looking for washer & dryer - consolation prize

[dagibbs]

So, last night I went looking for a washer & dryer. My appliances are old, still mostly functioning, but they occasionally deposit little stains on my clothers. The front-loading washers are nice, but bloody expensive, are they really worth the extra $500-1000? And, even non front loading are moderately expensive, and pretty boring, one is much like another. Buying a fridge was much more interesting -- a lot more differences between the various models, at least, a lot more differences that actually meant something rather than being unimportant, like the color of the dials. I didn't find anything that inspired me.

So, as a consolation, I went to the Chapters that was right next door to the two appliance stores that I had visitted. Found stuff to buy there. I bought:

• Narcissus in Chains - Laurell K. Hamilton. I've read it, but in a borrowed hardcover.
  
• War of Honor - David Weber. The latest Honor Harrington novel.
  
• The Paths of the Dead and The Lord of Castle Black - Steven Brust. Parts 1 and 2 of the 3rd volume of the trilogy that started with The Phoenix Guards. These are a Dumas pastiche, and the first two were a lot of fun.
  
• Angelmass - Timothy Zahn
  
• The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold. I have this in paperback, this was a discounted HC. Gives me a loaner copy.
  
• Ventus - Karl Schroeder. He's a Canadian author who has won an Aurora award, decided to give him a try with another discounted HC.
  
• The Year's Best Science Fiction - Twentieth Annual Collection - Gardner Dozois (ed). I've been buying this series as they come out for a while now. A very good, large, collection of 2002's short SF.
  
  
  Oooo books!

Comments

[concordantnexus.livejournal.com]

that's a really nice haul! :)

mind you I can just *hear* Lorayne renewed complaining about the washer & dryer's spottiness (although don't tell her I said that, she'll swat me for suggesting as much)

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Actually, Lorayne complained because I didn't get EITHER of the new Laurel K. Hamilton novels. (Which were both only available in hardcover.)

[concordantnexus.livejournal.com]

*snickers*

oh wait - did you say either? does that mean that there's a new Anita Blake out?!!!!

[concordantnexus.livejournal.com]

http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/Plain.html

bah you tease! I already have Cerulean Sins - thought it was too early for the next one

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Yes, I meant Cerulean Sins, which is still in HC, not softcover. I'm waiting.

I know I'm a bad boy.

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

About washers and dryers: Ten years ago, I got an apartment that had a washer hook-up, but no washer. My landlord said I could obtain a washer, and take it with me when I left, but she was having no part of it. I looked at a bunch of washers, and finally actually went in debt to get a high-capacity, heavy duty washer (top loading). It has been actually almost 11 years now, and it has never needed a repair. I'm not sure anyone has even done things like oiling it. It has just done the laundry week in and week out through half a dozen moves.

In my opinion, it is worth the money to get a heavy duty washer. I think the washer cost around $600 waybackwhen; that works out to about $1 per week - and it's still going strong. The difference between the heavy duty machines and the ordiary ones is quality of parts. The low-end machines use a lesser grade of metal, and even plastic parts, which fail sooner. I vote for paying for quality now, rather than paying for repairs later.

I *want* a front-load machine; I want the ability to wash comforters and drapes and sleeping bags without going to the laundromat, which isn't an option with the agitator in the middle of the washer. But I have a real problem getting a new appliance when the one I have isn't broken.

Your new washer will be with you a long time. Buy a good one.

[foms.livejournal.com]

Con_girl did a bit of research into washers before we bought (2-3 years ago). We have a subscription to Consumer Reports.

[elizilla]

The front loading machines will save you money over time. They use less water and less detergent, but the really big savings is the fact that they put less wear and tear on your clothing. Clothes are expensive. You're an adult, you're not outgrowing them. And you're not a fashion hound; you don't jettison your whole wardrobe every season to get this year's versions. If a pair of jeans lasts you twice as long because of the front loading washer, that's at least $30 right there.