Wednesday 19 December 2012

Replacing the washing machine

After making some grand pronouncements in the last blog post about consolidating our funds for renovating in 2013, the washing machine just packed it in!

The old machine was tripping our electrical safety switch, which is not a terribly healthy sign. And according to the service guy, it's not worth repairing. Water got into the motor and a replacement motor would cost more than the five year old washing machine was worth.

We paid the princely sum of $129 for the pleasure of that information...clearly we had hoped it was something which could be easily fixed...So a week out from Christmas we are left washing machine-less. The horror.

Old washing machine which lasted about five years...

Washing clothes is my main raison d'etre...well no, but it does form a great part of my daily routine. I feel like I'm missing a body part now the washing machine is out of action..., well no, but the dirty laundry basket is overflowing. It really needs to be replaced ASAP.

Thankfully my social media network came through with their personal recommendations, after my public pleas for assistance.  It seems the quickest, cheapest and most convenient way to purchase white goods theses days is through appliances online.

And it is, because I just bought a new machine this evening. My new washer arrives on Friday (free delivery too), it will be installed and they will take the old washing machine away with them. You wonder what the catch is?

I'm happy though, as I didn't have to drag the kids to the shops during the Christmas rush and with the plethora of information there is on the net, the final choice was as informed as it needed to be.

Sadly, I don't have a lot of faith in appliances these days. Most are not built to last. I've been told that standard front loaders will only last for about five years; standard top loaders will give you about 10 years. That's a pretty poor indictment of our throw-away society.

Anyway, I'll let you know how my online washing machine purchase goes when it is delivered. I really hope it does get delivered on Friday...we're short on undies!

19 comments:

  1. Next time something like this happens to me, I shall remember that it doesn't only happen to me! I do feel for you, it's frustrating to have to replace things like this so regularly and at this time of year...though no time is really convenient is it?

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  2. Thanks Carol, yep no time is convenient but this time of year worries me because a lot of places shut or have limited delivery times... xx

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  3. I'm gradually replacing all my appliances with Miele versions, which don't break. But I remember when my last washing machine did: I spent hours on the phone to the slow delivery people going on and on about how my 20 children had run out of clothes to wear. They offered to have my laundry couriered to a laundrette to placate me, but I had run out of steam and said no.

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  4. Mise, now I have buyer's remorse. Miele was the only brand that was not readily available online and I didn't want to go to shop. It will be my next washing machine in five years time. xx

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  5. I have a Miele front loader & it's 10 years old next year. Never a problem. A girlfriend has 2 of them (different models) & 2 Miele dryers as she has a family of 8. Her washing machine is over 10 years old. Doesn't miss a beat. Apart from the cooktop & oven, all appliances are Miele in our house ... coffee machine, microwave, warming drawer & dishwasher. Their dishwashers are also fantastic. Super quiet. Wouldn't own anything else. Good luck with your purchase. I'm sure you'll "break the mould" and your washer will go on and on & you won't get to purchase a Miele. I was a bit like that with my old dryer ... break goddam you ... I want a Miele! :-)

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  6. You take your chances with appliances for sure. I've had my front loader for about eight years. My top loader lasted over twenty.

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  7. loathe a front loader! good luck with the search , happy Christmas. Belated thanks for the tickets- I was sick so gave hem to Hollie super sec who loved the movie xx

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  8. LOL about the undies - we bought a washing machine about 8 years ago that is still going strong, trick i have learnt is to buy a big one that way it never has to work to hard :-)

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  9. Appliances Online are great, we've bought a few things through them. Great for time poor families with children who whinge in shops and department stores! :-) Mx

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  10. Bought mine via Appliances Online 18 months ago, too. The guys installed on the exact day (couple days later), and removed the old one... no probs. :)

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  11. Yay! So glad it's all sorted.

    SSG xxx

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  12. My mother was gifted a washing machine by her workmates when she married (a Fisher and Paykel) 43 years ago! It lasted 37 years of a family of 5 living near the sea (so loads of sand ended up in there!). I doubt a new F and P would survive so long.

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  13. If you need to wash tomorrow give me a call, i hate not being able to do the washing. love Melissa .

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  14. Glad to hear a new washer is on the way, mum's of boys can't be without one for more than a day or two.

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  15. Only five years ... that's disgusting!!! My machine is a Kleenmaid and is 14 years old. All the appliances (oven, cooktop, dishwasher etc) are Kleenmaid (all 14 years old) and they've all been very good to us (touch wood). I know Kleenmaid went bust here in Australia so don't know if you can buy them any more.

    Merry Christmas and all that.

    Anonymous Natalie

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  16. My Kleenmaid Speed Queen is also 15 years old and goes like a top. Great machine. Hope I don't jinx it! I have had 3 machines in 40 years, the first (Wilkins Servis twin tub)only lasted 5 years but got rid of it because it was too small for growing family. Our Westinghouse lasted 20 years. Good luck with the new one. We also used Appliances On-Line for a stove, new sink & fridge. Excellent & efficient service.

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  17. My Kleenmaid Speed Queen is also 15 years old and goes like a top. Great machine. Hope I don't jinx it! I have had 3 machines in 40 years, the first (Wilkins Servis twin tub)only lasted 5 years but got rid of it because it was too small for growing family. Our Westinghouse lasted 20 years. Good luck with the new one. We also used Appliances On-Line for a stove, new sink & fridge. Excellent & efficient service.

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  18. Thanks for all the kind words everyone!

    We <3 happy customers. =)

    -Dave

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  19. My goodness, what terrible timing. I hope it is all sorted soon. If I don't catch up before Christmas, have a lovely day and I hope Santa brings you lots of goodies, Tam x

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