I would like to start by saying that I am a single mom with two small children at home. I don't have oodles of money to spend.
I purchased a second hand washer and gas dryer from Progressive Refrigeration on 3-18-10. I paid $500.00 tax, bringing the total to $540.50.in my opinion, this was a little pricey, since the machines were 16 years old. But, they are Speed Queen built Amanas which is a proven design, and built to last. I also received free delivery and installation, as well as a 1 year limited warranty. (Full coverage for 30 days, after 30 days a $35 service call fee would be due.) The machines were delivered and only the washer was hooked up as there was no gas valve for the dryer at the time. (Not a problem with this company. This was my landlords responsibility.)
After about 7 loads, the dryer began making a small "chirping" noise. This is indicative of a belt needing to be changed. I ran another load, and the chirping turned into the horribly loud screeching of metal-to-metal grinding.
I called the company and was informed that as my dryer vent is too long, lint was blowing back into the dryer causing the lint to "wick" the grease out of the bearings, which was causing the noise. The service manager informed me that they would come out as a courtesy and lube the bearings, and while they were there they would give me a free estimate to correct the venting issue. He also added that with my dryer vent being so long, and making a few turns, that carbon monoxide was likely to leak from my vent, through my wall, and suffocate myself and my children. Therefore, it was definitely in my best interest for me to have that vent replaced.
The technician came out (after quite a bit of hassle with them not showing up when they said they would), lubed the bearing and the dyer worked again for about 7 loads before it started screeching again. I called back on Saturday, April 9th and was put in the schedule for Monday morning. When I called them this morning to see if they were going to make it, I was informed that until my vent was fixed, they were NOT going to be servicing the dryer. The service manager was 100% certain (although he has never been to my house) that lint blowing back into the dryer was sucking the grease out of the bearings, which was causing the noise.
At this point, I informed the service manager again that I have been in the appliance business for approximately 10 years. This includes parts research, warranty claims as well as the sale and repair of both new and used machines. Not to mention, my mother runs a very successful repair business in Chino Valley, Arizona, and between herself and my step-father have 50 years of experience.in fact, my first word was "thermostat".
There are several incorrect facts with what this person was telling me.
1. Excessively long dryer vents DO NOT cause noisy dryers. They cause restrictions which cause long dry times, or no heat.
2. Long dryer vents DO NOT, under any circumstances leak carbon monoxide. If a gas dryer is functioning properly, there is so little carbon monoxide emission that it is considered by the GAS COMPANY to be non-existent. (Otherwise, everyone with a two-story whose laundry is on the first floor would be dead.)
3. Bearings in a dryer should never be lubed. They should be replaced. And the part in question is not a bearing. It is a roller, with a grease-impregnated bearing seated in the middle. Thus, no lube, grease, or oil is ever required. (It's already there.)
After about a half an hour on the phone with this very rude individual, I decided I did not want such a person in my home repairing anything. There are only two possibilities here. Either he has no idea what he is doing, or he is in the wonderful art of scamming people. It doesn't really matter to me.
The dryer now works beautifully since I decided it was entirely easier to go ahead and fix it myself. I shouldn't have had to, since it did come with a warranty. But Progressive Refrigeration does not honor their warranties. So, Buyer Beware of this company!!! You will be overcharged, misinformed, and no guarantees promised will be honored!
Oh, and in case you're wondering, the roller did need to be replaced. But that's not what was causing the horrible screeching noise. The glides on the front of the drum were worn out. It was quite apparent by the large pile of metal shavings in the front of the dryer cabinet. I also replaced the belt for good measure. It was a bit frayed on the edges and cracked in some places.
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