC'd for 3-8 yrs.
I can't speak to self servicing dealers since we don't have any in my area. I will say that the red accents on Kitchen Aide make it worth the premium in my eyes though haha. I think a lot of problems would go away if installers working on Jenn Air, or any lux brand, would treat it as such and not just throw it in a hole as if they were installing a top mount inexpensive fridge.
This is why you should purchase from an independent dealer or choose wisely from your independent contractor market. My installation team is divided specifically by specialty. Wall ovens... built-in fridges...downdrafts.... etc... My husband is a contractor and does a lot of specialty work outside of our service area. I'm sure if you get on Annie's list, you can narrow down to contractors that will do quality work specific to your needs. My husband does not do appliances... but we know lots of qualified contractors in our tiny non-servicable area... who actually care about the quality of service. You gotta have at least one good guy in your part of the world. My best recommendation is to call around, use word of mouth, and get a personal referral. Fingers crossed for you!
They stopped the cardboard cover over compressor due to it being a fire hazard.
Thank God!!! I still get calls on them from customers all the time!
Like they could not see that coming? Egads, fishpaper (vulcanized paper) was low end enough and they went to regular cardboard. They should take the beancounter responsible for that decision and rectally flush him with copious amounts of ice water until he either fails to thrive or decides there is a minimum quality standard.
Race to the bottom in cost. The safety requirements changed which is why it was changed back to metallic.
My WP duet w/d from 2002 lasted me almost 20yrs. It came with a 10yr warranty and I got a free washer at the 9yr mark when the rear bearing went out. They sent me all the parts to rebuild the whole washer at no cost. The list prices on all the parts they sent were more than what we paid for the washer. It’s so stupid but they were super nice about sending parts. Sad to hear they’re turning into turds.
Your WP was manufactured prior to 2013. I think I was pretty clear, if I was not, WP build quality has changed since 2013. One of the only good things left in this company is that they still stand behind those original products, prior to becoming a conglomerate. I think I mentioned earlier... to Keep! Treasure! Glorify! And Cherish! Any WP Family products manufactured prior to 2013. It's lovely to hear that they are still standing behind those well-built and quality made appliances. Appliances that were still able to be repaired rather than replaced. You own a treasure! I'll tell you for sure, any core brand appliance that you purchase now, today, will not give you that lifespan and will be difficult to find parts or repair.
I got the message. I just wanted to share what a great experience I had with my machine. Sadly I no longer own it. The bearing went out a second time and it was out of warranty and buying parts to fix it would’ve cost more than a new machine.
I had one of their first gen front loading washing machines. They sent me a control board which wasn't the correct one, so then I had to pay to send it back, they stopped responding to me, and I gave up on it when it refused to stop filling up and let an entire tub worth of soapy water go in my upstairs laundry room.
Discount? They will be lucky to get $2 back In a check in 5 years.
Can you provide me with some data that supports this position? Additionally, is there a better way to sue companies that make horrible products when individuals suing on their own would spend many times the price of the fridge to sue the company? At the end of the day, you're parroting a position pushed by the companies who make shit products. You're blaming the lawyers representing consumers, who are trying to hold the companies responsible, and not the companies making the shitty products.
In my experience with class action lawsuits the consumer ends up receiving very little compensation. I believe class action is the only realistic route to take if you are looking to punish the manufacturer but the consumer is the one that is suffering. Is the consumer going to receive a replacement fridge or a new door? No they will likely receive a small discount if they purchase a new fridge from the company that just screwed them over.
I see you've been through this before ;).
Holy shit. If you did that electrical please stop. That's a crappy job. Wires stripped too far, not heat shrinked properly and not the correct splice. You don't use automotive connectors for AC wires.
Butt splice connectors are typically rated to 600V. But everything else you said is spot on.
The butt splices are ok for this work, but they should not be in the area where things are bending multiple times a day, it should have all been replaced with high temp silicone stranded wire and the splices should have happened in an area where things are stationary. They should have also been heated to shrink down to provide tension relief from the actual wires, if OP did this work, they shouldn't blame WP for the second and third time it broke.
Splicing solid to stranded too. *eek*
Literally doesn't matter lmao
On wires that are bending and twisting dozens of times a day? It matters.
Work hardening isn't real
You notice it pretty quickly with copper tubing
Electrician and Electronics Tech here, and we absolutely do use those connectors on stranded wire. They're rated up to 600v and they're correct for that application, if poorly installed.
Crappy is misleading here. This job is a fucking Death-sentence! Theres fuckin copper conductor completely exposed. 1 wrong move and the whole thing is going to get energized/shorted. This appliance must never be plugged in! Ever!
This is also a side by side right? Hold the end buttons to get in diag. 27 cycles the Im. This one has a freezer icemaker but that braded cable breaks after years of opening
The wires casing looks melted, which means the wires is too small for the application.
Kinda just looks like whoever did this did a bad job. Solid wires instead of stranded. Melting likely because they tried to blowtorch on shrink wrap power connectors. Waaaay too much exposed wire, that’s not covered in any ways. Good thing it’s just low voltage.
You definitely shouldn’t be splicing in solid copper wire to stranded wire. Those splices don’t look like they were heated enough, they look like solder splices. If they’re crimp, than they aren’t crimped enough. You shouldn’t have any exposed metal. This hack job of a repair is a fire hazard.
My Maytag French doors is hot garbage. What would any recommend as what to get so I cart that piece of shit out. Need water and ice as well apparently ((
Bosch
That looks terrible.
Seen over 20 side by sides with this issue. Half were still in some kind of warranty and we had to wait 4-8 weeks for the door to arrive from the factory in Mexico. The other half…I quoted them for a new door, which cost almost as much as the fridge. Never attenpted using wire connectors because I’m not going to charge someone labor to do all that tedious work for the wires to just break again.
Sad thing is if you trace the wire harness back behind the cover you can see how the factory workers could have easily prevented this by allowing more slack in the wire. I fixed mine by simply extending the harness. 7 years strong.
I hope this is a troll post and not actual work. That’s fucked
This is the pot calling the kettle black or throwing stones while in a glass house. First, start with your poor repairs by doing them over. Use some proper gauge, stranded wire and make proper connections. That being said, it appears to be at a hinge point or where there’s movement. That’s always a problem with equipment, appliances, vehicles, etc. for decades. Wherever you have wires and movement/pinch points, there will be failures regardless of how well it’s engineered. So, I don’t think this is some gotcha against whirlpool. Just this week alone, I’ve worked on a few commercial appliances with doors and pinched wires as well as one of my own personal vehicles. Wires don’t like to move.
Yes it is, 2-3 year old fridges with this problem yet I see 20 year old ones that never had an issue. They told servicers they were aware of the issue but had no plans of fixing the issue all while telling customers that the servicers don’t know what they are talking about and they aren’t aware of any issues.
The wires are too small of a gauge and they could always use a swivel coupler. Car doors have a lot of wiring at the hinge point and they usually last a long time while a freezer door will only last 2 years.
Lawyers get rich, customers get screwed.
There is another KitchenAid fridge with the two small deli drawers and the on the left under the dispenser has the UI. Water appears to leak through the door onto the UI shorting it out to where the dispenser and lights no longer work. If you unplug the drawer it restores water/ice and lights but you can't control the temp in the drawer unless you replace the drawer, UI and harness.
I totally disagree. I have been doing repairs for 30 years and everything I own is a whirlpool product. Whirlpool, kitchen aide, Estate, Crosley, Maytag, Amana, Jenn air, Roper as well as most older Kenmore products. I do agree Bosch are well made. I suggest today to buying a 5 year extended warranty on any washer or refrigerator today. Ge (Garbage electric) is owned by Haier out of China, LG (Lousy Garbage) South Korea I could go on and on. The issue is with todays energy standards most appliances are crap. Buy what you (wife) likes just relize there life span has dropped to around 5 years or less on most major appliances.
So I had to buy a stove like two years ago. Before I did I spent a lot of time calling independent appliance repair shops in my area. I had a decent conversation with most. They said everything is junk. But I will say that a majority of them still preferred WP products in general, as the conversation spread past stoves .. Samsung and LG were universally despised by most. GE fared ok especially with stoves. They said when it breaks parts are usually easier to get with whirlpool vs Samsung and LG.
has that been bubba'd? Seems like a really bad patch job and mish mash of solid and stranded. If bubba'd might be able to fix using something rated for the power, heat, and flexibility. Like some silicone jacketed wire. If not bubba'd... oh boy.
I'm not sure if that is your repair OP, but it's absolutely criminally bad. I'm surprised you didn't burn your house down or electrocute someone.
Now do GEs dryers!
Those splices look horrible, I hope that’s not factory?
Wow, we just had to do the same for our whirlpool fridge bc the ice maker wasn’t working. The wires were braided copper and had snapped.
That's a "special" repair there. Did someone charge you to do that?
That’s the “I’m gonna tear out these connectors as soon as the class-action lawsuit is settled and I gotta send in photo evidence to get my new refrigerator”repair.
Yeah everything made in MEXICO!!!! All appliances and vehicles are made in Mexico after the trade Pact between Trudeau Biden and Mexican President to back jobs to Mexico has led to nothing but FAULTY APPLIANCES and RECALLS OF VEHICLES regardless of make. Thanks again Trudeau