posted on
November 12, 2009 at 12:04PM
1: The consequences of opening the lid have been changed with software alterations.
2: It now fills to the next highest level, instead of doing a max fill.
3: Regardless of the machine, the cycle should be paused before opening the lid. That doesn't mean people do it, just like not everyone wears a seat belt.
4: Every one of these machines has a yellow sticker that gives a basic explanation of this feature, and it is located on the fabric softener dispenser. It also explains that detergent must be added before garments.
5: The Whirlpool and Maytag branded models ran on the same technology, and have had the same alterations to their software. But, because Sears is the retailer and is the visible face of the Kenmore brand, the Kenmore products got the brunt of the blowback.
6: The Kenmore Oasis #28032 locks the lid during the wash cycle, so opening the lid during wash is not a possibility without stopping the cycle. The machine locks the lid to prevent user harm during high speed spin cycles. Without the high speeds that the Oasis has, there wasn't a safety concern with the more conventional Energy Star models. Hence no locks. And people who use front-loaders somehow manage to use their machines without freaking out about not being able to put clothes in willy-nilly at any point of the wash cycle. Are top-loader users somehow differently-abled? I should think not. Are they unable to learn? I should HOPE not! I try to give people as much credit as they are reasonably due, and I should think that, if something is explained to them in person, online, on the machine, and in the manual, that it would sink in at least a little. Maybe I'm idealistic. Maybe I'm naive.
7: If anything, the load sensor is explained far more often with the 800 series and similar WP/MT brand products, to help PREVENT disgruntled customers who end up returning products. A returned product is wasted time and money for the customer, and lost revenue for the company, and lost commission for the salesperson. It would be extremely foolish to hide one of the core features of the machine to maintain a customer's ignorance, and vastly increase the odds of a return. Where, exactly, is the benefit in that equation?
8: At $799 for the washer/dryer pair, it's a ridiculously hot buy. With a minimal amount of learning curve and a slight change of habits (or, in some cases, the fear of a lost ability that was never exercised in the first place), anybody in the market for a top-loader that saves water and energy while cleaning clothes well would be wise to take advantage of such a fantastic bargain.
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