Korean Job Discussion Forums

ed · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

years ago my wife and I picked up a wash machine at a used furniture store then shortly after we found a nice dryer in Itaewon for really cheap cause it didn't work but a new cheap belt fixed it like new.

we have worked both machines hard for the last couple years and finally days ago they quit.

we went to Hi mart and decided to try out one of those wash machine/dryer combos to save space in our little place.

it was delivered yesterday and the old machines were hauled away.

after trying it we discovered that the washing takes about an hour and the dryer takes about 3 hours and the clothes smell funny when they are done.

we were thinking that at the end of the month we would get a huge electrical bill. there are many things we don't like about this machine so we called Hi mart to return our 900 000 and take back the machine and the beepin beeps refused. Evil or Very Mad

so, now what do we do?

we have a machine that we don't like and they refuse to refund us and we don't have the time or money to use it.

anyone have suggestions or had one of these machines before?

pollyplummer · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: McMinnvillve, Oregon

I have a washer/dryer combo in my apartment, and it does the same thing... takes forever to wash and dry. There are different settings for the wash and one is supposed to be the fastest, but even that one is slow. My clothes smell a little strange when they come out, no matter how much soap or what kind I use. One question I have... I dont see a lint trap on this thing? Where is it? How can I clean it out?! I've looked all over for it. Does it just not have one?

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

We bought a washer/dyer and I noticed the same thing (tried it for a 1/2 hour and everything was still sopping wet) -- clothes take forever to dry. I think it's because Koreans tend to prefer hanging up their clothes to dry, so the dryer is only used for one or two articles of clothing, in an emergency situation. Who knows.

Sparkles*_*

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The washing load is X kilos and the drying load is X-y kilos. Don't overload the machine and things will come out fine.

As to the smell. . . I have no idea. Doesn't happen to me.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Tiberius, I have a fondness for Vulcans like the one in your avatar.

Those aren't dryers you bought. They're hamster rides. Idea

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

I've asked people with the combos, and they say it's just better to buy separate washers and dryers.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

We have one and it's crap... but it was given to us so we aren't complaining. Next time though, I will buy a separate unit.

I suggest that you write (is your wife Korean?) to the maker of the machine and also to all available email addresses at hi-mart and complain about their services.

My husband did because our last washing machine almost caused a fire in our home and my husband wrote to the maker and complained and said it was really unsafe blah blah blah (I was pregnant, so he was furious that it was so dangerous).. that's how we got given a new one AND they gave us money to buy new clothes (yeah all the clothes got burned)!!!!.. so write to as many places as you can.. write to the CEO if you can find his address!!!

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

Use a nice smelling fabric softener for the end of the cycle for better smelling laundry. After the wash cycle is finished, set it to spin at the highest speed it will go. THEN set it to dry. This will drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to dry.

I LOVE my washer/dryer combo and ever since I got it, I have been kikcing myself for not getting it years sooner.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

My wife and I almost bought a combo last year but, when we found out that it could take 2-3 hours to do a half-load for the dryer cycle, we decided that it wasn't worth it. If you have the space, buy a nice front loading washer and a seperate dryer.

ed · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

first, thanks everyone for your replies.

update:

because I am a handy man and I have lots of tools, I opened up the machine to see how it works.

it appears there is a hot air blower blowing into the drum but no moisture escape so the clothes are basically boiling in their own juices.

below the main door in front is a small door on the bottom that can be opened with a screw driver or coin and inside is a lint filter.
a lot of water comes out of it so be careful when opening it.
the book says to clean it about once every 2 months.

my wife did not want to contact the manufacturer or hi mart so she called a government arbitrator.
that person took the info then called us back later and said hi mart does not care that we don't like it so no refund.

don't think I'll be shopping with them anymore.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

NJ · Joined: 09 Feb 2003

Is it possible to buy only a dryer in Korea? We have a washer and are interested in a dryer. We thought we would have to get a combination unit because we were told by the Korean teachers at our school that they had never heard of a dryer being sold by itself.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

I found that the 'funny smell' only occurs when I overload the dryer, especially if I have jeans or towels mixed in. You can get some Bounce fabric softener (or the store brand) at Cosco. That should help if doing a smaller load doesn't solve the problem.