I am extremely disappointed by the lack of quality products produced and sold by Sears. My family and I have been strong supporters of Sears for many years (I have purchased a washing machine, dish washer and fridge in the last 2.5 years alone) but that has all changed forever!
We purchased the Kenmore Elite Oasis HE Model 110.27082603 on 7/15/07 for $1,066.19. The installation was not without problems, but fortunately they did get resolved. While we really enjoyed the reduction in water usage we noted from the very beginning that the washing machine was very loud — which we assumed was the result of not having an agitator. About a year after we had the machine, we started getting the dreaded F1 code, plus it would turn on by itself and try to spin (sometimes at 3 A.M.). If it were not for the fact that I did an internet search on the F1 code, I would never have known there was a recall on the circuit board for our machine. I called Sears and they determined we were 'eligible' to receive the board (gee, how thoughtful) and then told us it would be about three weeks for the part and once we had it THEN we could schedule a technician to come out and install. What I did not learn at that time was that the 'warranty' on the replacement board was only for three months from the date of installation.
Initially the F1 code problem was fixed, but we eventually started to get it again (although much less frequently) but the machine continued to try to turn itself on to spin at least once a week. I have since learned that problem is directly connected to a second circuit board which is NOT part of any recall. I also learned that we are no longer eligible to receive help with our F1 code; because that board was only under warrantee for 90 days. Unfortunately, that is not even the worst of it.
We discovered a leak from the bottom of our machine a few weeks ago, which spilled over the tray and into our ceiling below resulting in drywall damage & water damage to our wood floors. The technician who came out yesterday informed me that the leak is a result of the bearings being bad; and that the loud spinning cycle was an indication. I explained to him that the machine has sounded that way since it was delivered and he did not comment. The problem with the machine trying to turn on is because the second circuit board is bad and that for approximately $732.00 they could fix all these problems. Keep in mind it is not three years old yet and we paid $1,066.19 for it. If we were foolish enough to fix it, the parts or labor would NOT be under warrantee so we could potentially run into the same problem again. Oh, and by the way, the visit from the tech (which we had to wait 10 days for) cost us $129.00 — meanwhile my washing machine is still broken. Now, I have to buy a whole new machine (somewhere else of course) because Sears' position is that it is out of warranty.
It is safe to say that I will never buy a single product from Sears again and I will make sure everyone that I come into contact with knows about our experience with them. I read where people say they have had their machine machines for 20-30 years and all I can say is "they don't make 'em like they used to!" It is all mass production, junk parts that interchange from one machine into another with too much circuitry in close contact with water & heat to be dependable.
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