Maytag Epic or LG Steamwasher

16 years ago

Let me preface this message by saying that I am a Calypso owner, so now I would like to buy a durable set and not be a tester for a manufacturer!

Given that, which machine do you think I would be best off with, the Maytag Epic or the LG? I was set on the Epic, but got talked out of it by three Home Depot salespeople in three different stores, who all thought the LG was the better machine.

In addition, people here and on Epinions seem to be happy with the LG. My service would come from GE, so that should be fine.

The LG, in red, of course would be more interesting...but again, it's still just a washer/dryer!

Thanks!

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Comments (11)

kayesrus
16 years ago
I had a terrible experience with the epic machine and with home depot. my advise, don't buy anything from home depot.
1st problem was the delivery - after being told machine needed to be "installed" correctly and "leveled" properly, delivery men installed machine and shook it for leveling test. No tools, leveler or anything. One quick shake and deliverymen/installers left. Two weeks after daily use, (we have 8 children) machine began to vibrate and move. loud banging noise started. Called service co. A&E. Technician came and spent over 1 hr. Said machine as a "lemon" improper installation, machine was damaged. Technician ordered new shock absorbers. He returned and installed the parts even though he said it wouldn't fix the problem. Told me to call Home Depot for refund, that he would make computer entry that machine was non-repairable. Went to home depot. Manager said technician did not report any thing w rong with machine! (even though he ordered and installed new shock absorbers. If we wanted a refund, another service tech. would have to look and machine and find it non-repairable. I refused to allow anther tech. into my home after the deceitful/lying tech from A&E.
Attorney letter sent to Home Depot corporate office, local home depot store (att: manager), A&E corporate office, A&E local office, and to Whirpool customer relations. Upon threat of suit, HOme Depot gave me a refund.
You can't imagine what a nightmare Home Depot was. Manager would never return my calls, rude associates, and made up policy of "non-repairable" condition in order to refund.
Can't tell if the machine (small holes in clothing) was due to damage from poor installation or if the machine was at fault.
Wherever you buy, make sure you can return the machine if not satisfied. This is blind item purchase.
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sssnetboy26
16 years ago
Trust me, I just had to take my mom's Duet apart to put new baffles in the drum, the thing is built like a toy. Very cheap! This was the third repair to this machine in just over two years, the door lock, the $300 ECM repair and now out of warranty, I personally had to take the entire machine apart to put the screw in the drum to hold the new baffles in place, apparently they were never put in correctly at the factory!!! Never another Whirlpool.
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keeferb
16 years ago
We have had nothing but good experiences with our purchases from Home Depot. We have purchased a refrig, freezer, and just recently a Maytag Epic washer. All deliveries were on-time and the delivery guys were very good. We love our Maytag Epic 9700 and got a great price($685) after rebates and gift cards. It is a significant upgrade over our old Kenmore/Frigidaire front load that died.
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elongrad97
16 years ago
Marlabe - I'm in your boat! After FOUR YEARS of fighting with Sears and renewing the warranty on our Calypso, they finally declared it dead this week. The U-joint is corroded so badly (and the Sears tech "replaced it two weeks ago), that the tech said it was the original. I know we have replaced it once before. So they are replacing the machine and I'm looking at the Epic as well. I can't get the LG because I have a second floor laundry room and it's too heavy.

This is what my Calypso was doing:
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misticdrive
16 years ago
You know, ssnetboy, your ongoing rant against Whirlpool is tiresome. The Whirlpool front-loaders top the Consumer Reports reliability ratings. They get the highest rating from Consumer Reports for washing performance. Your wonderful, overpriced Miele, incidentally, is ranked dead last--the most expensive machine tested.

I suppose someone who would pay $1800 for a machine just to wash clothes would feel compelled to go on every internet forum imaginable to in some way attempt to justify such an outrageous expenditure. But enough is enough. Capisce?
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jimlaw
16 years ago
could not be happier with my samsung VRT,i sure its quieter than all modelsstated above
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rich1970
16 years ago
I can't really recommend the LG washer. I've owned mine (Model WM2277) for just over 2 years and I've had it repaired 6 times. Each time they need parts, I'm told the parts are on back order and it takes about 4 weeks to get them in.

Needless to say, I'm in the market for a new machine. I've not had good luck with LG (one DVD player dead in under 12 months, 1 TV purchased back by LG after it self destructed after 45 days of ownership).
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crooks101
16 years ago
Ah, been wondering when the CR's rating of Miele would be mentioned. I have subscribed to CR for over 30 years. It has its place and value.

Unfortunately, they have their opinion that a washing machine has to have large capacity. If you don't, then you get down rated. Also, I suspect some unknown matrix of cost/performance/function to make it really hard to figure their rating system. I suspect even the IEC 4 CF W48xx would get dinged, somehow.

So this is not the first time, one might have to ignore CR numeric rating, if you put a value on some aspect outside the norm ( or if I dare say, know more or value your ability to rate your own values).

For example, at one time they took the position that all sports/luxury cars were unnecessary and overpriced. Therefore, they did even bother to rate them. Now they do- even the Corvette and even higher priced cars. Did not stop me from buying an unrated Audi or BMW?

Same for digital cameras. Go look at my Nikon D200 in this month's CR issue. It has more "red dots", got the highest image quality (is that important for a camera?), yet CR rates it mid-pack.

I suspect the cost. Who knows, who cares, is the point? If you know a lot about digital cameras and have other sources- like perhaps a good forums review sites - like the one Amazon just bought.
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kenmorewasher
16 years ago
Maytag Epic 9700 washer and 9700 dryer.
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sssnetboy26
16 years ago
Good point crooks101, I take consumer reports' opinion with a grain of salt to some extent. I did buy the Duet 9460 for my mom based on the good ratings and she is happy with it.
The only reason Miele ranks so low is the capacity\price issue. However, are they really comparing apples to apples? When you are comparing 2 cubic foot machine to machines with 3.8-4.0 cubic feet, I think not. They are also still reporting Maytag as having below average reliability, failing to take into account the Whirlpool aquisition. The Epic is basically a re-branded Duet, so Maytag's reliability should be in line with Whirlpool going into the future.

misticdrive:

I have every right to rant about Whirlpool because I bought the one my mother has had to repair three times in two years, so essentially I own it. I got stuck doing the third repair and was not happy about it. I don't have to justify anything to anyone, I bought the best for myself and it has been worth every penny! Stainless steel baffles and all! LOL ;) I really was just being sarcastic. I apologize if I offended anyone.

From all the research I have done, I would definately bet on the Epic being more reliable than the LG's. Plus, it sure seems easy to get service for the Duet\Epic! :)~
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luvmylg
16 years ago
misticdrive says:
The Whirlpool front-loaders top the Consumer Reports reliability ratings. They get the highest rating from Consumer Reports for washing performance.

What year was that? It certainly was not this year, LG has that honor. In its defense though, my brother-in-law has one and he could not be happier with it's performance. It's on the second floor and very quiet too. I have used it when I visited and it washed my clothes fine.

sssnetboy26 writes:
From all the research I have done, I would definately bet on the Epic being more reliable than the LG's. Plus, it sure seems easy to get service for the Duet\Epic! :)~

Do some more research. The knock on LG's is "when" they break, there has been some service issues. The knock on Epics is that.....THEY ARE ALWAYS BROKEN!
LG is still the new kid on the block compared to Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore etc. I look for them to have it together shortly.
FWIW I had service to come out and look at my dryer (turned out to be nothing) but they were there in two days, bright and early at 9am sharp!
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Maytag Epic or LG Steamwasher

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kayesrus

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