Downeast Appliance
About us
Cost is determined by the job.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Appliance store & repair.
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 84% | ||
| 12% | ||
| 4% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 0% |
The machines were promptly installed 05/26/16 by Dan Walker, his assistant Alex, and another fellow – all very competent and friendly. The layout of my house is such that the only way to get the old appliances out and the new appliances in was via the rear entry. The cellar door had to be taken off because the rear vestibule is very small. Dan did this quickly and easily.
Dan and his team arrived promptly within the 12-2PM window agreed upon at the time of sale. Dan tied back the rear entrance storm door, securing it to the backyard fence with a skillful set of knots that held both open. He quickly took the cellar door off its hinges.
Alex and his coworker quickly took the new washer and dryer off the truck and unboxed them. Then they disappeared into the cellar, emerging onto the back stoop with the old washer gently balanced between them on the wide strap of a joined carrying harness. In a similar fashion they moved the new washer and dryer to the cellar and brought up the old dryer. I was impressed by the careful and considerate way Alex and his teammate worked together to carry the heavy and awkward loads.
The delivery and installation were quick, less than an hour. Dan disconnected the old gas dryer and reconnected the new one. He had informed me that a licensed professional has to do this task. They used the integral self‑adjusting feet of the washer and dryer to level the machines; leveling is important to the proper operation of both machines. At one point Dan had to go to a hardware store to get a part that they didn’t have. He came back promptly. I offered to pay for the part but he refused.
Dan had found a way to fix the cold water faucet – it had been spewing water every time I turned it on, so I kept it off until the wash cycles needed it. I’d shown Dan an iPod video of the problem when we were making the sale. Dan indicated that the fix is sufficient but at some point it might be good to have a plumber replace the turn mechanism. I’ll do that soon as part of a much needed bathroom remodel.
I asked Dan about the PVC standpipe (approximately two feet high) that the old washer was draining into; it feeds into the main soil pipe at the base. He said that he’d tested it and it was sufficient. That was a relief.
Dan showed me the flexible new dryer vent hose that I’d asked for as part of the sale because I’d poked a hole in my old one while attempting to clean lint out of it. The new one was not rigid which surprised me because I’d read that rigid is better, but Dan said this hose was very high quality and expensive, but worth it. He said that he could tell from the lint that remained in the old hose that I’d oversoaped in my old washer. He told me that it was very important to use only one to two teaspoons of soap in my new machine, and only 1 tablespoon of bleach when needed. (I’ve followed his recommendations and they work, the clothes are definitely clean.) Dan showed me how to shake the new hose. He said that will break up any clumps of lint in it and allow the air to vent them outside.
Dan was knowledgeable about both machines. At the end of the installation he gave me a brief tutorial on how to operate both machines optimally. He suggested that I use the automatic dry function to save money and wear and tear on the clothes. He showed me how to properly pull out the lint screen and reinsert it with a horizontal motion. He showed me how to how the Start/Pause button when the lid is locked and I need to put a stray item into the washer. He said that if I hold the button down for three seconds, the washer will drain completely –it will abort the load.
My old washer and dryer had some life in them still, so I told Dan that they would not need to be hauled to the recycling facility. I donated the old dryer to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I gave the old washer to a friend whose own washer had died; when I went to Downeast Appliance to buy new hoses for her as a gift, Dan generously provided some new hoses gratis.
My new machines are good looking, modern and efficient and will save me money on my water, gas, and electricity bills.
The individual arrived when they said they would (they gave me a 2 hour window which I was fine with). I explained that I had ordered a new lint catcher and what my concerns were with the dryer. He turned on the dryer and said he knew just what it was. He said the wheels that the drum sit on were probably broken and he would have to order a part. He didn't take any of the front off to confirm this or to see if there was anything else going on. Just that he would order the part and let me know when it was in and off he went.
I got a call from the office a couple of days later and they scheduled him to return on Wednesday, 7/17, to complete the repair.
Again the gentleman showed up when he said he would. He pulled the dryer apart to install the new part and service it and found the belt needed to be replaced and another part was broken. The fan was not working. No big deal untill he told me he had to order that part too. At this point I had been without my dryer almost 2 weeks. And during a time when the weather was very humid and it was impossible to air dry your clothes without them smelling in the end because it took so long to dry. I was annoyed but there wasn't anything I could do bu wait for the part. He said he should have it the next day or Friday and would be back to install it.
On Friday, 7/19, I hadn't heard anything back from them and at noon I called their office. I didn't wan't to go through a 3rd weekend without my dryer again. The lady I spoke with was very pleasant and said he could probably come the following Tuesday. I told her that he had told me he would return on Thursday or Friday of that same week. She said the part had not come in and might that afternoon but even if it did her repairman was out straight and couldn't install it. He was already running behind. So I accepted the Tuesday date and hung up the phone very irritated that I had to wait another week. If the repair man had done his job in the first place by pulling the dryer apart to see what the actual issue was rather than making an assumption it would have been fixed on the 17th.
30 minutes after I had hung up I got a call back from the office. She had called and spoke with him. Turns out he had the part and could be at my house in 10 minutes. Like most folks, I work 8 to 5 during the week so to respond this quickly was a bit unreasonable but I wanted my dryer fixed. I called a friend to come to my house and let him in to finish the repair.
He did not charge me for a 2nd service call which I was already prepared to fight since this was his oversight. The trip charge was $69.00 the service was $30.00 and the parts were $60.00.
In the end my dryer was fixed within 10 business days of my first phone call. They were professional. I have used them before which is why I had returned to them. I will use them again but will challenge any assumptions being made so there isn't a repeat of this scenario. I do think there should be more analysis of the appliance before they defer an appointment due to a part.
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