http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:25:55 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-776322 I bought an Elite washer and dryer back in 2001..when the touch controls first came out. I started having trouble with wash cycle not starting very early on (18 mo) but if you shut it down it would start next time. Now it works about half the time..the rest of the time, I use the diagnostics program to get it to agitate..Very disappointed as I love the features. Pondered replacing motherboard ourselves, but due to repairman saying usually motor would burn up shortly anyway, we have not. One thing I think contributed to this problem is power surges and brownouts--we are in rural area and had low power periods daily--especially when local factories would start up. We had to replace many things that had a circuitboard in them, like TV, microwave, computer, 3 phone systems--in a few year period. Got to be any time there was a thunderstorm the electric would go on and off quickly, and I would just get the keys to go buy a new phone system! An IS person at work told me I should put a surge protector--at least one!--on anything with a computer circuit, to protect it. I have done that, using the small ones for radios, etc, and it has helped. Unfortunately, I didn't think about the washer and dryer! But it was too late for them anyway by the time I found out. I think with all the info coming out now about things made in China--food etc--we need to look hard at buying items that we know were manufactured properly. My daughter was engaged to a young man from mainland China for a year, his parents came here to exchange gifts, as is their custom..it was ironic that when I shopped for their gift--everything I looked at as representative of our culture--was made in CHina! Once I started looking, it was shocking..just how much industry and jobs have gone somewhere else. And we don't care because the item is $5 or $10 cheaper than it was 20 years ago. As long as I am on my soapbox..as an economics major long ago, one of the foundation theories was allocation of scarce resources..we cannot continue to buy appliances of metal and plastic and hazmat materials, and toss them out after a year or two because they no longer work. Likewise, I should not have to get rid of my 6 year old Cadillac (which I also love) with only 115000 mi because the repair bills are breaking me! (plus the fact that it has depreciated to a value of only $9900 from the original $42000, my husband hates it but I like to buy American and I love a cushy car as we travel a lot). It is time that America returned to quality, not quantity. The natural resources are simply not going to be available for us to continue to use the majority of the worlds raw materials and then just throw them away. As we are a market economy, we vote by where we spend our money..we have had a great ride, but it is time to protect the future of the world..we cannot have it all indefinitely. 776322@blogcritics.org Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:25:55 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-774022 Wow, after 34 years our Kenmore top loading washer died. Kenmore=Whirlpool on some models, or Frigidaire on others, then they tell me Whirlpool is owned by Maytag. Maybe I'll get washboard and a bucket. So I'm looking at a Bosch, solid German-made for 50 years? Similar prices and a better warranty....if I can believe anyone? K 774022@blogcritics.org Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:32:20 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-773730 I bought 5 new Kenmore products in June of 2005. Washer, dryer, fridg, microwave and dishwasher. Before the warranty was up, I had to have work done on 4 of them and now my dryer has went for the second time!!! I have always bought Kenmore products because they last forever but fixing 4 out of 5 and they are only 3yrs old is making me nuts. Yes, I was offered the extended warranty/master protection plan but it is very expensive and I have never had this much trouble before and never twice on the same item. I am wondering if Sear/Kenmore is making new items that are not as good just to get you frustrated enough to buy all the extra warranty crap. There are products bought in the 70's that are still in working order. I expect to get a lemon now and then but really, 4 out of 5 all bought at the same time?????? Probably won't buy anymore Kenmore products! 773730@blogcritics.org Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:07:28 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-770566 The Kenmore Elite He3 and He4 have numerous design flaws. There are even a few class action lawsuits occuring. KNOWN issues should be warranted, period. (Hence the class action lawsuits) We did not design the circuit boards with cheap non-humidity proof switches. Didn't Sears/Whirlpool know that it gets damp near washers and dryers? Try this fix, it works for me each time I need to run a load. 770566@blogcritics.org Thu, 6 Nov 2008 15:01:46 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-768822 Wow...should I sell my Kenmore Elite dryer before it starts freaking out on me? I just bought it used and got it for a real good deal...no wonder! 768822@blogcritics.org Tue, 4 Nov 2008 19:06:55 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-767996 Wow. The comments on here are funny. I buy ALL Sears appliances. I had a refrigerator that I had for nearly 10 years and I bought the house with it, so it was way over 10 years old. I had to just give it away because it still worked after many years and no repairs. I bought the bottom drawer refrig to replace that, about $800, the low-end washer $200, and the HE washer $700.00 all around the same time. I am very happy with my choices. And why I am surprised at these comments is that Sears is a phantom in that they don't make this stuff. My washer is made by Whirlpool or somebody else. I saw the exact same one in a store but with a different name and $100 more. That's why I'm surprised. It's who made it not where you bought it. Heloise 767996@blogcritics.org Mon, 3 Nov 2008 22:03:48 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-767406 Seems like most all the problems concentrate around early 2006 - that's when I remodeled & wanted top of the line appliances (hopefully to last for my duration). I'd owned Kenmore appliances for 50 years & my parents before me & swore by our choice. I purchased the Kenmore Elite HE Oasis (special ordered black). That was April, the 1st service call was 12/28/06 & there have been about 4 since, & I'm expecting another tomorrow. One of the major problems - couldn't shut the d... thing off, had to flip the breaker, then there were all kinds of wierd codes - demonic machine had a mind of it's own. What a disappointed this store has become. 767406@blogcritics.org Mon, 3 Nov 2008 03:46:27 EST /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-764342 I bought my oasis set in may of 2006. Tech was at my house 6 times in the year or manuf. warrenty. You should not have that many problems with a new appliance in the first year. The tech that came out usually the same one said that It's a new model and the techs did not know how to fix them. They were resorting to the books that come with the machine. Ok, that was 06 I had problems off and on in 07 and now in 08 just a few months ago my machine has a mind of it's own. I turn it on and it has to finish calibrating before it will let me select anything. It also beeps non stop. Once load is done I have to immediatly remove my load other wise it starts spitting water back into the machine. not to mention it still beeps the whole time. I have to unplug it from the wall when not in use because it will come on by itself in the middle of the snd beep and start spurting water. It's a horrible machine I did not purchase extended warrenty either because I did surf the net to see if there were any complaints and looked at consumer reports. It was to new of a machine for people to start realizing the magnitude of problems this machine was going to have. My dryer no flashes F45 and stops running. I too had a Ge for about 15 years and NEVER had a problem. I think I'll just buy a new set and it will not be Kenmore and won't be from Sears.... 764342@blogcritics.org Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:54:58 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-761518 To all of you who have complained about the Sears Oasis line of washers and dryers - I am right there with you. But I must urge you to contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 and file a complaint. If enough people file complaints about this product, then they will launch an investigation. I have both the washer and dryer. I purchased them in March of 2006. I did not purchase a extended warranty. I started having problems very early on, but then in February of '07, the motherboard on the dryer went out. Took them 3 months to fix! Now, the power supply mother board on the washer has gone out! I refuse to wait that long to get it fixed and I called every number I could find for Sears to complain. I am getting action, but still have dirty wet clothes locked in my washer! Please don't just complain on websites like this, but take action! The FTC personnel were very nice and actually urged me to get online on these type of complaint websites to encourage others who are unhappy with these poorly built, poorly tested appliances that cost us all an arm and a leg and now don't work as promised to do something about it! 761518@blogcritics.org Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:42:10 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-753641 I PURCHASED MY SET MAY 24, 2006. I HAVE HAD REPAIRMEN OUT HERE TWICE. YES, THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE WASHER. THIS LAST TIME, IT WAS FLASHING A CODE THAT TOLD THE REPAIRMAN "SLOW DRAIN" ??? TROUBLE IS, I UNPLUGGED IT, WAITED FOR THE REPAIRMAN. HE DIDN'T SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, AS PROMISED. WE THEN WENT ON VACATION, RETURNED ON SEPTEMBER 20TH. THE WASHER HAS BEEN UNPLUGGED THAT WHOLE TIME. WHEN THE REPAIRMAN SHOWED UP, IT WORKED FINE!!! HE EXPLAINED THAT WHATEVER WAS CAUSING IT TO DRAIN SLOWLY, "PAPER OR SOMETHING", COULD HAVE DISSOLVED IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND NOW IT WORKS FINE!! THAT WAS FRIDAY, 9/26/08. HE LEAVES, MY DAUGHTER COMES HOME FROM COLLEGE, WITH HER 8 LOADS OF LAUNDRY!! WASHER WASHED ONE LOAD, AND QUIT. ONLY BUTTONS THAT WORKED WAS POWER AND OFF!!! I UNPLUGGED IT, AND CALLED THE 1-800 #. THEY ONLY COME TO MY AREA ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY!!! ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, REPAIRMAN SHOWS UP, CAN'T FINE THE STICKER THAT HAS THE MODEL NUMBER SO HE REFUSES TO WORK ON IT, NOT ONLY THAT HE CALLED WHOEVER, AND THEN COMES TO TELL ME THAT THEY ARE GOING TO "REFUND MY MONEY". I SAID, WHO IS GOING TO REFUND MY MONEY?? HE SAYS "FOR THE MASTER PROTECTION PLAN", WE CAN'T WORK ON ANY MACHINE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A MODEL NUMBER!!! I HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPTS, ALL PAPERWORK, SHOWING MODEL NUMBERS FOR BOTH WASHER AND DRYER, BOTH BOUGHT ON THE SAME DAY. DOESN'T MATTER!!! I WENT TO LOCAL STORE WHERE I BOUGHT IT, TOLD THEM MY PROBLEM. HE SHOWED ME THE STICKER WHERE THE MODEL NUMBER IS. A STICKER ON THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE, RIGHT UNDER THE LID! WHERE IT DOES GET WET????? YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE STICKY STUFF, WHERE THE STICKER USED TO BE!!! SERIOUSLY, WHO PUTS A STICKER ON THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE WITH THE MODEL NUMBER!!?? I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME METAL PLATE OR SOMETHING! I BEGGED, ISN'T IT ANYWHERE ELSE??? BECAUSE A STICKER CAME OFF, THEY WON'T FIX MY WASHER????? I DID PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.....5 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY!!! NOW, THEY WON'T FIX IT, AND ARE GOING TO REFUND MY MONEY I PAID FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY?? I WANT MY WASHER FIXED!!!! HELP!!! I DID ALL THE "RIGHT" THINGS. BOUGHT "TOP OF THE LINE", "KENMORE ELITE", OASIS HE, CANYON CAPACITY. QUIETPAK 9!!!! BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY....5 YEAR COVERAGE? REMEMBER, I BOUGHT THIS MAY 24, 2006. NOW, A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS LATER, THEY WON'T FIX IT, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A MODEL NUMBER OR SERIAL NUMBER....STICKER!!!! I TOO USE MY MACHINES!! I HAVE 7 KIDDOS STILL AT HOME, ONE THAT COMES HOME FROM COLLEGE AND BRINGS HER LAUNDRY. I LIVE ON A FARM. YES, I USE MINE, THUS THE REASON I BOUGHT THE BIGGEST ONE THEY HAD!! AND YES, I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT SEARS!! I JUST WANT THEM TO FIX MY MACHINES......... 753641@blogcritics.org Thu, 2 Oct 2008 09:57:31 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-753185 Our Kenmore FE Loader worked for about 6 months, and now we are in the same boat. The ring in the front loosens over time and leaks into our basement. We have had 4 technicians "fix" this issue only to have it leak again with a week. We actually had a technician document that the product is faulty and the washer needs to be replaced. Sears over-ruled his recommendation and requested that we have yet another tech come out and examine the issue. He "fixed" it today and then told us about how we don't know how to do laundry. We purchased all of the extended plans etc. and still Sears refuses to accept that it is broken. In fact their "lemon law" department told us the front door is not a functioning part of the washer and does not qualify as a defect requiring replacement of the machine. Can someone explain how to me how to run a front-end loader without a front end? We are now seeking legal advice. I will update this log if I get any promising news. 753185@blogcritics.org Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:26:02 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-752636 we have now been without a washer for over 3 month!! Thank god the repair man that we are using has loaned us a washer. Although it is a basic model which runs hot water at least i can wash towels and sheets and some other necessities..but as far as some of my good clothes that cant be washed in hot not only do we have to find a washateria but we also have that expense .....we have been put off 3 times on this mother board saying that it has been back ordered and then we were told there was a strike at the plant that makes it and now we have been told that it might be recalled... we bought several appliances from sears when we remodeled our house, and three of them have already had to be repaired.. unfortunately the repairmen have to catch the flack.... why doesnt sears take responsibility for their product. they sure didnt mind taking our money!!!!!! 752636@blogcritics.org Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:05:48 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-749793 Bought the Sears Kenmore Elite HE5 steam washer and dryer set in twilight blue... on August 14th, 2008. Worked beautifully for the first 3 weeks. THEN, the dryer started making a terrible noise on every turn of the drum. And within that same week, the washer started leaking onto the floor. After reading all of the negative reviews, I told them I just wanted my money back. The Sears One Source 800 # said I could do that by paying a restocking fee of 15% or else let the technician come out since it was still under a 90 day satisfaction guarantee and 1 year warranty. Technician was supposed to show up today between 8a.m. and 12 noon. Never showed, never called. I had to call at 12:30 and they said the technician would call me right back to give an estimated time of arrival. Never called. I called again at 1:15p.m. and told them I wanted to get rid of the set and that I did not want to pay any restocking fee. They took my credit card # and information and supposedly will be calling me within 24 hours to arrange to remove the washer and dryer. Supposedly I won't have to pay any restocking fee. Alleluia. I'm going to look into a traditional top loader that my husband is able to fix should anything go wrong. Hopefully they still make this in a non-computerized style somewhere. If not, I will research foreign made and I will only go with word of mouth reviews from people I know who are satisfied with the product they bought. No more consumer report lies for me. 749793@blogcritics.org Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:58:20 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-749476 I also did my research, but here's the problem: You are buying a new product, and the research is based on what the tests for this new product goes through; however, those testing don't have access to the product for years; typically only months. So if you were going to buy the HE3 now, you'd find all these issues and use that to make your buying decision. Back when these first came out, you didn't have that as an option. My friendly Sears technician (# 3 in as many weeks) just fixed my problem, and kindly started a load for me without being asked. I purchased a 3 year warranty; however, I'm in my 4th year and that's when the F11 started flashing. One tech said it was the central control board; another said it was the motor control board. #2 ordered the Motor board; #3 thought it was the central, but installed the Motor board because he didn't have the central in his truck. He then got this washer to work. But, he suggested I order a minimum 1 year, in case F11 started flashing and it turned out to be both the motor and central. So I just signed up for a 2 year MA contract. He also told me that since I'd been using full strength detergent (though a smaller amount) that it could impact the bearings ... they typically have to replace those at a large cost. Now, I'm prepared for the F11, and the bearings to break!! I HATE to pay for add'l warranty because it screams 'defective warning' to me, and I expect better products out of Sears; now I know better! 749476@blogcritics.org Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:02:57 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-748654 Alexandria (and other above): An inside tip. If you are not getting satisfaction from the service department, take your case to the store manager. If you don't get relief there, call Sears Corporate in Schaumburg, IL. You won't believe how fast the phone will ring back to the store manager. I also have the Kenmore Elite. I haven't had problems with its operation, but we bought ours about five years ago. My problem was getting the pedestals delivered without dings. I had four delivered at various times, all dented from the box. The fourth time the delivery dispatch called to tell me the fifth one was going to be the last one, dinged or not. I called the store manager and politely told him in no uncertain terms would I accept a dented pedestal. Fifth time was a charm. 748654@blogcritics.org Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:05:17 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-748624 We purchased a full line of appliances from Sears just a few years ago and, much to my annoyance, after about 13 months, I attempted to clean my self-cleaning oven and received an error code. As it was past the warranty (despite the fact that I rarely cook and only actually used the self-clean feature twice) I thought I would let it go as I wasn't going to pay to have that particular non-essential feature serviced. Now, starting last week, my Kenmore front loading washer has decided to breakdance across the floor whenever it's used. Upon researching the issue, I find that the bearings tend to go on these units with some regularity, costing more than the price of the washer to repair. As they are both less than 5 years old, it is reasonable to expect that they would still be functional and usable. An issue such as a bearing going on a washer, a crucial part, should be covered for the better part of the advertised life of the product. Not a mere fraction of it. I will be purchasing a new washer as opposed to having this one repaired. My apologies to the environment as it will be a cheaper top loader that I will consider disposable if after a few years it decides to self destruct. This has been a lesson learned regarding both high end appliance purchases and Sears as well as I cannot believe that anyone feels Sears is in any way justified regardless of what they offer you in terms of extended warranties etc. Their cavalier attitude will likely result in their demise as a respected, reputable company. Purchasing high end appliances should not be comparable to a day at the casino. Will I get lucky?!? 748624@blogcritics.org Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:24:44 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-748140 Just an update on my Kenmore Elite products from the post above. Well we ended up buying the service plans on all of them and are putting them up for sale locally. I had to chuckle when Sears called and wanted me to pay 3 yrs in advance for service plans on all of the products. We said no thanks and told them we are selling these next year when the service plan is close to being up. We just put in another service call for the dishwasher (3 times now) and also for the 3'rd time on the refrigerator. Plastic door latches and plastic shelves the crack and break if something falls out of the refridgerator does not seem like a good idea especially if it is cheap plastic. Not to mention the buttons to open up the meat and fruit tray will not come out now. The service guy was out here last week to fix the microwave because it did not heat. I feel sorry for Sears because the cost of the repair guy driving 120 miles round trip has to cost not to mention his time. And this is good buisness in Sears eye...... Again folks keep it simple and stupid, buy cheap ones that you throw out and replace forget this "high tech" crap from China. 748140@blogcritics.org Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:30:02 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-747875 The amazing thing is that nothing goes wrong until just after the manufacturer's warranty expires. These are typical crap american products. Over-engineered and under-warrantied. Poor to non-existent documentation, indecipherable error conditions. No available customer support, but to schedule a local fix-it guy to come and kick the tires. Ridiculous. Just a scheme to sell you the "protection" policy for a product they know is sub-standard. I, too, had a whirlpool generic w/d combo that was 25 years old. 25 years! These POS lasted 15 months. Never Sears, never again. They are all that is wrong with American products. I'd rather pay a 2x premium (never mind what the exchange is going to rake us for) to buy something from a Bosch, or Miehle, or something that is going to either last or have a real manufacturer to stand behind. I cannot say this often or clearly enough: DO NOT BUY THE KENMORE ELITE ANYTHING. 747875@blogcritics.org Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:36:00 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-739118 I to will never buy another sears product. I have the Kenmore Elite washer and dryer. The handle on the dryer has broken off twice - a terrible design!!! The washer has been called for service 3 times in 8 months. Error code, beeping, stopping in the middle of the cycle - all the same problems everybody else reports. My last not very fancy washer and dryer without a computer on it lasted 15 years with out a service call. This thing is a hunk of junk and I also refuse to buy the service plan. I've never boughgt a service plan on anything before and never looked back. This time, I'm not so sure. The waiting for repair person is a joke also. I was told they would be out between 8-12 3 days prior to my appointment and then the night before they called and said sorry it would be between 11-3. That is ridiculous - can't wait around forever for somebody to come and fix my washer every month. 739118@blogcritics.org Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:54:11 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-738042 WOW! I am so sorry for you but quite happy its not only me......... I am so disgusted with Sears. We too have the Kenmore Elite Oasis, dream washer/dryer but we paid full price. They stink and are only 16 months old! The washer constantly refuses to spin, if you notice is does not have a spin only cycle either, so once restarted you need to waste water in order to spin your clothes. When It goes into a spin cycle is bounces around my basement and then goes in to a UL code and the lid unlocks itself. Three weeks ago, just past the MR expiration it flooded half our basement! The water was almost covering the base of my brand new eliptical! When we called Sears to complain they told us our warranty expired but for the LOW cost of $227.56 we can have a new warranty and they can send someone to our home for repair in TWO weeks. Lucky us, we were off to our local laundromat a place I used to frequent BEFORE I spent $2,000 on a high-end washer/dryer. Today was our big day... the tech was to come to our home between 8-12, my husband took a vacation day from work. At 9:12 when the repair man called our home it was the one minute my husband in the loo. No phone number was left, just a message Hi this is sears sorry you were not home. At 9:20 a representative called our home to reschedule our appointment. Needless to say I was irate and spent the day on the phone with Sears Repair. Now we are rescheduled for Saturday, after I refused to relent and let poor "Bob" off the phone. I am happy to read all of these blogs so I can be prepared to go back to the laundromat this weekend too! Please respond we are very willing to go for a class action suit. This is a very inferior product! Not only did we drop the inital money we have had to spend money at the laundromat, on a wet vac to clear out the 4 inches of water in our basement and replace our wrkout mats and equipemnt. UGH! 738042@blogcritics.org Thu, 7 Aug 2008 20:36:22 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-735474 Oh Marie, I'm glad you have your sense of humor. But you'll never be bored at Sears, you'll be bored at home waiting for the technician..... 735474@blogcritics.org Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:20:16 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-735439 Well just a quick update..... Technician showed up yesterday to install the "upgraded" control panel to my washing machine. I should have known something was up when he looked doubtful as soon as he took one look at the machine. He put it in and it seemed to fix the problem *no more beeping and random cycling*. Then he turned to me and said that it sounds like the bearing on the drum is getting ready to go. I said "It's sounded like that since the day I bought it". Then he asked me if I had the service agreement and when I said I didn't I might as well have said I had 6 weeks to live. Anyways 30 minutes after he left the machine started beeping again and throwing random error codes up like they were popcorn. Needless to say I caved this morning and called up and ordered the master plan at 129$ for the full year. The only consolation I have is that they are going to get sick of coming to my house because if this machine so much as smells funny Im calling. Which reminds me....I have to call monday and set up a time for them to come out since it just came on by itself again even with the lid wide open and no clothes in it...can anybody say exorcist. Like so many others have said DON"T BUY KENMORE PRODUCTS!!! I've already told all my family and friends and I'm thinking of having a t-shirt made that says it just so I can walk around sears during days I'm bored. 735439@blogcritics.org Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:50:32 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-733703 Well, We spent well of 5K on all new appliances to include refridge, wash, dry, stove, microwave and all of them but the stove and dryer have had something gone wrong with them. This was the Kenmore Elilite series product line. Microwave light bulbs 22.50 a pop, Washer circuit board $454 and now the Microwave wont heat and the plastic latch on the fridge broke and the list goes on. Like so many other customers we expected to buy quality products that last more then 5 yrs before breaking but instead we get something that only last only 15 months and breaks. And all of the Manufactures and Dealers want to do is have you pay for the Extended Warranties and "Master Protection Plan" on top of the profit margin for the products themselves. Parts are being sold to customers 2 to 3 times what they cost and of course the fees that technician charges for the initial visit plus each appliance he looks at. The bottom line is that manufactures do not make products like they used to do. So it is unrealistic to think most anything you buy today will last 5 yrs. So dont buy the TOP brand models and KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. To the guy that is a dealer here, if you tell your customers that the Kenmoore Elites series products WILL break in less then 24 months and they need to buy the Master Plan or look at something else then I can respect that. But,if you casually mention it during the sales deal and act like its no big deal then that rates up there with a used car salesman. All of us hate buying junk, but it is what it is. Our intent is to sell all of these appliances before the end of the extended warranty that I did purchase and go with something simple. As far as Kenmoore Elite is concerned. DONT BUY 733703@blogcritics.org Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:30:18 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-731746 It's sad when you have to feel relieved each and every time the machines function as they should. I hold my breath with every load. I am still surprised at the people who write in that it's our tough luck. Sears has generated a lot of negativity with products they won't stand behind. I'm sorry for everyone who has bought these machines. 731746@blogcritics.org Wed, 9 Jul 2008 12:09:35 EDT /archives/2008/03/10/135229.php#comment-731738 I don't care what anybody says, I completely agree with alexandria. I too bought a Kenmore Elite Oasis 14 months ago and just last night during dinner it came on by itself. Now its cycling randomly through the spin speed cycle and beeping none stop. I payed 900$ for this machine because it could do alot of laundry and I have a husband and 6 children whose laundry I have to do several times a week. I also did my research and thought it to be a good product. My previous washer last 16 years and I payed 250$ for it...never had a single problem. I just thank God I didn't buy the dryer which I was thinking of doing this year. Anyways I called got the run around....70$ for a tech to come out blah blah. Then after doing some research read about the recalled control board and called them again. When I brought it up they admitted to it and now they are sending someone out in two weeks to replace it. If this machine has more issues I will personally see it to the dump and head out to buy a regular old 350$ washing machine at leats it will do the job the Oasis isn't doing right now. 731738@blogcritics.org Wed, 9 Jul 2008 11:51:18 EDT