I recently was in the market to purchase a new washer and dryer. I was determined to buy American while also supporting a local small business. I had decided to go for Whirlpool because I had heard they were made in America. I found a small independent owner appliance store nearby. When I entered the store, I told the owner that I wanted to buy Whirlpool because they were American made. He quickly pointed out to me that Whirlpools were made in America but many of the parts were made in China. He told me that if I truly wanted a 100% American made product then the best choice was Speed Queen. He went on to say that every part within the Speed Queen was made in America. It’s also the best made product that I could buy and it has been the choice of laundromats for decades because they are built to last. I was so happy with my purchase and they work great. I did have to pay more but it was worth it to me. I accomplished what I set out to do. I bypassed the giant corporations and supported a small business and I was not contributing to China’s slave labor. I would love to hear of any similar stories and what products are out there that we can trust are 100% American made.
You're viewing a single comment thread. View all comments, or full comment thread.
Comments (113)
sorted by:
Repair man working on my old Samsung told me big box store washer and dryers were only designed to last 5 years!!! He recommended Speed Queen. Got lucky and found some in stock, they work like a champ!
I believe it. I have a Samsung washer and dryer and I know their days are numbered. Now I know what to be looking for. I've been saying for years that I think appliances these days have their death date worked into the computer brains and that when the warranty is up they shoot a death beam to the appliance. I never buy those stupid warranties, been screwed by too many of them.
Let's be real, stuff from the 60s still works. Refrigerators built then are still in operation. Drill presses, saws....back then we took pride in our product and stood by it. Now, however, we take pride in our profit and if your product lasts forever, you just lost a source of profit. Wall Street runs the market.
My folks are still rockin the avocado green fridge. I want that thing left to me in the will.
LOL I have "Harvest Gold" one in my garage (circa 1974). It's a Frigidaire!
73 avocado green beer fridge finally cratered last year.
My mom still has the matching stove. Her fridge lasted well over 40 years.
We've become a "throw away" society.
My father took very good care of everything he owned. He even put car wax on appliances to protect their paint and prevent rust. When he died, he had beautiful old power tools - drills and so on - with metal housing and they were used probably every day of his working life. They looked brand new. He had a gas lawnmower probably bought in 1949 or 1950. It looked brand new. Everything worked like it was new too. The wall oven, stovetop, refrigerator and large freezer were bought in 1962 when he renovated our kitchen. They all worked perfectly. The old stove, bought in 1949, still worked fine too.
As far as that goes, my grandparents house still had grandma's old stove bought I would guess in the late '30s or early '40s was still working fine too.
Kitchen Wax is a thing. It is "Jubilee" and was off the market, but consumers were insistent that it be re-released. Kitchen appliances, Formica counters, and sinks are all waxed. They look like new and spills wipe right off. Your Grandma probably used this. Highly recommend.
Seems like electronics have obsolescence built in to them. Phones are probably the best, or worst example depending on how you look at it.
I have to laugh at what you said. My High School Econ teacher told us ( era 1968), that appliances, cars, etc. have built in obsolescence so businesses can keep selling their products.
I’ve got a whirlpool double stack from 1990 that’s still going. My wife has tried to get me to get newer ones many times but I keep telling her they’ll only last a fraction as long as this one has.
They'll also do a worse job.