Appliances - The good, The bad, The ugly?

This house came with a matching set 1962 Frigidaire stove and fridge. Both worked great so as a cash strapped new homeowner we used them. After living here 10 years the fridge was replaced because it was getting lazy on its defrosting the freezer and I thought it was a power hog (Turns out, not so. New one used a bit more) I replaced it with a new Whirlpool which puked a fan motor right after the warranty expired...cost me $30 to DIY repair it.
Oh, and the Frigidaire did 9 more years service in the basement as a "overflow" fridge before being sold to someone looking for a working vintage fridge ($100)
The stove was replaced after I lived here 12 years...went to a vintage appliance nut too...it needed a burner control...think I got $50 out of that one. The new one has been so far so good...7 years now.

 

Old or Vintage appliances have an advantage, it is the KISS princpal.

 

We really have gotten away from "Style" it seems. Automobiles are another glaring example IMO.

 

A lot of different opinions. As for me, never again Frigidaire or Sears product.
Frigidaire: When I was married the first time 44 years ago, the house trailer we bought came with Frigidaire appliances. The refrigerator crapped out 2 months after warranty. The washer and drier lasted 2 1/2 years. After 35 years of no Frigidaire products I gave them another try. That refrigerator lasted about 2 years. It was still running, but was having defrost problems. It would leak water when defrosting all over my new hardwood floor. It left here.
Sears: Bought a freezer that pooped out at 1 year and 1 month. Warranty was a year.
It just galls me when they try to sell me an extended warranty. If their product is any good, why do I need to pay for extended warranty? If it doesn't last, I don't buy their product again.
I have had good luck with Whirlpool, GE and Roper.
Present appliances:
Stove: GE 10 years old and no problems. It replaced a 15 year old Roper
Refrigerators: Main is a Whirlpool and is 2 years old and no problems.
Beer refrigerator is Whirlpool and is 12 years old with no problems.
Freezer: The big chest freezer is 1950s vintage and I have not had it plugged in since I stopped raising cattle 6 years ago. I am sure it would still run if I plugged it in. The only label I see on it is Home Freezer.
The smaller chest freezer is I believe a Frigidaire that we bought 38 years ago when we first got married. It is running although it looks like crap.
The upright is a Frigidaire. Yes Frigidaire. It was a Craig's List find for $40 2 months ago.
Stove: Present stove is a GE and is about 5 years old. It replaced a 15 year old, I believe, Roper.
Dish washer is a 1 year old Bosch. So far I am very satisfied with it. It replaced a 12 year old GE.
I have to agree with one of the other posters older is better, They don't make them like they use to.

 

It seems to be that way with a lot of things anymore. Shame. I don't want to be a part of the "throwaway" society we are becoming.

If anything, I think I will stick with the lower end models without all the gadgets and extras moving forwards. I believe there is a fridge out now that has cameras in it so you can see what's in there without having to get off the couch. *sigh*

 

I hate the "throw away society" also, but that is what we have. It costs 20% to 30% of new to get it repaired. I to tend to go with bottom line with no bells and whistles. Although the Bosch dishwasher was a little pricey.

 

Actually, they try to sell you extended warranty to make money because they don't expect to have to pay out on it.

The higher the price of the warranty (compared to the price of the new item), the more they expect to have to make good on it. I've seen items where a 3 year warranty is dang near the cost of new. Then other items the warranty is almost nothing for 3 years - those are the things I try to buy.

 

The extended warranty even existing is cause for alarm to me. It tells me that the manufacturer is "betting" on the quality of their products with the purchaser. Your theory is likely 100% correct. If using quality components, the likelihood of them having to pay out is lower, so the warranty cost is lower...less of a gamble.