Home Appliances - best thing to do?

[reedda]

Our dryer is about to die. Our washer died already, about two years ago I think. Since our dryer was still ok at that time, we just found a washer on craigslist for about $50.

I am generally of the opinion that if my goal is "cheap", find something cheap on Craigslist or wherever. Like what we did with the washer, because we weren't ready to buy a new washer/dryer set.

However, I also think that if I'm going to buy something new, I'm going to get what I want, with the features I want, that I believe will last, etc.

So...what do others do? How long should a nice washer/dryer set last? Should I do some research and get a nice new washer/dryer set that will last another 10 or however many years, or take our chances on a Craigslist dryer?

This last set lasted over 10 years before the washer died, the dryer is going on 13 years. I believe we paid around $600-$650 for the set??? I'm kind of guessing at the price.

[bUU]

We factor-in a significant cost for "annoyance from equipment failure", "risk of buying something from strangers", and "inconvenience from repair service/replacement installation". Consequently, we'll avoid the path you've taken in the past.

[phantom]

I'm a relatively new homeowner. I've only bought one washer and dryer set, and that was about 4 years ago when I bought my first house, which didn't come with a washer or dryer. So, please excuse my inexperience. But, I don't understand why you would want to buy a set. Do you want them to stack or fit them together in some way? If not, I'd replace the dryer now and wait till the washer breaks to replace it again. I figure the best way to get your money's worth out of an appliance is to avoid replacing it needlessly.

Unfortunately, I don't have a good answer to your question on whether to go new or used. I find it easier to shop new. There's more selection, and it should take longer for the appliance to die, forcing me to go shopping again. But, that doesn't mean you couldn't get a better deal if you happen to find the right used appliance.

[disneysteve]

This is an area where I don't buy used. These are items with a limited lifespan. Plus you need to factor in the energy efficiency issue. Buying something that is several years old might save you money up front but cost you more to operate. I'd rather buy something new and efficient that costs more to purchase but costs a lot less to use.

[elessar78]

We've purchased our washer and dryer off craigslist and have been pretty happy. People are always trying to unload (no pun intended) relatively new appliances for one reason or another. We paid $120 for one that cost $500 and was pretty happy with it.

I've found it hard to justify spending close to a thousand bucks for a washer/dryer when we can get it for a fraction and our clothes are just as clean.

[disneysteve]

I've found it hard to justify spending close to a thousand bucks for a washer/dryer when we can get it for a fraction and our clothes are just as clean.

I agree completely with this. I think what people spend on high end new appliances is nuts. You generally aren't buying better results, just bells and whistles and fashion. Our washer and dryer are in our basement. Nobody sees them but us. We've bought a couple at the Sears Outlet. I don't care if they match. I don't care if they have a couple of scratches or dents. As long as they work fine.

[bUU]

That's one of the reasons why reliable review services, that do a good job evaluating durability and reliability, are so critical. So often manufacturers try to compete on appearances and packaging. I'll definitely be willing to pay a lot extra for a more dependable and reliable device.

[disneysteve]

So often manufacturers try to compete on appearances and packaging.

And features. When we bought our last dryer, I made sure to look at specs when I was comparing models. Often, a manufacturer had 2 or 3 nearly identical models that differed only in features - like 6 cycle settings instead of 3 - but the insides of the machine were identical. Same motor. Same drum. We didn't need to pay hundreds extra for a bunch of bells and whistles that we'd never use anyway so we went with the cheaper model and saved a bundle.

[elessar78]

And features. When we bought our last dryer, I made sure to look at specs when I was comparing models. Often, a manufacturer had 2 or 3 nearly identical models that differed only in features - like 6 cycle settings instead of 3 - but the insides of the machine were identical. Same motor. Same drum. We didn't need to pay hundreds extra for a bunch of bells and whistles that we'd never use anyway so we went with the cheaper model and saved a bundle.

We just did this on a much smaller scale: a coffee maker. Wife wanted to buy one with a timed and automatic settings for $30 and I showed her that all we actually do is put coffee in a filter, add water, and flip a switch. And we've been more than content. We didn't need bells and whistles.

An argument can be made for energy savings, as the newer models at least claim to be more energy efficient BUT it'll take a lot of years to recoup just the initial investment to even get TO the saving part if you buy new.

Fridges seem to organize space and function better these days. Our house came with a gas range with an upper and lower oven—which is fantastically useful (never thought I would need it).

[bUU]

I think there are extremes on both sides: There are as many people who refuse to acknowledge the value of features that actually do have enough value to warrant the added cost as their people who insist on seeing value in features that don't really have enough value to warrant the added cost.

[disneysteve]

I think there are extremes on both sides: There are as many people who refuse to acknowledge the value of features that actually do have enough value to warrant the added cost as their people who insist on seeing value in features that don't really have enough value to warrant the added cost.

That's true to a point. With a clothes dryer, we basically need a high setting and a low setting and the ability to set how long it should run. That's about it. So when I see a dryer with 8 cycles and 5 modes and variable this and that, I keep looking. I hate when they load up a very simple device with more computing power than it took to get to the moon.

[Baby_nurse]

A friend of mine works in the appliance business. She told me at the newer machines have an expected life time of about 10 years. Ouch. I like bells and whistles as much as the next person. But I've come to realize its just one more thing to break. I think you need to figure out just how often you would use these aded features- not how much you think you would like to. For instance, something like the steam cycle dryers- are you taking clothes to a dry cleaner to get them touched up because you don't have a feature like this? If so, it might be worth considering , if not you can probably pass on that feature.

[elessar78]

Useful tip with dryers:

Throw in a dry bath towel with the wet clothes. In some instances it's reduced drying time by as much as twenty minutes for us!

[bUU]

That's true to a point. With a clothes dryer, we basically need a high setting and a low setting and the ability to set how long it should run. That's about it. So when I see a dryer with 8 cycles and 5 modes and variable this and that, I keep looking. I hate when they load up a very simple device with more computing power than it took to get to the moon.

Perhaps, but it is worth the extra $35 for the sweater drying attachment (just as a for-instance).

[mans442]

My old dryer died in 2008, so I went to Craigslist for used one. I found a older Maytag in great shape for $95.00. 5 years later, we are still using it and it performs well. The roller bearings are worn and need to be replaced, as indicated by its loud screeching from time to time. I figure about $30 in parts and about an hour or so to put them in myself.

There was a risk, it could have died in a week. For $100, I was willing to take the risk (in comparsion to $759 for a brand new one in 2008 dollars).