Death of a Kenmore Washing Machine

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I think this post should be called, "This is why we can't have nice things."  We've said it over and over as we've moved throughout the past 5 years.  Buy something nice, the movers will bust it up!

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When we received orders to go to Germany in 2007 we were given the option to put items we owned into long-term storage.  The military would pay for the storage of anything we did not want to ship overseas.

Putting the washer and dryer into storage was an easy decision based on the power supply alone (we have 110v washers and power in Europe is 220v).  On the scheduled pick-up day back in October 2007, the movers arrived and took them away.  They were less than a year old.

Fast forward to 2012.  We're back in the States and after 6 full weeks of waiting (and using the laundromat!!), Friday was our delivery date for the washer and dryer.  The dryer came off the truck first and was in great shape.  The washer on the other hand…

I don't remember it being a top load…

There were major structural damages - it looks like it was probably dropped at least once.  

Because the door won't close, it can't lock.  And since it's a front-load washer, it won't run unless the door is locked.  So…we were still without a washer!  You can imagine my frustration.

On a side note, have you ever been packed by a moving company?  They use small stickers with numbers to make their inventory.  The stickers are color-coded so they use an entire set of one color (999) before starting fresh at 001 again in another color.  (We've never had to use 2 colors in the same shipment!)  We do, however, find this darn things everywhere!!  They appear constantly even after you think you've removed them all!!

These were on the washing machine.  This is actually the only time I've seen a green sticker!!  We have TONS of red ones and even a few yellow ones still floating around though!

So anyway, back to the dead washer.  I needed a washing machine.  I hadn't had one since we moved out of our house in Germany on June 6th.  That was 2 full months ago!!  Even though I generally dislike doing laundry, I've been dying to do a load!!  (Crazy, I know.)  My husband and I started doing some quick comparison shopping.  We found that although we loved the look of an LG, we were unwilling to spend $1200 for it.  My dad was a manager of the appliance department at Sears for years. He always recommends Kenmore appliances.  I thought he was just brand loyal.

Turns out he's right to recommend them!  Consumer reports ranks the Kenmore brand just as high, if not higher than their competitors.  And for a lower price.  Works for me!!

We shopped around for Kenmore's and found that there is a Sears outlet not far from our house.  They sell slightly used, damaged, or returned merchandise at huge discounts.  We found a great washing machine for a fraction of the original cost.  It's larger than our old washer but cost about the same as the old one did in January 2007.  We ordered it and it was delivered on Sunday!  Here's a picture of my new baby!

It's so pretty and super sleek!  I haven't had a chance to wipe it down or remove the stickers from the top.  I've been focused on doing the mountain of laundry that piled up over the past 6 weeks!!  I'm happy to report that it holds a TON of clothes in there (WAY more than the washer we were using in Germany!)  It's been so nice to use such a great machine.  I'm really happy we bought it.

Maia's been having fun watching the clothes go round and round!  It's amazing what keeps a kid her age occupied!!

The only downside is the thought of moving next spring and having the same thing happen to this washer.  It really makes me cringe.  The military insures each shipment and delivery when you move, but they don't always cover everything.  We have already submitted our claim for the washer but they said it could be at least a week before we hear anything.  They may even send someone out to inspect it so we have to keep it until they decide!  We have the only house in the world with a washing machine sitting in the entryway.

Oh the joys of military life.

Let's hope they cover the cost of the new washer.  It's really frustrating to be moved all over the world and have to cover the cost of so many incidentals!  (We're probably not getting reimbursed for the rental car we needed when we arrived in Boston from Germany.  We've been told they "don't cover that."  Short of walking, I'm not sure how we were supposed to get from the airport to our new home though…  But that's a different story!)

For now I'm just glad I can clean sheets, towels, and clothes whenever I feel like it!  No more laundromat for me! Pin It

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