The Economy and Durable Goods – My Washer is Broken
Posted by madjillmom on September 9, 2012
Durable goods ain’t so durable.
I have been thinking about my appliances. They just aren’t lasting as long as they should. My 6 1/2-year-old GE Front Load Washer (abt $1100) is done for. I had to call a repairman in to tell me it would cost $600 to $700 to have it fixed. So, goodbye not so old washer, hello new washer. My very expensive front load European washer from before ($1600) lasted about 7 years with one repair. I recently spent $500 fixing the ice maker on my 7-year-old refrigerator. My fancy stove needed major repair at about 7 years.
I bought the front load washer because I want to be kind to the planet. I want to save water and energy. Now, I have two major appliances, heavy with steel and metal, soon to be rusting away in some dump somewhere. So much for saving the planet.
It just seems that we spend a lot for appliances, and don’t really get great life from them. My broken washer washed for four people the first two years, then mostly only two people for the last 4 1/2 years since my kids were away most of the time in school. That’s not a lot of hard service. The new washer comes Tuesday. It will only be working for the two of us. I hope they last a lot longer than the last two.
Mama Bin Cranky 
Kay Taylor said
I hate to tell you this, the Maytag you gave us is still washing and I can’t think of any repairs made. Didn’t this machine wash clothes for you, Mike, Jordan, Warren and Clayton? It is now just down to 2 people to work for but has worked for as many as six. We have had the machine for 13 years, now I have jinxed the whole deal. I guess I don’t mind screwing the planet out of some water if I can save it from rust. We never have new except for the refrigerator and it is a mess. Oh, thanks again for the washer and dryer.
madjillmom said
They Maytag did have one repair before it went to y’all. You are welcome.