thread: Need to whitegood an entire house. Suggestions?

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  1. #1
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jul 2008
    Eastern Surburbs, Melbourne
    1,841

    If you buy a top loading washing machine get one that has a small agitator on the bottom as this is gentler on clothes.
    Retravision, keep an eye on your local paper for local specials, have some good prices at different stores at different times of the year. The one at Chirnside Park is really helpful and not pushy.
    When buying a dishwasher ask about servicing as some parts are harder to get than others.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    Why don't you try E&S Trading?

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    Washing machine - I have a 9kg FP top loader like BG I think it's the best. My last one was a FP as well and it lasted 10+years before it died in the 'bottom'
    Dryer - I have a simpson sirocco 350. It's old and tiny, but I wouldn't be without it. Especially when it is freezing and there is no hope in hell things that I need are drying.
    Cooktop - I have an Omega 5 hob gas cooktop. I love love love it. It's 12 months old and the best I've ever used. Omega is the step down from Smeg (we couldn't afford that). My mum has a smeg induction cooktop which is just as good as gas for temp control, but way more exxie and you have to make sure you have the appropriate pans so that you don't scratch it. I would never willingly go back to electric cooktop.
    Oven - again, I have a Smeg. I have a 900mm though (it's 1/3 wider than your average oven). Love love love this too. It's controls are a bit finicky but it is a truely fantastic oven. Again, mum has the better model, but my oven is more user friendly.
    Fridge - I've got a FP upside down one. Yep I know less energy efficient, but the drawers in the freezer sold us. Much easier than digging around in the back of a regular freezer, plus it's much much harder for Darcy to reach stuff in the fridge, whereas if we had one where the fridge was on the bottom, she could 'access all areas' IYKWIM?
    Dishwasher - We looked at the FP drawers but every salesman told us not to. They are expensive and for what they do there are dishwashers out there that will wash just one rack. A regular dishwasher has more useable space too apparently. I have an Omega that does do just the top rack, works for us, but we rarely have less than a full load anyways. Dishwashers are also more water efficient per day than handwashing with s sink full of water a couple of times.

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Nov 2005
    Langwarrin. Victoria
    1,654

    The new F&P top loaders are designed like a front loader, same water efficiency, better wash AND you dont get sore knees and back bending down to fill/empty it like you do with a front loader. They would be my pick for a washig machine.

    We put Lofra cooking appliances in our kitchen and they have been awesome.

    For a dishwasher you cant go past an ASKO for quality and economy.

    Dryer...no idea...we have hubbies elcheapo simpson still that I dearly want to replace cos its too small but it just wont bloody die!!

    Oh and for fridge/freezer, work out how much you think you will freeze....like will you bulk cook meals and freeze them etc. If so dont get a top/bottom arrangement cos the freezer part will be too small, we are paying for this mistake dearly....go for a side by side one.

    And yeah if you go to any place wanting all those items at once and are paying cash I would expect them to fall over themselves to accomodate you pricewise.......

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Aug 2005
    Melbourne, Victoria
    1,635

    I would try and find newish items on ebay, to save some $$ if i were you.

    Otherwise Grey online.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Sydney NSW
    4,837

    I would try and find newish items on ebay, to save some $$ if i were you.

    Otherwise Grey online.

    We have got some great things on ebay. Got a FP dishwasher for $120, its 7 yrs old but was at a business premises so not heavily used and works really well.
    I would also try a 2nds warehouse, sometimes its the box that has been damaged, even if its minor scratches on the item I always figure that with kids its going to happen anyway!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2006
    Victoria
    324

    Yay Div!
    For my 2 cents worth i reckon it is worth putting your list of everything together and seeing if you can wangle a package deal on everything. We did that when we bought our stuff for our place 10 years ago and saved between 20 - 30%. We did pay cash though after saving our behinds off, not sure if this is an option for you given the time you have.

    IMHO the cheapest place to go is the good guys, we go to one out in bayswater which is a bit of a hike but worth it pricewise even taking into account extra delivery fees.

    We were students when we bought our bits and pieces and 10 years on my comments are:

    Dishwasher and Washing machine - both Lg - both very ordinary and I would def not buy again. Have had problems with both from about the 5 year mark.
    Dryer - we have a simpson - basic low end model - has been great (but like you I don't use it that much).
    Looking at new dishwasher and love the look of asko models they seem quiet and very water efficient.
    Fridge I have a fisher paykel top freezer bottom fridge one. Very happy with it we got it second hand when we moved in now about ready to changeover. I have been looking at those and my one issue with upside down is that you get much less fridge capacity than freezer on top in cases where externally the unit s are both the same size. I personally wanted the fridge capacity more than freezer but that's because I have already got a separate freezer.
    Can't comment on the rest but will look on with interest as in my dream world I would love to renovate my kitchen soon!
    Good luck
    B xo

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    5,951

    We have F&P Aquasmart washing machine. Best thing I ever bought. We also have a F&P twin draw dishwasher, never had any problems with it. It was in the house when we bought it 4 years ago. In that time I haven't had to do any repairs. I don't know how old it is though.

  9. #9
    Senior Moderator

    Nov 2004
    Chickens.
    4,989

    Thanks so much guys. I really appreciate it. Now just to get the house...