49 replies to this topic

[RegUS_PatOff]

[user=22364]growinupinfl[/user] wrote:

... we decided to get the 4.3 Cubic foot Samsung... 

if you can get service manuals / service people / parts, now, and in the future ...

[Scottthewolf]

Good luck on your Korean made Samsung purchase. Very few technicians will touch your product. You could have at least bought a Whirlpool Duet front load washer and kept the profits in the USA.

[john63]

<<<With the help of this website we decided to get the 4.3 Cubic foot Samsung.>>>

******
 
Very good choice.
 

 

[Scottthewolf]

Not in my opinion it's not.

[Robin the Hood]

Good...um...luck.

The reasons that both Whirlpool and Maytag severed their relationships with Samsung were:

a) lack of quality, and
lack of reliable replacement parts

:shock:

[Scottthewolf]

Thanks Robin, I'm glad U and I agree.

[john63]

[user=34529]Robin the Hood[/user] wrote:

Good...um...luck.

The reasons that both Whirlpool and Maytag severed their relationships with Samsung were:

a) lack of quality, and
lack of reliable replacement parts

:shock:

This is an anecdotal observation,correct?

I've never shared a six pack of Old Milwaukee with Jeff Fettig Or Ralph Hake---but--- on occassion I may read an article or two in the Wall Street Journal or similar publication.

When Whirlpool acquired Maytag---the big question was, WHY?

Usually when a company makes an acquisition---it is done to *expand* their market offerings. For example, if a pharmaceutical company that manufactures chemical-based medicines buys another drug company which makes organic-based medicines...this is obviously a business decision to capitalize on the assumption that the organic-derived medicines is the next big thing. Logical.

When Whirlpool bought Maytag---there was no logical reason for this. Maytag & Whirlpool's product line-up was nearly identical. Duplication galore.

1) Entry-level / builder-model appliances (check)

2) Mid-range appliances (both got 'em)

3) Premium / upper priced appliances (identical again)

Then I saw the article...

Originally---an investment group (Ripplewood Holdings) put in a bid for failing / bankrupt Maytag.

Then the Chinese (Haier) upped the ante and outbid Ripplewood.

One can imagine the panic in the boardroom at Whirlpool.

If Haier successfully acquired Maytag---which is a competitor to Whirlpool with a near mirror-image product porfolio---the big fright was that Haier might move all manufacturing to China (low labor costs). This would allow Haier-owned-Maytag to competitively beat (price) Whirlpool in every product category and wrest market-share from Whirlpool. Scary indeed for Whp shareholders.

It was a business decision for Whirlpool to buy Maytag and protect their market share.

This is where "Robin the Hood's" comment doesn't fit...

*****

The reasons that both Whirlpool and Maytag severed their relationships with Samsung were:

a) lack of quality, and
lack of reliable replacement parts

:shock:


*****
 
When Maytag introduced their *Neptune* front load washer in 1996---the great hope was that this would save an already ailing Maytag Corp.
 
When problems began mounting (motors & controllers and main board / wax motors) Maytag struggled to overcome. The company was losing cash & stock value faster than expected. Ralph Hake had all of his fingers in the dike trying to stop the leak but it wasn't working.
 
Maytag even tried to jump-start things again by introducing the failed Neptune TL, which further eroded Maytag's market-share & reputation.
 
In 2004---Maytag made an agreement to scrap their Neptune front loader and use the re-badged Samsung front load washer instead. Maytag was broke and had no other option.
 
After Whirlpool acquired Maytag in 2006---there was no need to continue this arrangement. Whirlpool decided to use THEIR washer---the Duet.
 
Thus---we have the *Maytag Epic*.
 
A logical business decision that has absolutely nothing---zip---to do with "lack of quality or parts".
 

 
 

 

 

[kdog]

I never will understand the Neptune thing, I thought they were pretty good machines - I also don't mind servicing them even now if opportunity arises - I bought one new in 1999 and used it for over 10 years with absolute zero problems. Obviously me being who I am kept the machine current with little tweaks, but had no problems that became the demise of the design.
To this day, I fail to see how they are any different than the machines we are servicing today in terms of Door Boot failure or Expensive Electronic controls - these traits seem common with all front load designs and are really due to user behaviors regarding water Temp, Additive use and common sense maintainence.
How come other manufacturers are not involved in Class Actions for these same reasons ?
And how 'bout some of those brilliant design decisions like sealing a drain pump cleanout deep in the belly of a stacked laundry pair placed in a closet or alcove - a simple, probable task becomes a half day job with a couple of people and a monkey to re-install the units; to throw salt in the wound, they actually make the front panel look exactly like units they made in the past that had a simple lower access panel - the job could be performed in maybe 30 minutes.
The manufacturers should be forced to reduce the scrapping of their products within a certain length of time by making them feesibly repairable.

[john63]

<<<I thought they were pretty good machines >>>

***************

The design was very good. Simple.

The problems were electrical---but even that wasn't really a big deal.

The "big deal" was that Maytag was cash-strapped and unable to resolve the problems---then came the lawsuits.

 

[Scottthewolf]

Maytag also tarnished their reputation for dependability by buying Norge, Admiral, Magic Chef, Amana, Dixie-Narco, Hoover, Blodgett, and Primus.

There was absolutely no need to have 3 different platforms of top load washers.  Even worse was the decision to take the Norge and Amana washer and rebadge it as a Maytag.

We all know Maytag ruined the Amana top loader by changing the outer tub from porcelain on steel to plastic, changing the tub bearing and seal and changing the thickness of the milkstool and the base. They ruined the machine so bad, they phased it out even before Whirlpool bought them out.