I have an AWN 542 being delivered this afternoon. I debated about the 950 Bravos and this one, thought about a Duet too but not too seriously. Speed Queen was more money than I wanted to spend but less than I expected to have to spend. No heater which I wanted but in reality, I've lived without one this long, I'm not worried about it. I can still get a hot wash. I was leaning toward the Speed Queen and looked at Bravos. They had sales and rebates going but no rebate on the 950. The decision maker for me was the other night when some thunder and lightning went through and it occurred to me that there's another expense for a surge/spike control for an electronic unit. Not as likely to be impacted on a mechanical controlled unit. Plus the perk is that I have a BUNCH of non-HE laundry detergent and I'd hate to have to dump it. So all in all, I'm probably coming out $300+ cheaper and getting what has the reputation to be a much more solidly built unit. Actually, it'd probably be closer to $500 since I probably would feel a need to get a service contract on the Bravos which I see no need for on the Queen. The sales guy didn't even try to sell me one! THAT was a surprise. He said they sell a lot of them and he doesn't even know of a service call on one. To me, that said a lot, not so much that they haven't had service calls but that he didn't even try to push a contract. I'm looking forward to giving it a workout. And I have a lot of laundry built up so it'll get worked over. BTW, did anyone else get the caution to clean the tub before using it? The dealer said to, and had a caution tag they printed and put on the units to wash the tub down with "something like 409". He said that Speed Queen puts a coating on the tub at the factory and needs to be cleaned off before using. Also to be careful what's in the first load or two - not to make it white shirts or something. So I have the cleaner out, will be ready to wash the washer before washing clothes. The replacement is for my 34 year old avocado green JC Penney branded GE washer that died last week. Shouldn't that still be under warranty? BTW the only repair needed on that one in its life (until last week) was a 25â hose clamp. The clamp on there lost tension after about 25 years. I figure I've almost gotten my money's worth out of it. I'll probably miss that old workhorse but hopefully Speedy will treat me well too. They claim a 25 year life and that they've been tested to 10,400 washloads. I don't think I'll count them though. While I think of it, for the folks with a 542, what's the water level like on a full load? I've heard rumors, don't remember where, that said they toned down the water level because of gu'mint regs. True or not? I understand there's an adjustment for it to turn it back up if needed but I'm wondering if there's any truth to the rumor or not.

Yep wipe it out good with a degreaser..if you use white rags you will know when its clean..it will have polishing compound on them...also delivery install people never ever know but you must add at least a half gal of water to the tub prior to turning it on the first time, I'd have the water ready and tell install crew its in the manual to do this. Good luck..you got yourself some fine machines

That's a good price. I paid around 1600 for a set of 542 and matching gas dryer about four yrs. ago. The 412 is the most very basic model. Doesn't even have a second rinse opt. But still is a great machine and will last a very long time.

Aww MamaP. Great news and kudos to you going without a dryer for so long. I've had to do that always for 6 week stretches and in the winter one runs out of places to hang things to dry indoors--at least at my house. It would drive me to madness. I'm sure it was a balancing act for you and yours. I hope your propane tank stays full for a long time and your dryer is a good sport indefinitely now. I'm disappointed a SQ dryer had a malfunction so soon. They are not economy priced machines.