Washer - Whirlpool vs Kenmore

Posted by on September 29, 2006, 8:12 pm

I have to get a new washer. Don't want fancy bells & whistles, just a
washer that does its job; won't crash tomorrow. I don't need extra
capcity.

I looked at a Whirlpool at Sears that I liked, but it's not on special
any more. Salesperson said Kenmore is made by Whirlpool and is on
special.

Questions:

1. If it's made by Whirlpool, why sell it under Sears Kenmore name?

2. Is there a difference in quality between W. and K.?

3. Sorry I don't have a model number, but the Whirlpool I was
looking at is about $395.

After spending ages on-line trying to get comparative info, I'm more
confused than ever.

Any voice-of-experience/repair professional advice out there?

Tx

Aspasia

Posted by professorpaul on September 29, 2006, 8:31 pm

That is who makes Sears applicances.

> 1. If it's made by Whirlpool, why sell it under Sears Kenmore name?

The same, unless some special version in some model is made just for
the Sears account. Unlikely.

> 2. Is there a difference in quality between W. and K.?

Seems reasonable.

> 3. Sorry I don't have a model number, but the Whirlpool I was
> looking at is about $395.

We have a Kenmore front-load washer. More $$$, but my wife loves it. We
had a Maytag last time around for 20+ years, but the word on the street
is that the quality has dropped. I think Whirlpool now owns Maytag, for
their upper-end stuff. Not sure about that.

> After spending ages on-line trying to get comparative info, I'm more
> confused than ever.

My service on Kenmore appliances has been fine. No complaints. Your
milage will vary...

> Any voice-of-experience/repair professional advice out there?

I did the routing stuff -- belts, pumps, hoses on the Maytag. I think
servicing the side-load Kenmore may be a bit much myself.

Posted by shebaaa on September 30, 2006, 8:07 am

Whirlpool does now own Maytag and all it lines.

A tip on the front load Whirlpool and Kenmore (HE type). If you remove
the lower front panel there is a screw out/clean out strainer just
before the pump. I found it the hard way after the kids left something
in their pockets and clogged it up. This strainer isn't listed in the
book anywhere I could find.

professorpaul wrote:

> That is who makes Sears applicances.

>> 1. If it's made by Whirlpool, why sell it under Sears Kenmore name?

>
> The same, unless some special version in some model is made just for
> the Sears account. Unlikely.
>

>> 2. Is there a difference in quality between W. and K.?

>
> Seems reasonable.
>

>> 3. Sorry I don't have a model number, but the Whirlpool I was
>> looking at is about $395.

>
> We have a Kenmore front-load washer. More $$$, but my wife loves it. We
> had a Maytag last time around for 20+ years, but the word on the street
> is that the quality has dropped. I think Whirlpool now owns Maytag, for
> their upper-end stuff. Not sure about that.
>

>> After spending ages on-line trying to get comparative info, I'm more
>> confused than ever.

>
> My service on Kenmore appliances has been fine. No complaints. Your
> milage will vary...
>

>> Any voice-of-experience/repair professional advice out there?

>
> I did the routing stuff -- belts, pumps, hoses on the Maytag. I think
> servicing the side-load Kenmore may be a bit much myself.
>

Posted by on September 30, 2006, 9:37 am

There is no difference in quality between a company's products marketed
under its own brands and those that are brand-engineered for other
retailers. Sometimes there are minor differences, such as the
functionality of a feature, or the availability of a particular
feature. For example, Whirlpool might have two switches with two
options each that give you four options total (2X2), while Kenmore
might bundle the same functionality into one switch giving you four
options total.

One important note, though, is that part prices can differ between
pure-branded and brand-engineered products. Let me give you an
example. If your Frigidaire front load washer that appears as Kenmore
at Sears, and GE at Home Depot needs repairs, you will pay a higher
price for the part if it has a GE part number as compared to it having
a Frigidaire part number. It is the same part, but the part number
that appears on the box depends on the channel of distribution that it
takes on the way to you. Most people don't know this, and are unable
to do the math before making a purchase, but I would personally stay
away from products made by other companies that are brand-engineered to
the GE nameplate.

When it comes down to it, nobody will ever know how clean your clothes
really are, just by looking at your or your machine, and you probably
won't be able to tell either. Most people buy way too many bells and
whistles, when all you probably need is perhaps 2 speeds and 2 water
temp options. Otherwise, most machines do pretty much the same thing.

Posted by on September 30, 2006, 12:43 pm

On 30 Sep 2006 06:37:03 -0700, nospamtodd@yahoo.com wrote:

>There is no difference in quality between a company's products marketed
>under its own brands and those that are brand-engineered for other
>retailers. Sometimes there are minor differences, such as the
>functionality of a feature, or the availability of a particular
>feature. For example, Whirlpool might have two switches with two
>options each that give you four options total (2X2), while Kenmore
>might bundle the same functionality into one switch giving you four
>options total.
>One important note, though, is that part prices can differ between
>pure-branded and brand-engineered products. Let me give you an
>example. If your Frigidaire front load washer that appears as Kenmore
>at Sears, and GE at Home Depot needs repairs, you will pay a higher
>price for the part if it has a GE part number as compared to it having
>a Frigidaire part number. It is the same part, but the part number
>that appears on the box depends on the channel of distribution that it
>takes on the way to you. Most people don't know this, and are unable
>to do the math before making a purchase, but I would personally stay
>away from products made by other companies that are brand-engineered to
>the GE nameplate.

Very interesting!

**********OK, now does this apply to a Whirlpool "brand-engineered" to
the Kenmore nameplate? That's what is preoccupying me now.*********

My Maytag ran 11 years w/o coughing, and only called attention to
itself when the lid switch assembly went out. The repairs will cost
$187.00, so I'm figuring I'd better get a new one for -+ $350-400.

>When it comes down to it, nobody will ever know how clean your clothes
>really are, just by looking at your or your machine, and you probably
>won't be able to tell either.

That is not my concern .Durability and freedom from hassles IS my
concerrn. I have light loads, so don't need a workhorse; just
RELIABILITY.

Most people buy way too many bells and

>whistles, when all you probably need is perhaps 2 speeds and 2 water
>temp options. Otherwise, most machines do pretty much the same thing.

Hah! I was told this years ago by a staff person at the Dept of Water
and Power which had an open house to view machines. Person said
exactly the same thing -- 2 speeds and 2 [or 3] water options. All
the rest is vanity and cuteness.

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