F-11 again...?
By polachicago
@polachicago (18716)
United States
January 31, 2010 4:51pm CST
Four years ago I bought new washer by Sears. It was very expensive.
Last year my washer start showing F 11 with blinking.
When I called Sears, they did not wanted to help me over the phone, because I didn't have protection plan(!!!)
When repair service arrived, they said that part I need may cost me $550 (!)...however I was lucky, my washer stared again
When technician restarted inside computer. I paid $95 (for service call).he recommended protection plan, so I bought protection plan for one year for $130 (but
I wish I didn't). I have learn that my washer has 2 computers inside.
Few months later, my washer stopped working again with the same F11 message.
This time I get help over the phone(because of protection plan).
They told me to disconnect washer from the outlet for 60 seconds (why the hell they couldn't help me over the phone the first time?).
It didn't help.
New technician come in and did the same trick with restarting the computer. The problem is that computer connection is inside the washer, so is hard to do it myself.
Today I am back to F11........
I hate washers from Sears. I think it is huge scam. I paid almost $1300 for something that is working on computers.
I wish I new about luxury washers problems that Sears was hiding from me.
I spend so much money for repair, I have better buy old hand washer like my grandmother used to have.
It is me or new generation computerized equipments are not worth the money?
When I called Sears, they did not wanted to help me over the phone, because I didn't have protection plan(!!!)
When repair service arrived, they said that part I need may cost me $550 (!)...however I was lucky, my washer stared again
When technician restarted inside computer. I paid $95 (for service call).he recommended protection plan, so I bought protection plan for one year for $130 (but
I wish I didn't). I have learn that my washer has 2 computers inside.
Few months later, my washer stopped working again with the same F11 message.
This time I get help over the phone(because of protection plan).
They told me to disconnect washer from the outlet for 60 seconds (why the hell they couldn't help me over the phone the first time?).
It didn't help.
New technician come in and did the same trick with restarting the computer. The problem is that computer connection is inside the washer, so is hard to do it myself.
Today I am back to F11........
I hate washers from Sears. I think it is huge scam. I paid almost $1300 for something that is working on computers.
I wish I new about luxury washers problems that Sears was hiding from me.
I spend so much money for repair, I have better buy old hand washer like my grandmother used to have.
It is me or new generation computerized equipments are not worth the money?4 people like this
17 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Feb 10
No I dont think it is you and I think to many things run on computer thingys.
Just so you have to get tehm fixed.\
I think the kids bought the washer we have from sears back in 98 still working.
altho I like the colors and styles of the new one I think I will ask about the computer bit if we ever have to buy again!.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Feb 10
the newest one have 3 computers in because of steamer...
I am going to stay away from fancy equipment now...
@BarBaraPrz (45818)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Feb 10
My neighbor said the same thing about wringer washers just yesterday.
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
31 Jan 10
OMG Pola, that's absolutely horrible. All that money you paid, and then it doesn't even make it to five years? What I don't get with these companies, is that you buy a new product, but you're screwed if you don't get the extended warranty on it. They already know these things are going to break and I think that is the biggest ripoff there is. I think it's nothing but a scam all the way around and I wish there was something people could seriously do about it. It's just like the cars, they were made just so mechanics could work on them, and you can't. It use to be that you could fix your own car in the driveway, not no more.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Exactly!!!
It used to be time when man in the house spend Sunday repairing house equipment, not watching TV all day long...
yes, I am sitting again with tons of laundry...and no washer...
yes, I am sitting again with tons of laundry...and no washer...1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Feb 10
Thank you, I just found the site. I will read and contact them ASAP.
HUGS!
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
4 Feb 10
Thank you for BR! I hope you get some satisfaction against Sears because there are tons of complaints about them and their service. Something has to be done already with these companies ripping people off. Good Luck!
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
1 Feb 10
The more "extras" a machine has, the more it has to break down. Built-in obsolescence is the name of the game these days with most appliances cheaper to replace than to repair.
I have found that most comparison tests between machines decide that any average price machine without all the bells and whistles does the same job as the new-fangled items which are expensive to repair.
I think going back to a scrubbing board and a copper boiler (like I used when I had three young children) is a bit extreme, but a simple machine that gets things clean and uses minimum water is good enough for me.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Feb 10
I am back to scrubbing board....
Too much to be upset about, and a lot to wash.
Too much to be upset about, and a lot to wash.
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
1 Feb 10
I understand you anger! I owned and operated an appliance store for 40 years. Take heed... the more whistles and bells on an appliance, the more to go wrong! I suggest that you write to Sears headquarters and tell them your situation. We never sold service policies I figured they were a "ripoff" to the customers.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Feb 10
I think am at the point to write not only to sears but also to BBB....
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Sounds to me if u got ripped off big time right from the start. That is a ridiculous price to pay for a washer to start with. I know one thing for sure they do not make appliances like they use to. When i had to buy a new refrigerator a couple years ago the appliance mad told me they don't make them to last over 10 years use to they could last 4 times longer. I'm sorry u are having such a time w/your washer. I don't think i have ever bought an appliance from sears & after hearing your story i don't want to.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I was insane when I paid for my washer. Sanitary function was so promising, and the look so sophisticated, I didn't do my homework to check with customers review online...
Now I know that almost everyone has the same problem.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
1 Feb 10
We all learn from our mistakes usually the hard way, huh?
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
My Mum has a washer that is more computerised than mine and she absolutely HATES it! It is now out of warranty so it will cost her a lot of money for it to be repaired (it does work but it catches clothes in the drum, some fault there, and it has been known to wash clothes for 3 HOURS) so she is fed up to say the least. The problem with buying big appliances like that (our main store is called Comet) no-one can try them out in-store. It would help really, wouldn't it if there was a machine somewhere in the store that was demo'd continuously. They do it with naff kitchen products we don't really need, in the malls, so why Comet can't have a room resembling a launderette is a mystery to me, so we can try 'em all out!
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Feb 10
...tell me more...I am sitting here with F 11 and door locked, because F11 keeps the door locked...not good for my clothes...
I need to find more people to start class action against the company...
@BarBaraPrz (45818)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Feb 10
Have you tried kicking it? (Make sure you're wearing shoes.) Probably won't solve anything but you'll feel better (unless you break a toe!)
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 10
Hi Pola
The Electric Equipment is not as good anymore as they used to be
No matter what it is, all these new things like Computerized and that is just rubbish, they seem to build them to last till just after the Warranty is over and then get you to take out the Protection Plan which cost you more then
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
31 Jan 10
yes, I am going to limit my computerized equipment and go back to good old school of doing as much as possible without digital world...
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
9 Feb 10
I always buy the most basic, the most simple and that usually means the least expensive appliances. I don't need fancy. I don't need complicated...I need easy and simple and cheap. In the long run I have found that this is the best way to do things. I Have found that if something goes wrong it is simple and inexpensive to have it fixed or to repair it.
My friends experience tells me that if an appliance is costly to buy it is also costly to repair
@BarBaraPrz (45818)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Feb 10
There is something to be said for old technology... it may not be whiz-bang! but then, if it goes Bang! you can probably fix it yourself.
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
1 Feb 10
I never buy protection plans with anything electrical that I buy, because I have discovered that when I did, it cost me more than if I had had to call out a repair man. I never call the manufacturer for repairs because they get annoyed that I did not take out the repair plan and really lay it on thick with their charges. I usually find a local repair man for difficult faults, if I can't fix them myself.
We recently bought a new washer, and the company tried to tell me that I would have to pay for repairs even whilst is was still under 12 months old. I found out that that is a lie - here in the UK we are entitled to have a replacement or refund if the machine is not fit for the purpose it was made for and if anything went wrong with our machine, as a matter of principle I would do whatever it takes to get satisfaction. But so far, the machine is good. 
_Derek
_Derek@polachicago (18716)
• United States
2 Feb 10
I found the website with all information how to repair this unit. I will use my warranty and than I will try to find handyman..........
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Feb 10
The more parts there are, the more things can go wrong. My 24 year old Sears washer and dryer are still working very nicely. We had to have a repairman in only once in all that time.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
3 Feb 10
my 25 years old dryer is working fine....but my new washer is not...
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Gee what a problem you have. It becase so many things are hi-teck these days. maybe it is time to get another warsher. I hope you can get everthing fixed. I had also heard the the protection plans were scamn and not worth it.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
6 Feb 10
this washer is not old, it is hight tech, computerized washer...
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
1 Feb 10
My parents bought a brand new washer this year, because it would have cost more to repair their old one than to buy a brand new one, which does not make a whole lot of sense. They had to have a repairperson come out to the house twice since they bought it, but fortunately the visits were covered by the warranty, since it was so close to the time that they had bought the washer. I forgot what the problem ended up being, but I think it was the computer on theirs, too. I think it might have been a loose connection or something like that, but I am not sure. I do know that the first time it just didn't work, and the second time they had an error.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
3 Feb 10
...see, the error is what you have with machine with 2 computers not comunicating with each other...iRobot (?)
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
4 Feb 10
Yeah, well the worst part is that when my parents moved several years ago, they got brand new appliances. We were poor when I was growing up, and my dad felt really bad that my mom always had to scrape and struggle just to make ends meet. When they sold their old house and bought the new one, they had some extra money, so my dad made sure that my mom had everything brand new to make up for what he could not give her over the years. Therefore, her "old" washer was only about five years old (it might have been six years old, but I think it was only five).
Either way, that is far too new to have to replace it, in my opinion.
Either way, that is far too new to have to replace it, in my opinion.@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
4 Feb 10
I hear what you are saying, Alice. That is how I was brought up, too - if what you have is still good, then it does not make sense to buy new stuff just because you have a little extra money. However, my dad buying my mom brand new appliances was prompted by two things. First, they did have the extra cash, but more importantly, the cost of hiring movers and a truck to get their old stuff to the new place would have cost a lot more than just buying everything new. They moved out of state, so there were only a few of us that could help them move. The funny part is that I could not get the time off from work, but my ex-husband was able to, so he drove one of the moving trucks for them. All the large stuff, such as the bedroom set and couches and bookcases, etc., had to be set up before anyone left, because my parents should not be doing those things themselves, so the appliances would have been too much stuff.
While it does seem a little ridiculous for your daughter to buy new furniture just because she came into a little money, at least her sister will benefit from the "old" but still perfectly good furniture. I do hope that your daughter is smart enough to put some of the money aside instead of spending it all, though, just in case she needs it in the future. Otherwise, she might end up wishing that she had never bought the new furniture and instead put the money into savings.
By the way, I am not sure whether or not I told you this before, but I am sorry to hear that your ex passed away. How are you and your daughter doing with that?
@damalimcpherson (251)
• Jamaica
1 Feb 10
In today`s society most of the advance technology are quite expensive but they do not worth it. As you buy some of these equipment they do last longer than the older equipments.i strongly believe that they are not really spending adequate in fully accessorizing these equipments and also the raw materials that are use in the production process are not so strong and durable as one time.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
1 Feb 10
My brother bought a new washer and dryer set for $900 2 years ago on sale...and it is already messed up and they got rid of it and now are taking their tax money to get another set..My last waster was a whirlpool an older model and it was over 15 years old before it gave the heave ho and messed up..which was basically only a agitator problem but hubby wanted a newer model..which we got..also a whirlpool but I can tell you I bet that it doesn't last as long..because seems they make things to tear up faster to wear out..and so people have to either buy new or have repair bills out the wazoo..my sister in law has been having her repaired for years and for what she paid out in repairs every few months could have been enough to buy a new one. They make them cheaper to sale more..that is what I think..if something last for years.....products don't move off the sale room floor..
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
2 Feb 10
yes, the technician told me that simple washer would cost me $300 and work much better....
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
1 Feb 10
I have never had a problem with anything I bought fron Sears. I can see why you are so frustrated. They do offer a "service plan" but it is at an extra price. Sometimes the new stuff really isn't made like it used to be. There are a lot of things that I would rather have used or older than new. Take care.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
2 Feb 10
I have 25 years old dryer from Kenmore and is working great, I didn't know about new generation, fancy washers problems.
I was on the site Fixya and seems like I have common problem for this washer, they supposed to recall the product...
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
1 Feb 10
dear pola,
technology is there for easier and luxurious work. but it seems you get more headache with it.
i think you should write the manufacturer and complain. 
here, if the store where we bought the appliance do not help, we go to the department of trade and industry and complaint there. and we get results although it takes time.
hope your problem is solved the soonest possible time.
ann
i think you should write the manufacturer and complain.
here, if the store where we bought the appliance do not help, we go to the department of trade and industry and complaint there. and we get results although it takes time.
hope your problem is solved the soonest possible time.
ann@polachicago (18716)
• United States
2 Feb 10
I couldn't open the washer door for over 36 hours. After 12 hours of constant plugged and unplugged, I washer gave upon me and open the door...(when washer shows F11, the door is locked and I am not able to open the door...
on me and open the door...(when washer shows F11, the door is locked and I am not able to open the door...