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JennGM
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| Posted: March 23 2009 at 1:03pm | IP Logged
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So, washing machines, a very important necessity in a family. The repairman just left. I've got a crippled machine that dh has bandaided for a while. The estimate is the cost of a new top loader.
I'd love a front loader, but the cost difference is quite a bit.
When you were pinched for money and needed a washer, what did you get? Was it under $400 (you don't need to be specific $$)? Is it a good one? Large loads?
I'd love to read some soliloquies waxing elegant about your beloved washer.  
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 23 2009 at 1:53pm | IP Logged
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Well it depends.. if you really want that front loader.. *I* would look for a used top loader cheap right now.. while saving up for the front loader.. so that I could spend $50 and have $350 to put away for that front loader.
Otherwise, I've been very happy with my sears washer.. largest top loader they had with no bells and whistles about 11 years ago. We've had to replace one part on it ourselves.. and had a repairman out once (dh couldn't find the problem.. and it was definately cheaper to pay the repairman than the parts dh thought it could be - sent those back for refund  )
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Lauri B
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| Posted: March 23 2009 at 2:02pm | IP Logged
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In a pinch, we bought a clearance Ingles extra large washer for under $200 at Best Buy several years ago when our old washer died. It's a top loader, off-brand, and was on clearance. :) Someday I'd like a dream washer installed under the counter in the kitchen, but for now I need something that cleans a lot of clothing for a little money. Hubby & son fetched in the SUV and installed it themselves. Perhaps not the poshest choice, but cheap and cheerful works for us!
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Marybeth
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| Posted: March 23 2009 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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My husband, the most frugal man I know, bought us a front end loader at $650 about two months ago. th is included tax, deliver, pick up of the old one, and year warranty.
He now does all the laundry because he loves it!!!! I am not sure how many years until I get a new dryer.
We looked at top loaders as I didn't want to get too fancy or spend too much $$. the price difference was only $100 and the selection minimal. Dh did research before we left home and knew about various brands. I know (???) either Maytag or Kenmore had bad reviews for mildew smell coming from the liner.Don't remember which brand now.
Dh cleans ours regularly with a rag and leaves the door open which the company recommends between uses. This may be harder for a family were the machine is accessible to kids. Our laundry room is downstairs in its own room. The kids only go into help dh with laundry so leaving the door open to air out isn't a big deal.
Also, the laundry detergent they recommend isn't too expensive and we easily found one for my sensitive skin. Of course, I had just bought six bottles of discontinued detergent at Target the day before our machine broke. 
Our brand is an LG. We are very happy with it.
Mb
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Marybeth (Mb)
http://held-together.blogspot.com
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 7:54am | IP Logged
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Do you have a dent and bang place within driving distance? We got our glass top oven and washer and dryer (front loaders) at a chain store that specializes in new machines that are not perfect condition. Not everything in there is actually a deal, but if you do your homework before, you can get front loaders for the cost of top loaders. Ours both just had dings and dents that were minor and covered easily with appliance touch up paint (and then our family promptly dinged them up! )
If you can find a good deal, front loaders use so much less water they pay for themselves. Plus, you can *stuff* those things! 
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 9:39am | IP Logged
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A few years ago we used our tax refund money to replace our broken washer with a front loader...I'll never go back. It is an amazing machine and holds a ton of clothes!!! I love that it uses less water.
Just throwing the tax refund option out there...
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mimip
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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I want to throw another option out there. Do you guys have craigslist.com in your area???? That is a great place to get a really cheap used washer for the time being and save up to get a great front loader in the future. That is waht we did and we are looking forward to getting our new front loader in the fall.
I'm with Tea too, look for a dent and scratch place and see what deals they have. My best friend just got a new washer and dryer (not front loader) for under $1000.
Just some ideas, Good Luck
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Martha
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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yep. us too. we got a new knock-off brand large capacity top load washer and dryer for approx $800 for the set.
I guess I'm weird. I really don't like the front loaders. you can't put as much in them and you can't use cheap laundry detergent and you need more space to be able to open them. and you can just soak the laundry in them. I can put a lot of clothes in my washer and I use the $10 bucket of dry detergent fronm sams, which lasts us a good 3 months. I also tend to leave the lid open and when it's full run it. or leave something in it to soak before starting the wash.
the only plus I see to a front loader is you can get counter space above them and it might save water. I really don't think it saves water though because I'd have to run more loads.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
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Loren
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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I'm with Martha. My MIL has a front loader and was raving about it. I put our traveling clothes in it straight from the suitcase and after tumbling and agitating for however long, they came out still folded. If it can't even jiggle a pair of jeans apart, how is it going to get the dirt out?
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Wishy Washy All the Day
