deal for front-loading washer/dryer pair?

[chene]

greetings,

I'm in the market for a pair of washer/dryer and I would like some inputs from the fellows in this forum.

From my limited research so far, it looks like Kenmore (from sears) HE2 is a good buy. It is reportedly to be a clone of the Whirlpool Duet, which is highly regarded. LG is also reportedly to be very good, but they are quite expensive.

My budget is around $1500. I have a small family but we are looking for a mid-size washer (3.x cu. ft.). Can someone please comment/recommand the following:

1) is Kenmore HE2 really a clone of Whirlpool Duet, but costs less?
2) any general recommendation of which model to buy, in terms of water/electricity usage, and
3) which store (FS, Sears, Brick) should I buy from and why?

Any help is very much appreciated,

[cellarboy]

The HE2 is a clone of the Whirlpool Duet Sport, not the Duet. They also have a HE2+ which is actually closer to the Whirlpool model, the HE2 is being cleared out, but is still only slightly less expensive than the Whirlpool, the HE2+ is at least as expensive if not more so than the Whirlpool.

The HE2 is ok, but I'm not sure it's completely worth the money.

Futureshop had the Duet (not sport) which is higher end and somewhat larger, for less than my wife and I paid for the HE a month ago when I looked this weekend.

[shoppingmama]

That's a small budget for a good front loading set. We spent $3000 and got the Bosch set. I would highly recommend buying at Sears, I know that right now they have their Warehouse Sale and they had W/D sets on for a really good deal today (floor models), each store will vary but if you have a Sears home store near you try them first.

I would steer clear of the Brick. Sears will match anyones price too.

[chene]

hi there,

thank you for the replies.

I'm beginning to realize that $1500 may not be sufficient for a decent pair of front-loading W/D. There is a pair of Fridgdaire at The Brick for $1200 but it looks like it is an older model and has not gotten much positive reviews.

Local Sears (Kingston) has Kenmore HE2 for $1700 and HE2+ for $1800, matching dryer, of course. On Futureshop, both Duet and Duet Sports are $2000, Duet being having a $300 discount.

If it is true that HE2/HE2+ are clones of Duet Sports/Duet, then perhaps HE2/HE2+ are better buy?

Any other recommendation?

I am also eyeing on LG. Their user reports are very positive on the net and their realibility is supposedly very high. But they are also much more expensive.

any help is very much appreciated,

[vessa]

well there is a sears outlet in rexdale, i've never bought appliances there, but they always seem to sell lots. I got mine from an auction in fort erie brand new, had a coupla scratches on back so i got new $1500 front load washer for $450. gst included i think too. can't remember the name but if you google it i don't think there will be too many pop up for fort erie. might be on or near garrison road? not too sure.