Speed Queen Washers

Winchester

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When our old washer bit the dust, @blueyedgirl5946  mentioned that she had purchased a Speed Queen and she was so happy with hers. And yeah, you can count us in among Speed Queen fans. It's an awesome washer. When our washer died, we bought a Speed Queen. I think it's a great washing machine. It has cut down on drying time quite a bit overall. 

Anyway, here's an interesting article on the Speed Queen "cult". Evidently, we're not the only ones who are Speed Queen fans!

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...-following/ar-AAnJ5nQ?li=BBnb7Kz&OCID=DELLDHP

It's probably the best washer we've ever owned. 
 I know from time to time, posters mention that they're looking for a new washer and thought I'd post this.
 
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MoochNNoodles

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If I could have; I'd have gotten one when our last washer died a couple years ago. They seem like they are everything I want and nothing I don't.  The longevity factor is a big deal for me too.  
 

Primula

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Pam, very interesting. My Kenmore washer & drier are both 16 years old so I'm not in the market for a new one. Great that it's American-made. It looks sort of old-fashioned too. I would not like a front loader since I like to add things I've forgotten and also lift the lid to see if there's enough soap.

Do you guys like a top or front loader?
 

MoochNNoodles

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I had a front loader but I was VERY happy to go back to a top loader with a traditional agitator.  My front loader didn't have any kind of "soak" cycle.  It didn't clean as well and I had to "wash" the machine to keep it from smelling.  When it died; I couldn't drain the thing and I forgot to warn the delivery guys and I had a mess to clean while they went to get the new one from the truck.

I really just wanted a simple machine like this Speed Queen; but most of the big companies just don't make them anymore. They tried to reinvent the wheel I guess you could say.  The one I ended up with is decent but it still has all the electronic controls and what not. And if I want to add something I have to pause it and wait literally a minute before it will unlock so I can toss it in.  I always used to start the water and use that to dilute the fabric softener.  I can't do that anymore because it locks for a "sensing" cycle so it can decide how much water to add.  It's just annoying when I'm trying to do 16 things at once around here and laundry becomes more complicated and time consuming than necessary.  That's why I agree that getting a washer like the Speed Queen can be worth the price.  
 
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Winchester

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Our old washer was over 20 years old when it died. The tub had rusted out and it was leaking. The Speed Queens are said to live forever (25 years is forever in this age of disposables); I guess we'll find out. I really liked that it was made in the US and it was actually metal, not full of plastics. It has an agitator and, from what I've read, an agitator does help with cleaning the clothes better.

I prefer a top loader, probably because that's what I've always had. But after reading about the problems with front loaders, I wanted to stay with a top loader. When Rick and I talked about it, he pretty much said that I should get whatever I wanted. 

I'm very pleased.
 

denice

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Unfortunately there are no independent appliance stores left in this area and the big box stores at least here don't have them.  There is a rent to own place that has them but I won't get caught up in that.  
 
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Winchester

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None of the big box stores around here have them. We found a local version of a big box store; they have a few stores in the area and they do fairly well. They sell Speed Queens, so we were lucky. Plus Rick got them to pay the sales tax for us and they delivered the washer for free. Rick always asks for some kind of discount. He says that it never hurts to ask and if they say NO, we've haven't lost anything. You'd be surprised how many stores do not say NO and they'll offer him something.

We don't do the rent-to-own thing either. When you really figure it out, it's not a savings at all, not with those weekly payments. They're really popular around here, though, so people must use them for stuff.
 
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Primula

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It has an agitator and, from what I've read, an agitator does help with cleaning the clothes better.
I'm confused. Don't all washers have an agitator? If not, what do they have? My 16 year old Kenmore washes very nicely.

He says that it never hurts to ask and if they say NO, we've haven't lost anything. You'd be surprised how many stores do not say NO and they'll offer him something.
I'm the same way. I always ask for a senior discount too. And I would never pay for an appliance to be delivered or installed.
 

Willowy

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I'm confused. Don't all washers have an agitator? If not, what do they have?
Nope. I have a toploader that doesn't have an agitator. They have a plate at the bottom that moves, I guess. And the drum swashes back and forth. I don't know if I would buy it for myself (it came with the house) but it works great as long as I choose the soak cycle. I wasn't happy with it before I figured out I had to use soak. It's a little easier on the fabric, I think, supposed to make your clothes last longer.

Frontloaders don't have an agitator because they rotate vertically so the clothes fall back into the water.
 
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Primula

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Nope. I have a toploader that doesn't have an agitator. They have a plate at the bottom that moves, I guess. And the drum swashes back and forth. I don't know if I would buy it for myself (it came with the house) but it works great as long as I choose the soak cycle. I wasn't happy with it before I figured out I had to use soak. It's a little easier on the fabric, I think, supposed to make your clothes last longer.

Frontloaders don't have an agitator because they rotate vertically so the clothes fall back into the water.
I never knew that. Another reason to buy a top loader. I love watching my clothes agitate when I open the lid. Boy, how pathetic that sounds. :(
 

Willowy

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Well, just be warned, when your old washer breaks, it's going to be hard to find a new toploader with an agitator. That's why everyone loves their Speed Queens :tongue2:.
 
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AbbysMom

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Bumping this oldie up. My washer died on Tuesday. It's got a few issues now and it was time for a new one. The dryer also hasn't been drying as well. My Speed Queen washer and dryer will be delivered on Monday. :)
 

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Unfortunately there are no independent appliance stores left in this area and the big box stores at least here don't have them. There is a rent to own place that has them but I won't get caught up in that.
My brother-in-law and his wife live in a Columbus suburb. I know they bought one recently, but I cannot remember exactly where. I checked. Big Sandy's in Dublin and the Appliance Factory on Sawmill are registered dealers. I have never been there, so I am not sure what sort of stores they are. I am closer to the Medina/Brunswick/Lodi area, and the Home Appliance Store has them. I was recently looking at them.
 
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Winchester

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Bumping this oldie up. My washer died on Tuesday. It's got a few issues now and it was time for a new one. The dryer also hasn't been drying as well. My Speed Queen washer and dryer will be delivered on Monday. :)
Congrats! I hope you love yours as much as I love ours!
 

denice

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My brother-in-law and his wife live in a Columbus suburb. I know they bought one recently, but I cannot remember exactly where. I checked. Big Sandy's in Dublin and the Appliance Factory on Sawmill are registered dealers. I have never been there, so I am not sure what sort of stores they are. I am closer to the Medina/Brunswick/Lodi area, and the Home Appliance Store has them. I was recently looking at them.
Big Sandy's opened recently, after this thread originally started. I recently bought a new washer and dryer but I went with something cheaper. Several brands now have an agitator model, I got GE.
 
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