Blackbelt consumer: Sorry to hear of your bad encounter with Sears. You know, when I first got those machines home and tried them on, I already felt that something wasn't "kosher." I guess we bought in to the sales talk too quickly. We never learned our lesson dealing with Sears. We got a Kenmore dishwasher. It was a smaller capacity one, but cost more. We got it because of space limitation. Before the year was up, it already had problem--the water spinner broke--it melted away! And of course the warranty period was over too. So, I was thinking to myself how could Sears sell such a shoddy product! Anyway, Sears will be history for me too. spark823: Thanks for the heads up on LG. Interesting thing is that a few people in this forum seem to have positive things to say of it, but of course until the problem becomes a problem, it's always ok. In all fairness, all things will have problems some day, but if the problems become evident too soon, then the product is no better than the top loaders. They seem to last for years. Only difference is its energy saving feature, but I wonder how much savings is worth looking into, considering all inconveniences one has to go through. By the way, I do use the new detergent that is made for front loaders. laudrytech: The only thing with our set is that we have installed a new vent, so there's no kink or clog as far as we can tell. Also, the machine being so new, there isn't any residue around the door. That said, I will look out for the helpful things you suggested for future trouble shooting though. Guys, I have learned something here and want to thank each one of you for taking the time to respond. Meanwhile, I've been thinking of reverting back to good old days--with the top loaders. Any models to recommend? Stackable ones are preferred. Thanks so much once again and have a good evening.

Things to think about before selecting a machine... how 'available' is service locally??? If you're talking with a 'big box' store... ask what town the service will come out of for the BRAND you are buying... you may have to calll the customer service number for the manufacturer to figure out where the closest wuthorized service is... do you want a 'heater' which will insure you 'hot' wash is really hot, or to enable a "profile' wash... starts out cold and then heats up tto the desired temp... supposedly the 'best' way to get your clothes really clean... do you want the sanitizing function (towels, underwear, diapers, socks, gym clothes... that type of thing... but alll must be able to handle HOT water... hotter than typical hot wash Steam... supposedly this helps with wrinkles... (personally I haven't figured out if those with this option here realy use it or like it yet)... all will use less wter, spin faster, and leave your clothes drier when they come out of the wash... all will require you to use HE detergent, preferably powder... and preferably to leave the door ajar when not in use to help with mold/smell issues... then... the flooring question, which your answer solves many problems people have... concrete seems to be the 'perfect' answer for the 'vibration' caused by the high spinning... again this is a very construction dependent problem... I personally have no problems with my fl on the second floor of my house... others here have had major problems with vibration... then... go look at them... looks are very different... are ou swayed by the colors... since they are in your basement, maybe not??? each machine out there looks a little different from the other... open the doors, spin the drums around, open and close the soap compartment a few times... what do you like the 'feel' of??? persoanlly I think the dryers are a non issue... and you may or may not even want to get a matching dryer... the more 'normal' looking dryers are MUCH cheaper and just as functional.... decide what you want for features... then go touch and feel models that fit those features... remember whirlpool makes a lot of the 'typical' brands (sears, maytag, kitchen aid... and I believe others)... so there you're buying by different features on different machines... whatever you decide, go online before they install and get a copy of the instructions and print them and make sure they follow them... get your shipping bolts from the installers and any other 'tools' that you should receive from them... and make sure they level the thing properly... and tighten the legs... good luck

I have pedestals and I'm 5'0". Unlike akl_vdb the aesthetics are fine in my laundry room. We are remodeling and I will keep the pedestals or if we ever replace the machines, have similar set up. I could make more space and enlarge my pantry if I stacked them as some of my neighbors with same model house have done, but I'm too short to reach the dryer if I do so. Maybe I own different models than Cooper8828 but I've also seen various models stacked in other locations and they are too high for me. I can see into the dryer but not reach the buttons. Suggest you mock up the layout on a wall with painters tape, measure where the doors and controls would be and mark them (with tape) and see how high/low they would be.

I didn't think I had mold either until I pulled back the rubber gasket and took a look. Then what I found there and inside the detergent dispenser was beyond disgusting. I have always left the door open all the way since it was brand new. Now I also leave the detergent dispenser open and I still get mold. It's impossible to get the mold out of the gasket so I will need to get a new one for about $300. It's difficult to get your arm in the dispenser socket to clean as well. This washer/dryer I was told to be one of the best front loaders by 4 different mom and pop appliance stores (Electrolux) and I 've had 5 service calls in 5 years and my husband and I are empty nesters. My neighbor who got the Speed Queen at the same time as I got my FL has had NO service calls and she has 3 kids. I will not be replacing the gasket and instead will get a new Speed Queen top load washer and dryer. I don't need all this hassle. Photos attached.