Asko WCAM1812 Front Load All-in-One Washer / Dryer

I live in a condo and bought the ASKO WCAM1812 in June 2006 as a high quality replacement for the old Whirlpool apartment washer/dryer stacked unit. The ASKO has been a huge disappointment.

I purchased the combination washer/dryer because there is no good way to vent a dryer in my condo and my utility area is small. Previously, I had a stacked apartment-size washer and dryer, and the dryer vented to a little bucket mounted on the wall. I chose the ASKO combination over other brands because a neighborhood retailer carried it and there seemed to be fewer complaints.

At first, I was thrilled. As a replacement, the washer is quieter and spins the clothing much dryer than my previous machine. Although the washing and drying times are longer, my spouse and I wash one load a night, several times a week, so that's not a big concern to us. My disappointment began when the washer stopped working within about a month.

The unit was installed on June 16, 2006 and stopped washing on August 26, 2006. Although covered by the warranty, it took three months for it to be repaired.

One the first service visit, the repairman diagnosed the problem as a defective electronic motor control. He said the part would have to be ordered and I could expect that it would take about a week for them to get the part. Four followup phone calls later to Customer Service, the part was finally delivered a month after the first service visit.

A week later, the repairman was scheduled to install the part. But, he was a no show. Customer service re-scheduled my appointment for two days later. That morning, the repairman called to say that the part was cracked and would have to be re-ordered and the appointment rescheduled. Following a visit to the store where I purchased the combination washer, a phone call to the ASKO Regional sales representative, and a call to the Customer Service supervisor, the part and repairman were scheduled to be at my home within the week.

But, the repairman was again a no show. Following a call to his supervisor, to the store where I purchased it, to the General Manager, and the General Manager of Operations, and to the ASKO regional sales rep, the repairman was scheduled to return the next day. On his next appointment, the repairman finally replaced the control board.

And, the washer still did not work. The repairman diagnosed the problem as the motor. Another part had to be ordered. At this point, my spouse was furious at me and we were tired of taking our laundry down three flights of stairs to the car and to the laundromat. A couple of weeks later, the repairman replaced the motor and another control board. The washer has worked for about a year before it broke down again.

Neither the management of the store where I purchased the washer/dryer nor ASKO were concerned about customer service. They made all kinds of excuses for their poor service. After more that a month of no washer and two no shows by the repairman, they told me to be patient. And, no apologies for having me or my spouse take time off from work only to have the repairman cancel at the last minute. Again, just excuses as in "we have old trucks."

Now a year later, my washer/dryer has stopped washing again. It's still covered by the warranty, but that's no consolation for the effort and time required to drag my laundry to the laundromat. And, the aggravation.

The repairman diagnosed the problem as the motherboard. Fortunately, the part came within a week and the diagnosis was correct. So, my machine is once again working.

I consider two breakdowns in less than 2 years as unreasonable. When I spoke to ASKO last week, they indicated that this frequency of breakdowns is within the range of normal and that I am being unreasonable.

My big worry is that it is so unreliable-- I have no confidence that it will last through the warranty period, let alone beyond that. The warranty and extended service contract do not make up for the inconveniences of waiting for the repairman and trips to the laundromat. I would not buy this washer again.