I don’t know about you, but I usually only have to get our washing machine fixed every 5 years or more. Now when it comes to replacing such an essential appliance, we usually go 12 to 20 years. It has been a long time since I last had to walk in an appliance store and look at washing machines.

Yesterday, I walked in my local Best Buy, and headed to the back corner where they have the washing machines. It was there where I was over taken by the shear number and variety washing machines. There were red and stainless steal ones along with the traditional white ones. I even saw some made by Samsung? I thought they made cell phones?

I could not recognize the different manufactures by their general look. I had to look for the manufacture’s logo. My head was in a spin. My eyes were in a blur all because there has been so many changes  in one appliance in the past 12+ years.

I finally made my way to the outside of the three rows of washers and dryer. There I saw a name I recognized, Maytag. It was a top loader with a glass lid so I could look in and watch my cloths as they went through the various wash cycles. That one was almost $900. So I moved to the next to it. It was just under $400.

In the corner of my eye, I saw a sales person. His blue shirt and smile brought me back to a reality.

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I asked him for a sales or catalog sheet for the washing machine where my hand rested. I was informed sales sheets are no longer printed. If I wanted information about any of the washers I would have to go online a bestbuy.com.

I asked the sales person if that washer was in stock, other than the display model, and the charge for delivery. He acknowledged that if it was not in stock it could take up to 3 days to get it. Delivery would would cost me $29.99.

The washing machine I had my hand on was a Maytag model MVWC300VW. They were asking $365.49. Maytag’s suggested retail price is $429.99. Have you notice only foolish people are the ones who pay suggested retail price.

That washer delivered, and installed will cost me $394.98 before sales tax. They once said that a Maytag washer would last you 20 years. I am going to figure 15 years on the newer ones. (I am being well conservative here.) That breaks down to about 51 cents per week for just the washing machine.

Now if you want to compare the cost of doing laundry at home as opposed to going through all of the hassle of going to a laundromat. You need to see the laundry calculator at CSGNetwork.com. This is one calculator I wish I made.

Tags: Best Buy, Maytag, Washer