Sears Kenmore Elite top loading automatic washer with Catalyst cleaning action

This is to make a complaint about the Sears Kenmore

Elite top loading

automatic washer with Catalyst cleaning action that I

bought in

February 2002. It started developing problems with

cleaning, such as

not getting clothes clean and bleach drips on

subsequent loads. I

thought for months that I was doing something wrong,

but then noticed

one day that a solution of soap and heavy rust was

coming in to the

machine when I opened it after the cleaning cycle

started.

It was extremely difficult to make a complaint to

Sears, with

complicated phone menus and operators telling me they

never heard of

this complaint. I was notified that internal rust was

not covered

under the lifetime warranty section. I did not get an

extended

warranty as I usually get at least 15 years of wear

out of my

appliances with no problem.

Sears finally assigned me a case number and stated I

could have

10%off a new washer, or a free service call, with the

possibility

that an "exceptional part" would be found that would

be covered for

the life of the appliance.

I cannot imagine how they would think that a machine

that does 3

washes a week, and with the washer placed in a

kitchen, would develop

widespread internal rust, and that this would be a

reasonable outcome

after 5 and a half years. I assumed that the body of

the machine

would be an "exceptional part" but Sears did not see

it that way.

I saw the inside of the machine when the technician

came, and it was

obvious even to me that there is a serious design flaw

that traps

water against the metal, eventually causing it to

rust. I understand

that there has been a class action suit regarding a

similar Whirlpool machine.

I am about to buy another machine from a small store,

and will never

deal with Sears again. Cheryl Levin

____________________________________________________________________________________

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Comment On This

You must have bought the one that is our sister washer. We had ours worked on 4 to 5 times the first year and this is a second home and we are there 30 to 40 days a year. Now it has broken done with the error 1 for the second time this year and sears just told me to sell it and buy and new one because the new ones do not have the same problems anymore. So even Sears think they are BAD. I called 1-888-536-6673 and a manager would not even get on the phone.

Sears should go for a ballout if they think that we are going to keep buying their crap.

Comment On This

I have a kenmore calypso washer that has been repaired four times and yet needs repaired again. I feel your frustration as I missed a half a day of work to be here when the tech was due and get a phone call 2 hours later saying my appointment was canceled. When I called Sears, I was told I could reschedule but my appointment was a request and could not be guaranteed. And yet I have to wait during the 4 hour window and hope the tech shows up. Sears is not the family name I have come to expect and I will not be honoring Sears with my business ever!!