Quote:
Originally Posted by elnina
I have Samsung French door since 2007 and no problems at all. Most problems are caused by the ice dispenser. I don't have that feature, just regular ice maker inside the fridge.
There is a similar thread on SA forum, you might want to check on their recommendations:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...l#post52794555 |
Hi Elnina, that was me and my post.
Thanks for your feedback. Thought Id open up this topic at a national level because many people dont live and visit the SA portion of the forum.
Also, I had a chat with the CR rep regarding the discrepancy between what CR is saying regarding reliability and what local repair shops, some family and some forum members are saying. I will remove the names for protection.
Unfortunately, even after the chat, I do not feel I got a satisfying answer as to the discrepancy and I don't feel any more comfortable with making purchases towards any of these brands. Perhaps some of your responses will help.
Here is the chat with the CR rep (reps responses in Blue):
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Chat started with Consumer Reports (CR) rep:
Me (to CR rep)
I am purchasing a new home and I am in the process of picking new appliances. Appliances such as washer and dryer, refrigerator and the like. I see most of your top recommendations are LG. I called 5 different local repair shops here in my area, San Antonio and all of them said stay away from LG and Samsung because of reliablity issues and costs to repair. The brands they recommended where Whirlpool (3 of them recommended) and Maytag (3 of them recommended) and Speed Queen (2 recommended). There seems to be a descrepancy and I would like your help in figuring out why this seems to be the case
Ask CR Rep joined the chat
Ask CR Rep
Hello Me! Thank you for contacting Ask CR.
I would be happy to look into that for you.
Me
Hi rep.
The repair shops all said stay away from LG and Samsung for both Washers dryers and refrigerators
It was 5 different local repair shops I called and spoke to
If you need time to talk to your testers and would like time to look into this matter thouroughly I understand.
If you want you can email me back after you research it and talk with them
Ask CR Rep
We go based off our testings as well as surveys from our consumers. Each model in our washing machine ratings now has a rating for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
https://www.consumerreports.org/wash...achine-brands/
This one is regarding refrigerators: https://www.consumerreports.org/refr...erator-brands/
If you feel that LG and Samsung is not a good choice, I can narrow down your options for the brand you feel most comfortable with.
Me
I am not sure what the best options are. I actually put LG first on my list based on them being at the top of each of the lists. However, each of the 5 different repair shops said to stay away from LG because they get the most call for them and they are the most expensive to repair. Also, when I asked family and I asked in the online forums, I got the same answer. Stay away from LG for these reasons. The repair shops recommended Whirlpool, MAytag and speed queen. So did friends, family and those online. It was such a stark contrast to what CR rated and said that I want to investigate this further.
Ask CR Rep
We have a few good models with excellent ratings, but that is not the only brand with high ratings.
Do you want to start with refrigerators?
Me
I can navigate through the lists and write down which is best
are your reliability ratings only based on what customer surveys report?
Ask CR Rep
Yes, we include survey results based on predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
Me
Is there any other data used in these reliability ratings? Such as, is there actual repair rate data used from any national or local sources?
Ask CR Rep
No, the predicted reliability is based on estimated breakage rates for newly purchased products, not under service contract, within the first five years of ownership. The owner satisfaction is based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend the product to someone else.
Me
I was told that washing machines built today by most companies are only designed to last 6-8 years whlie some companies build to last decades. Any reason why the breakage rate period for CR is only out 5 years when most will not need repair within this time?
5 years is used instead of 10 - 20 years
Im looking for a product that will last a very long time and not need replacing or repairs within 10 years
Ask CR Rep
We actually have an article that will give you an estimate on how long your appliances will last.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...ends/index.htm
Washing machines can last up to 10 years.
Refrigerators are 13, unless it's a compact model, it would be 9.
Me
Any ideas which brands are most reliable out to 10 years for washers and dryers?
Ask CR Rep
We only go up to 5 years through the predicted reliability.
https://www.consumerreports.org/wash...achine-brands/
This article advises you which brand to go with based on the type of washer you want.
Me
Is it possible that CR can start keeping data and reporting on brands that are the most reliable and last 10 - 15 years?
Ask CR Rep
I can forward your feedback to the appropriate staff as a report suggestion. ☺️
Me
This is what people are concerned about with large expensive appliance purchases. No one want to replace an expensive appliance every 6-8 years. If CR data is only keeping track of 5 years out, its probably missing brands that will fail shortly after that 5 year period.
This is exactly what I have been told when I asked the local repair shops
Most last the 5 years. What brands last the longest (10 - 20) years, with the least repair rates?
Ask CR Rep
Like I said, we only go up to 5 years for reliability, but you can always contact the manufacturer to see if they are as realiable when they hit 10 years.
Me
Ok, any idea why there is such a discrepancy between reliability ratings from CR regarding LG products and what local large city repair shops are saying?
Ask CR Rep
We simply test the products and go off scientific research.
Me
LG bests pretty much all of the important catagories. If they truely are reliable then I will go with them. But there just seems to be such a huge descrepancy in reports of reliability. I dont want to purchase something only to replace it 7 years later. Yes there are other brands but they dont seem to perform as well as what you guys are saying LG does. So its important I get this right. After all, Im the one who will be spending thousands of dollars on these appliances.
Ask CR Rep
What type of washer were you looking for?
Me
Top loader as I am tall
Ask CR Rep
Like the article I sent, it depends on the type you want.
Speed Queen and Roper are the two most reliable brands; in this category, both garnered an Excellent for reliability. Speed Queen is the only brand to get an Excellent rating for owner satisfaction.
Me
The tall people I spoke too seem to hate side loaders even though they performed better in yoru tests
For the washer I had picked the LG model: LDCS24223S
For the dryer I had picked the LG model:
DLEX7600WE
Opps, first one I sent was a refrigerator
The refrigerator was also LG. LDCS24223S
Here is the correct model number for the LG washer: WT7600HWA
Ask CR Rep
The DLEX7600WE is one of our recommended models.
Me
I based all of those choices on CR ratings. But like I said, reliability is very important to me as I am the one who will be spending thousands on appliances. There is just a huge descrepancy between CR reliability ratings for LG and what large repair shops are saying.
Ask CR Rep
I believe requesting extended warranty would be your best bet.
Me
You mentioned Speed Queen for reliability as did the repair shops and others but CR rated them terrible overall, especially because of cleaning performance
Granted, I generally only need a light cleaning as I generally dont stain or heavily soil my clothes anyway so maybe SQ could be an option. Either them or Maytag or Whirlpool. Or just stick with the LG. I just didnt want to make a purchase only to replace in 6 - 8
Ask CR Rep
The Kenmore Elite 31552 washing machine is a high tested Recommended top-loader with an overall score of a 75.
https://www.consumerreports.org/prod...7830/overview/
Me
Ok, Ill have to research this matter further regarding the washers, dryers and refrigerators.
The other thing I am researching is water softners
Ask CR Rep
We also have an article on whether you should repair or replace your products: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...lace/index.htm
Me
Everyone keeps telling me to stay away from big box store water softeners as they are again, are built cheaply and only built to last 5 - 7 years. The people I spoke to said big box stores water softners also have propriatary parts and when the unit and parts break, the whole unit needs to be replaced. It was said I should go with a local installer for water softeners versus the big box stores. The problem is there are so many local installers to choose from, each with their own recommeded brands and reasons for choosing them.
Any idea why CR does not test water softeners?
Ask CR Rep
At this time, we do not test this product since it is not in high demand for testing, but we do have articles.
What you need to know about water softeners: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...ners/index.htm
And also if your home needs one: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...ener/index.htm
Me
I have read that short one. Unfortunately, it offers no guidance on the most reliable brands
Again, I dont want to replace in 6 - 8 years on this potentially very expensive appliance
Ask CR Rep
We do not test on water softeners, so I wouldn't be able to tell you which ones are most reliable. I apologize.
Me
Ok, well I appreciate your help up to this point. Please pass along the recommendation for CR to start keeping track of repair data for brands 10+ years out and please pass along the recommendation to test water softners as this is knowledge would be something that would benefit a large number of people since many own water softeners.
Ask CR Rep
Of course! That's no problem. Is there any other questions you have for me?
Me
No, thats it. Thanks for your time
Ask CR Rep
I wish you the best of luck and happy shopping! Thank you for your loyalty with us, have a great day.
Me
You too
-end chat
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