I bought a Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer in June. After about one month, approximately 10 loads of laundry, it stopped in the middle of the cycle with error code "F20", which means it thinks the water supply isn't working. After checking the hoses and resetting the washer by disconnecting the power supply (the instructions in the manual don't quite work as described), everything seems to be in order. But thereafter the wash or rinse cycle will start, with water flowing fine, but it will intermittently stop with the same error code "F20".

I called Whirlpool and they sent A&E Factory Service to repair the washer.

Executive Summary: DO NOT EVER USE THIS SERVICE! THEY ARE TERRIBLE!

The first visit the repairman diagnosed the problem but said he did not have the part. I had to wait 12 days for the part. The second visit they showed up 2 hours late (the window was 8-12). They unstacked the washer & dryer, put a new part in, stacked it up. In the process of stacking and unstacking, they are damaging my walls, floors, and doors by banging things into them. Then with the first load of laundry after the repair: I get "F20" error code. The problem was not solved!

So I schedule another appointment. The window is supposed to be 8-12. It's 3:30pm already, and I haven't seen a repairman. Another whole day consumed having to be at home waiting for the repair person to show up.

Word to the wise: Don't Ever Buy Whirlpool. Don't use A&E Factory Service.

NO COMPLAINTS! TECHNICIAN VERY QUALIFIED! It seams that the Service Vans the technicians drive, only care about 1500-2000 parts. I guess if they all drove tractor trailers they could carry all parts needed for every repair! Guess what Whirlpool dictates what parts trhese poor guys should carry. Unfortunately they can't carry every part, only the top parts that Whirlpool breaks down. Since Whirlpool owns kitchenAid-Maytag-jenn aire-Ropr & 80 % of the appliance, our anger should be taken on them, not the poor technicians, who are automatically scheduled 12 calls a day by their routing/scheduling dept. For the most part the technicians are good, it's the money hungry owners/Sears who over book/over schedule the poor tecnicians, then even worse send parts from Dallas, where all the broken parts are shipped. Give these poor technicians a break.

The ice dispenser on the front door of the Whirlpool refrigerator began to release ice intermittently and then not at all. A service call was made to Whirlpool for this refrigerator that is less than one year old. The service representative was determined that there was nothing wrong with the refrigerator and called me over into the kitchen four times to watch him push the button and the ice dispensed as though he was anxious to end the service call. Each time I removed the glass from his hand and pushed the button myself and viola, no ice. Each time he was surprised (yeah right) and when he asked me into the kitchen for a fifth time I approached him and told him that I was interested in participating in this continual experiment of whether or not the dispenser was working and that all I wanted him to do was FIX IT!

At that moment he called someone on the cell phone, told that individual all of the things that he had done to get the dispenser to work and that those things had not been successful. I heard him say that he was going to have to order a computer for the refrigerator and he hung up. In order for you to understand my frustration with this service call was that the timeframe given to me was between 8am and 12 noon, whereupon he arrived @ 2:59pm and left @ 3:45pm, so this back and forth insanity went on for nearly an hour.

Ultimately the computer was ordered whereby I was told that would be delivered to my home on Wednesday of the following week, which it was not. I called the 800 number to A & E Factory Service to be told that, “I don’t know why the part was not ordered, but I will send a message to the parts department and someone from there will call you back”. Before the end of the day no one had called me so I called back and this time I was told that the parts department had 24-48 hours to return calls. I explained that 48 hours would be out of the scope and timeframe by which the repair was scheduled to be done so what were the other options, and the person on the line stated again that someone from the parts department would call me back. My question is…where is the part and when is it going to be put in? I too am going to contact the Whirlpool organization to complain about the service or rather lack of service that left me, the consumer, without an operational refrigerator and no concrete information as to the fixation of this problem.

I hope this helps at least ONE person in their dealings with this truly horrendous *cough* SERVICE *cough* company!!! This experience started with my Whirlpool Duet Sport washing machine leaving all clothes SOAKING wet after each use. So mush so that it took 3 hours in our dryer to finally get the results we wanted. 3 hours! I am going to name names below because they deserve to be named due to the absolutely attrocious lack of help & concern for the situation. SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM FOR TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A&E!!!

Okay, 07/20/08, An appointment for service was created via the Whirlpool web site. The washing machine was purchased approximately 9 months ago and is still under the 1 year manufacturer’s warranty. A&E Factory Service is the service company selected by the web site to complete the task of fixing my washing machine. An eight hour appointment window of 0800-1700 is given. The problem’s symptoms were soaking wet clothing after the machine has completed a cycle and a failure to go into the ‘high spin cycle’. I hate 8 hour appointments but I want the problem fixed so I agree tomiss an entire day or work.

07/21/08, First Onsite Service Appointment: A&E Factory Service technician (unknown name, but can described as a white male, 20s, glasses, and all he talked about was getting the engagement ring for his girlfriend of several months) arrives for the service call and I give him the computer printout of the purchase date to show that it is less than 1 year old and thus covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. He accepts the information and puts the data into his laptop. After looking at the machine, he concludes that the problem is a faulty pressure switch. He disconnected it, blew into the pipe that leads into it, and also checked various other portions of the machine during his test. He stated that after the new pressure switch was installed, the washing machine would work as it was supposed to. He stated that the part was going to be delivered to my house. I asked him if I could install it since it was such a simple part (1 wire set and 1 pipe leading into it) without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty and he said “yes”. He said that would be great as it would save him a trip back out to our house. He showed me how to install the old part twice and watched as I installed the old part twice as well.

07/25/2008, The part arrives via UPS.

07/26/2008, I install the pressure switch and run a test load of laundry through the washing machine. I sit in my garage the whole time (yes, it was looooong). When the cycle is completed, the clothes are still soaking wet due to the fact that the machine did not go into the spin cycle.

07/26/2008, I called A&E Factory Service and asked to speak to a manager. I was put on hold and a female reinstated the call saying her name was Misty and that she was a manager. I explain that I have already lost one complete day of work due to the first appointment and the problem still existed. I ask that a technician be scheduled out side of the 0800-1700 window because those are my work hours and I do not want to lose any more pay. She refuses that request and, frustrated, I ask for a smaller appointment window so I can at least work part of a day after or before the technician arrives. She states that the first available 4 hour window is on 07/29/08. It is from 0800-1200. I accept that appointment.

07/26/2008, I contact Whirlpool phone representative Dreyon after the conversation with Misty and explain to him the issues I am having with A&E Factory Service. I state that I am calling to provide feedback regarding one of their service contractors and also to determine the steps that may need to be taken to send the malfunctioning washing machine back. After explaining the steps so far taken by me and A&E, he informs me that by installing the part myself, A&E can now say my manufacturer’s warranty is invalid because I am not a certified technician – even though I expressly asked the technician about this.

07/26/2008, I immediately call A&E Factory Service back and ask to speak with a manager. I am put on hold and a male reinstates the call saying his name is Joe and he is a manager. I explain the events so far and ask him if my manufacturer’s warranty has been voided. He states that A&E has a 90 day guarantee on their work and the second visit is well within 90 days of the initial appointment. I state that was not my question and again ask if my manufacturer’s warranty has been voided. He fails to answer again. I ask him a third time and he fails to answer the question – again referring to the 90 A&E guarantee of workmanship. I confirm with him that my appointment window is on 07/29/08 from 0800-1200 and ask that all technicians be informed not to let the customers install their own parts as it could void their manufacturer’s warranty per Whirlpool. I also requested that a different technician be sent to my house for the second call as the first technician told me two incorrect statements – that the pressure switch replacement would fix the machine and that the manufacturer’s warranty would not be voided by me doing the installation. Joe stated he could not guarantee that the same technician won’t be assigned to the call.

07/28/2008, An automated voice message was left on my wife’s cell phone from A&E Factory Service. I return the call at approximately 2210 hours and I speak to phone representative Sam. He tells me it was most likely an automated reminder call regarding my appointment on 07/29/08 within the window of 0800-1700. When I inform him he is mistaken on the timing and the appointment was set up a 4 hour morning window, he states that his screen clearly shows a window of 0800-1700. Frustrated, I ask him how we can change it back to the 4 hours window that manager Misty said she set up so I do not miss an entire day of work. He stated that I should call back tomorrow at 0800 EST and ask to speak to the Routing department. They would then be able to modify the technician’s appointment schedule so mine is in the morning. I ask who changed the appointment time and why – he could not answer those questions. I stated that I was upset by the events and ask to be connected with Misty or Joe’s (managers) office and Sam states that he does not know them and A&E is a national company with many offices. I begin recording my phone conversations with A&E mid-way through this phone call after realizing that I am getting conflicting information regarding the appointment times.

07/29/2008, I contact A&E Factory Service at 0800 hours and speak with phone representative Jonie. I ask her where she is located and she stated she is in Texas. I explain the situation and ask to be transferred to the Routing department. Jonie states that transferring me to Routing will do no good as even the Routing department cannot change the route of the technician on the day of the service call. I state that Sam told me to call today and they could change the route. She insisted that they could not. I ask her who can change me back to the 4 hour appointment time and she said only the technician can modify his route now. I ask her to contact the technician and have him change my appointment time back to 0800-1200 as that is what I originally had. She says she cannot contact him directly but will send him a message to contact me. I ensure that she has the correct contact information for me. I record this entire phone conversation (again, because I am getting conflicting information from A&E employees).

07/29/2008, I contact A&E Factory Service at approximately 0951 hours and speak with phone representative Silvia. I state that I am upset with the fact that almost 2 hours has gone by and I have not heard from the technician. I ask her to contact manager Misty and Silvia states that she will send a message to her instead of transferring me. She also states that she will send a message to Routing for me. When I matter-of-factly ask what good sending a message to Routing will do since we just discussed the fact that they cannot change the technician’s schedule, she immediately places me on hold without telling me she was going to do it. A short time later a female who identifies herself as Terri reinstates the phone call. I ask her if she is a manager. She states that she is and I explain my extreme frustration with the lack of customer support and ask that my 4 hour appointment window be reinstated. She refuses to reinstate my 4 hour window. I ask her why it was changed and, after a while, she states that their computer system shows that Misty had set me up for a 4 hour window under a collect call (meaning that I was supposed to pay for the service instead of the work being covered by a manufacturer’s warranty). This call was later cancelled by someone named Chris Yarber in the Customer Relations department. The appointment was then recreated as one covered by a manufacturer’s warranty from 0800-1700. I state that I’ve never contacted nor been contacted by him and ask to speak with Chris Yarber. Terri states that she cannot transfer me to him. Exacerbated, I ask why it is so difficult for a customer to relate to someone in Customer Relations. I also ask her hypothetically how, if she was a costumer, she would contact Customer Relations. She stated that all people trying to reach Customer Relations would have to go through the main number I have been calling (and through which I reached her). I say I understand and then ask to be transferred to Customer Relations main number. She refuses. After several futile attempts at gaining information on how to contact Chris or Customer Relations, she finally states that she will send him a message to contact me at either of the two phone numbers on my file (to this day, he has not contacted me) but refuses to actually connect me to Customer Relations. After placing me on hold, she reinstates the call and states that a new appointment window of approximately 1300-1500 was determined with the help of Andrew in Routing for my service call. I ask Terri for the contact information of A&E’s legal department so I can have my attorney contact them for a better/quicker resolution (I have a benefit through my employer that provides me with free legal services). She states “I don’t think we’re at that point yet” and refuses to give me the information. Additionally, she refused to clearly inform me if A&E considers my manufacturer’s warranty voided due to the actions of their first technician. Again, I record this phone call in its entirety due to the lack of assistance.

07/29/2008, I photograph and take video of the pressure switch part that I installed per the instructions of the first technician. I document it’s correct placement and attachments in anticipation of A&E Factory Service later saying that the part was incorrectly installed. I record a portion of news broadcasts in the video to show the date and time that video was taken.

07/29/2008, Second Onsite Service Appointment: A&E Factory Service Technician Jose arrives at my house at approximately 1350 hours. He checks the pressure switch and states that I installed it correctly and that the arrangement of the wire & tube interfaces makes the installation “dummy proof”. During the service call, he states that the company has scheduled seven appointments in the 0800-1200 window and there was no way he would be able to do them all. With the help of phone-based technical support, he eventually identifies the issue as the main control board and replaces the part with one in his van. The washer functions properly after his repair work. I ask him for his Tech ID so I can inform A&E that he deserves some form of employee appreciation/recognition.

07/29/2008, At 1559 hours I call A&E Factory Service and speak to phone representative Carly and explain how appreciative I was of Jose for fixing my washing machine. I ask her to pass the request for employee recognition on to Jose’s management. She states that she will do that. I record this phone conversation in its entirety.

TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A&E!!!. First RECORD YOUR CONVERSATIONS on your cell phone if possible. Seriously. People didn't believe me when I told them how bad A&E lies and contradicts itself until I played the recordings. I have contacted the BBB and given them this timeline and stated that to back my complaint I will send the recordings to them. Second, call, recall, and triple call them on a daily basis to ensure that some stupid person in the Customer Relations department (who customers can't relate to apparently) doesn't change your appointment!! Third - remember THEY HAVE OFFICES EVERYWHERE AND YOU MAY GET PHONE REPS IN 5 DIFFERENT STATES. They have no clue who the managers are in other states. Ask for their names and ask what state they are in. Your recordings will corroborate this later.

The people I spoke to had no fear of the BBB. Keep that in mind. They are working without a care for your time or well being.

Final tip: Don't use A & E. Ask the manufacturer if there are other service companies they can send to your house. PLEASE DO NOT USE A & E.

My three year old Maytag dishwasher stopped draining. Of course I was given an appt. for a week from then. That would be 6/18/08. I had to be home between 8am and 5pm. At 4:45 I received a call that I was to be RESCHEDULED. Another day - 6/17/08 I spent waiting and the tech showed up. After he determined that the pump was the problem and checking his computer, he went to his truck because the computer said he had one. Guess What! No pump on the truck. The pump was ordered and I made the mistake of paying for everything (parts & labor).

Another Day - 6/26/08. On that date, the part had not arrived and I was RESCHEDULED again.

Another day - 7/7/08. On the morning of 7/7/08 they called and wanted to RESCHEDULE again because they didn't think the part was in. I told them that the part was here and that I wanted to keep that day. The girl told me that the dispatch would call me to give me an approximate time for the tech to arrive. I waited until 4:30 but NO CALL and finally called them to see what happened. I was told that I was not on the schedule but they could give me a date a week from then. I spoke to a supervisor (#1). She said she would arrange to get someone out the next day.

Another day - 7/8/08 the tech did arrive and replaced the pump. HOWEVER, twenty minutes after he left I went to open the dishwasher. The door would not open completely and there was ELECTRICAL SPARKING by the hinge. The tech apparently caught some wires when he reinstalled the unit under my counter. I called the tech who told me I would have to set up another appt. I called A&E and this time went straight to a supervisor (#2). The tech should have been returned ASAP. They tried to give me a date a week and a half away but after much discussion, I only had to wait another week.

Another day - 7/14/08 I waited again. I called around 4pm and was assured that the tech would not miss me again and that the problem would be taken care of that day!!! At 4:30pm I received a call wanting to RESCHEDULE again for 7/17/08. I spoke to another supervisor (#3). He assured me that dispatch would get back to me by 9am.

Another day - 7/15/08. It is now 10:40 and I have received no call. I called them AGAIN and was told that I would have to wait until 7/17/08 but no guarantees.

Another day - 7/15/08 and NO GUARANTEE TO SHOW!!

Heres the problem, I travel a lot and have rearranged my schedule several times to get this taken care of. So Far, I have SPENT """48hours""" WAITING for A&E, and now am told that I need to be P A T I E N T!!!