Did I mess up buying this washer?

We have the Calypso, basically the same washer but they retooled it a little and changed the name when they got hit with a class-action lawsuit over the product quality.  Don't buy it!  There are other brands and other stores offering great prices right now.

As has been mentioned NUMEROUS times in MANY different threads, the washers have been totally redesigned and do not have the problems of the older units. My sister-in-law LOVES her Oasis, and I bought a similar one on her recommendation.

Other brands have also had problems. This is a new generation in he washers ... a good time to buy. Relax, you got a good one.

3rd control board 400+ $ in parts N service 6 hours on phone with 25 people in many different countries  2:30 am suds detected no rinse load alarm going off

wont drain etc this is with new 165.00 board

DON'T BUY THE 'WATER SENSOR' 800 SERIES KENMORE.

We like to control our own water level and if one opens during cycle it then FILLS to TOP.  crazy.  who designed this?  I sent mine back; used it ONCE. $526.00 !!

I want the QUIET one but not at the cost of water...

I've decide I'm taking it, I was hoping some of those things have been addressed.

Thanks for the reply.

russellc

You'll be pleased with your new washer. The issues with the older machines have been addressed and are no longer a problem. If there was anything inherently problematic with the machine, I wouldn't have sold it to one of our store's managers as well as her brother.

My sister-in-law also has the newer Kenmore Oasis Washer and Dryer and have to say that she does not like either of the units and is very unhappy with the purchase.  I know that the washer twists the laundry badly and clothing has been ripped.  Due to my personal experiences I would never recommend either unit. If issues which were problematic on older machines have been addressed then why doesn't Sears replace our 2 1/2 - 3 year old machines or replace the control board or other parts in washer and dryers when the same part fails repeatedly? Yes, the control board in the washer has been replaced but rust under the lid, clothes being ripped, etc.  As for the dryer, I said enough in another post in another thread here but to quickly describe that piece of equipment in computer terms "GIGO: garbage in = garbage out".  Sorry...but I really do hope that the new machines have been redesigned so that they don't fail as soon as the originals.  If there was a need to redesign (which, of course there was) and if that has been successful, then why not replace the GIGO units with these  redesigned ones and throw in a free extended warranty as a good faith effort.  I know that I would not take a chance and buy the Kenmore Elite Oasis or Cabrio line. I am considering Speed Queen when I purchase my next set which will be much sooner than I would have expected.

Anyone who has damaged clothing, or motherboard issues have an older machine, which was part of a class action lawsuit some time back.

The newer machines have been completely revamped, and do not have the problems the earlier models have.

If you have any doubts as to the quality of the appliance, use the first year to save up for an MPA. (Master Protection Agreement).  They normally cost less than one service call, which, at somewhere around $100.00/hr labor these days, adds up to a massive expense quickly.

That way, if anything does go wrong, it the job of taking care of it is squarely on Sears' shoulders.

 I recently purchased a new Kenmore Elite Oasis washing machine to replace my "Calypso" machine, but it does have one design flaw that I wanted to bring to your attention.

 Due to my prior negative experience with the Calypso machine's washing action, I chose to purchase the Oasis with the agitator in the tub.  Now I'm wishing that I purchased the model without the agitator.  There is a space between the bottom of the tub and the grey "fins" located on the bottom of the agitator.  Strings from hooded sweatshirts and drawstring pants get caught between this space and the bottom of the fins, and then manage to tie up in knots along with most of the clothes around them.

This was one of the problems that the Calypso had; clothes in knots...I'm not sure what can be done to fix this problem now, but maybe in the future they could change the design? 

My washing machine before the Calypso was a third time hand-me-down that worked for over 30 years.  Why can't we make things to last like that anymore?

Usually, for items with loose drawstrings, the best thing to do is tie the strings in a bow before putting them into the washer, or load them inside-out, so the drawstrings are inside the garment. Loose strings are vulnerable to catching hold in many machines.

I had the control board replaced in my washer for free but that does not address the multiple problems with the dryer and the rusting under the washer lid and I am not alone with experiencing these problems. There are innumerable complaints regarding the washer and dryer (Oasis and Cabrio lines) posted on the internet (some as recent as November 2009). Some people indicated that even after having the control board replaced in the washer, the problems were NOT resolved or the washer worked fine for awhile and then problems reoccurred. Some have had the control board replaced in their dryer multiple times with the same problem also reoccurring. As for purchasing the MPA, one should not have to pay an additional large sum of money (I believe it was @ $300+ per unit) to cover these items. I would expect both a washer and dryer to last much longer than 2-3 years. In addition, I do have extended warranties on other appliances I purchased at about the same time that I purchased the Oasis set but these warranties were more reasonably priced.  If one has doubts about the quality of merchandise then maybe it is best not to buy that merchandise.  By the way, my sister-in-law's washer, which I indicated has ripped clothing, is NOT one of the older machines.  It's great that some are happy with their machines and seemingly have no problems at this time.  Hope that this continues for them. Still feel that Whirlpool and then Sears/Kenmore need to step up to the plate and do something since they know that these "older" machines are flawed. It's even being stated here that the newer machines have been revamped and don't have the problems that the earlier models have. A free control board replacement has not necessarily been the answer for all problems with the earlier washers and the problems with the earlier dryers have been ignored and only get fixed if someone has the MPA or if someone wants to spend money on their own to have it checked and fixed and then hope that the fix lasts.

Well, I took delivery of the Oasis washer.  The delivery was quick, and in fact they called me that morning and were able to come about 30 mins earlier than planned, if that was OK with me, which it was.  They quickly removed my old washer and installed the new one, maybe 20 mins total.

While I have only had this washer for a month, so far I am extremely pleased with it.  I havent had it long enough to determine how reliable it is, but it cleans clothes better than any washer I've owned, and leaves them extremely "fresh" smelling.  The "Whitest Whites" setting was tested on some old white dress shirts, and the way it removed collar grunge was impressive.  I havent had the cloths twisting problems many have complained of, but I have had that happen in other washers from time to time, so I imagine it will happen at some point, but it doesnt seem to be a problem so far.

I did buy the repair agrement deal, it seems stupid to me to spend almost a grand on a washer and then have to pay a couple of hundred to repair it, but if it suddenly dies and they offer me nothing, it'll really make me feel stupid.  Plus I'm a lawyer and could use a good class action suit!  (Just kidding, for now I am super pleased with this washer, and hope it proves reliable.  I take good care of things and read all info/manuals/etc completely, I am sure this will help with its proper functioning.  So far, So good with the Oasis......

Russellc

Be sure to leave a review when you've used it enough to feel like you know its ins and outs. You've got a great washing machine.

Like I said, right now, I couldnt be more pleased.  If it proves reliable, I'll be sure to post, same if it doesnt.  I bought the 3 yr agreement.  Is there a time frame where I can up grade to the 5 year agreement?

Thanks,

Russellc

You may upgrade at any time, as far as I know.

dmsg said…

 I recently purchased a new Kenmore Elite Oasis washing machine to replace my "Calypso" machine, but it does have one design flaw that I wanted to bring to your attention.

 Due to my prior negative experience with the Calypso machine's washing action, I chose to purchase the Oasis with the agitator in the tub.  Now I'm wishing that I purchased the model without the agitator.  There is a space between the bottom of the tub and the grey "fins" located on the bottom of the agitator.  Strings from hooded sweatshirts and drawstring pants get caught between this space and the bottom of the fins, and then manage to tie up in knots along with most of the clothes around them.

This was one of the problems that the Calypso had; clothes in knots...I'm not sure what can be done to fix this problem now, but maybe in the future they could change the design? 

My washing machine before the Calypso was a third time hand-me-down that worked for over 30 years.  Why can't we make things to last like that anymore?

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I dont know. When my grandmother died, they removed her still working refridgerator, one of the little old ones on legs with the cooling deal on top.

It had run perfectly since the day it was purchased, 30-40 yrs ago at least! Her washing machine, while "powered" by electricity, still had wringers on it.  Never a problem.  Of course it had no digital doo hickys on it and no spin cycle, only wringers...

Russellc

I have the Oasis without the agitator, and it works great.  That said

Had to be older than that. 30-40 years ago is only 1970-1980. Those refrigerators were in the 1940s or 1950s.

You are correct.  It was one of the original in home refridgerators.  It was there all my life that I remember and I'm 54, so I under shot it a bit.  Prior to that, ( and way before me) they had an actual Ice box, which used ice which the ice man brought.

Saw your review for your new washing machine but it wasn't for an Oasis.  Instead it was a review for a Whirlpool 4.0 I.E.C. Super Capacity.  Picture of machine shows top loader with manual dials and none of the special effects type LED lights like on the Oasis.  I am assuming you either reviewed the wrong machine or did not get an Oasis???

There are a large quantity of negative reviews on the Oasis and not just for the older models. Don't know what model you actually have but if you have the Oasis, good luck. As for Sear's extended warranty, in my opinion, it's overpriced.  When it comes to the problems with the Oasis, whether or not one has an extended warranty, customer disservice seems to be the general rule.

Russellc said…

Like I said, right now, I couldnt be more pleased.  If it proves reliable, I'll be sure to post, same if it doesnt.  I bought the 3 yr agreement.  Is there a time frame where I can up grade to the 5 year agreement?

 

 

 

Thanks,

Russellc

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Think you bought a great item. If you have any concerns you can still take advantage of the Sears Master Protection Agreement which covers EVERYTHING. This can still be added to your purchase for peace of mind. You can leave a message at 832-476-8046 to inquire about ordering a MPA just reference your salescheck/receipt number and ask for further assistance in purchasing an agreement over the phone. Also ref. #46417 so the original receipt and item can be merged together in Sears Holdings system for any future issues you may have.

46417