Maytag Neptunes

[Anonymous]

I keep reading reports on how much people like the Neptunes. I have 11 and don't like them. They run 34- 42 minutes which is too long. I have adjusted the settings for shorter cycle times, as much as possible. They use a pre wash and three rinses. There is no option to eliminate pre wash or eliminate any rinses. However, I could add a FOURTH rinse. My neptunes are very sensitive to the correct size load - too much laundry and they don't spin out dry, too little laundry and they don't spin out dry.
Does anyone else have these same problems?

[Rich]

I have 3 and don't like them. For mostly the same reasons as you. Always some reason they don't spin, to much soap, to much laundry, quarter stuck in the pump, ect.

[Neil]

I can adjust my wash time and I am pretty sure my machines are set for 2 rinses. My cycle takes 36 minutes or 39 if they pay and extra 25 cents for an extended cycle.

I have no problems with them spinning. One thing can be an issue and that is if the machine cannot balance the load.

At spin, if the load is not balanced, the machine will stop spinning and rotate the load back and forth once or twice to try to balance it and then it will try to spin again. The only time it really seems to strugle with balance is if someone puts in something heavy and awkward such as sneakers and even then they still seem dryer than the top loaders.

[pete f]

I have some at 3 stores, mixed results. They get the lowest TPD out of all machines, and the most complaints. No more for me.
They are probably better than the other softmounts, still you have the problems you mentioned, can't be helped much. Hard mount is the way to go if you can. Tops use more water, but people like them. Tough choices we make if a competitive market.

[Anonymous]

'I can adjust my wash time and I am pretty sure my machines are set for 2 rinses. '

Neil,
I THOUGHT mine were set at 2 rinses and the super cycle would give the third rinse. Then I ran a few and checked each cycle and found they automatically give three rinses, four with super cycle. Might want to look at yours too.

[Anonymous]

If I knew then what I know now....

The customers have a mixed feeling on them. Overall better than the old Tops, and I think that's just because they look better.

Now, for the bad side.

1. Suds, Suds and MORE SUDS. Unless your using HE Detergent, you can't get the suds to stay down to save your life. The residue in turn, provides for substandard cleaning because the clothes feel crusty and stiff. I try to remind my diehard neptune users that these machines are designed for HE detergent, and since Wal-Mart carries it for the same price as regular detegent, they should consider buying it. I've even gone as far as now stocking and selling Tide Liquid and Powder HE, Wisk HE and Purex HE.

2. Longer cycle times. Bout 45 minutes for the durn things to do their job. How long were the tops? 25 at best. I don't like that at all.

3. The cost more to repair (atleast they charge me more) and they are alot more finickie.

4. Customers simply don't like that you can't see the clothes wash. They wanna know if the needa add more soap. The wanna see the stuff tumble. People stand at the triples and watch the entire cycle run, but you can't do that with the neptunes.

5. Heavily soiled items will not wash in these things. Dog bedding (eww, but they do wash it in there), heavily soiled jeans, work clothes and blankets, ect... there is just not enough water to do the job.

On the upside.......
I have several customers who hate the Neptunes so much that they pay more to use the triples. Having no competition DOES have it's perks :D

If I had someone else in town to work against, I'd prolly scrap these things and do hardmounts or the Aurora's. However, unless someone offers me a good price on the ones I have, they'll stick around until their costs outweigh their benefits.

Dave

[Kitty]

Looking at the neptune as a customer I would be hesitant to use the washer. I could care less that you saves the establishment water, but I would like the fact it may reduce my dry time. As a customer it would annoy me that I could not add clothes to the cycle, especially if the washer was pitched to me as being better than a top. If pitched to me as a front, I would want to see "the action". Not seeing the action, would make me question the performance.

Starting out with experience with the mah14 commercial washer, could have possibly turned me sour as to the benefits of this type of machine in the laundromat scenario. But putting myself as a customer to decide......I never thought to highly of its benefits.

[fluffy]

Here's my perspective:

1. The cycle time can be varied - it's easy to do if you read the instruction manual. If memory serves me correct, mine are set at a 32 minutes and 35 with supercyle.

2. I actually use the three rinses as a selling feature (as in "for only 50 cents more, not only do they hold twice as much, they give a wash and three rinses vs. a wash and one rinse with the toploaders").

3. The first few days I had people oversuds or use too small a load, but since I put big blue stickers on the machines (free from distributor) which tell how much soap to use --- no problem.

4. If you ever did have a problem with poor spin out...read the instruction manual again - it is easy to run a 6 min spin out only.

5. I have my Neptunes set to spin at 1000rpm which reduces dry time greatly...therefore net throughput is about the same as using a top.

6. I think most of the problems that have been mentioned relate to unattended locations. In my mat the attendant talk to the customers and they like the Neptunes.

[Kitty]

Customers rarely review this machine as a large capacity machine or a top. It is a new choice to the customer. If you offer no other choice smaller, or slightly larger and/or cheaper than a neptune you may see the benefit in it. Without the customary top load machine the benefit would be signicantly higher, as well as the store that elimiates the 25 load. The neptune and 25 will compete, but the neptune will excel at a lower vend price. Neptunes will do the best in mixes that eliminate the top and 25 capacities.

[Gary C]

O.K. Kitty Have you been drinking tonight? :) I could not follow you. Any way The neptunes have been great for me. My customers love them I have had alot of responses as to how much cleaner they get the cloths compared to tops. Mine run 31 mins. and spin out at 800 RPMs I just added 4 neptunes next to 8 tops and they are getting more turns than the tops are. I will be getting more in a few months. so far repairs have been rare. 12 machines for 4 1/2 years average 5 tpd and I have done 2 control boards and one out of balance switch. No complaints for me. Pete is right though hard mounts will always be easier for unnattended if you can make it work. Just very costly.

Gary

[Anonymous]

It all depends on your customer base. In a urban area Neptunes would be a nightmare. the customers I have all want to stuff 30lbs in a 18lb machine.

[Khach]

I have 4 neptunes and don't like them.
1. It takes too long for the cycles
2. Sometimes don't spin right
3. Very dirty to clean because of small holes inside that can not drain dog/cat hairs out
4. customers don't see the clothes inside.

hard mount front loaders are the way to go!

[Kitty]

Come Gary, it makes perfect sense........to me! :)

My point is, if you have tops and 25lb machines the neptune will not do all that well. If you have neither the may do ok to accomodate the lower vend and smaller load customers. But, if you have tops and/or 25lb machines the use of a neptune won't be very high.

[Gary C]

Actually that is what I have and the neptunes are doing great I have 3 25pounders and 4 neptunes and 8 tops and 4 40 pounders

It may just be the neighborhood though.

Gary

[Anonymous]

"Mine run 31 mins. "

Gary, How long is your wash cycle and your three rinse cycles?

[Gary C]

Same 31 min. And never a complaint no matter how dirty the cloths where going in.

Gary

[pete f]

Crap, I have to agree with Kitty now...
takes the fun out of it....

Originally posted by Kitty
Come Gary, it makes perfect sense........to me! :)

My point is, if you have tops and 25lb machines the neptune will not do all that well. If you have neither the may do ok to accomodate the lower vend and smaller load customers. But, if you have tops and/or 25lb machines the use of a neptune won't be very high.

[Gary C]

It's ok pete, You had a weak moment. :)

Gary