Throwback Thursday: News Recap May 29, 2014

If you have been reading the W.L. May Blog but haven't checked us out on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, you may not be getting the whole story. We use all of those social media outlets to share news stories that relate to our industry as well as appliance tips we have found from other sources. Here is a recap of some of the top stories we have seen lately. A lot has been happening so without further ado:

We start with some consumer friendly articles we feel would be great for sharing:

• Today Home recommended some ares of the kitchen to pay extra attention to when cleaning. LINK
• Some users of HE washing machines report smelly towels. The Dallas Chronicle talked about how to get rid of the smell...and how to keep it away. LINK
• Faced with going without a refrigerator for a short while? This article from Apartment Prepper may help you cope. LINK

Next, we look at the manufacturers and how they have been in the news recently:

• Have you ever wanted to splash around inside of a dishwasher? Folks in Cape Town, South Africa had a chance to do just that, courtesy of Samsung. LINK

We found several articles that might be of interest to those of you who love all thing appliances:

• Terrace Standard made some suggestions on how to make a machine more elder friendly. LINK
• Scientific American sent out a call out for refrigerator pictures. Their blog post talked about how we decorate our refrigerators...and why. LINK
• Argus Leader reported on a pink wringer washer returning to its roots. LINK
• From Taiwan, Toxel.com, showed us a washing machine/video game hybrid. LINK
• UK's Daily Mail reported on these 24 hour outdoor washing machine as if 24 hour laundrymats did not exist. LINK
• Solar power is nothing new as this clip from the 1930's showed us. LINK

Sometimes, the links we post are related to technology, business or happenings on the internet:

• The Columbian predicted growth in appliance sales. LINK
• Modesto Bee reported on a horrible accident involving appliance repair. LINK
• Made In USA Challenge posted an infographic that talks about all the reasons that consumers should shop locally. We couldn't agree more! LINK

We close with a few stories that are just for fun:

• Is getting the dishwasher emptied a challenge in your home? It is for this blogger. LINK
• Cherokee Tribune remembered wash day before indoor plumbing and electricity. LINK

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Random Parts Info

This week has found me working a bit on cleaning out my file cabinet and organizing my digital notes. In contrast to Kelly and her "Superhero Book", my preferred method of note organizing used a file cabinets with folders for various brands, product types, and other behind the scenes handouts I have accumulated. As you might imagine, I have a lot of notes after 20 plus years. For the last few years, I have put new notes into a a digital notebook (I am using Microsoft's OneNote). The time has come to convert the old notes from my file drawer to a digital version. Here are a few things I found while I did my project.

• Occasionally we get calls asking for a certain size of access valve for refrigeration. Here are Whirlpools part numbers for access valves.

1/4"-978025
5/16"-97026
3/8"-978027
1/2"-978028
5/8"-978029
3/4"-978030

• Water filters are a popular item these days. In addition to the filters from GE, Whirlpool, Maytag and Electrolux we also have replacement filters for some Samsung and LG models.

For Samsung use WF289
For LG use WF290

• There are 2 dishwasher drip pans that we stock.

Dimensions: 19 3/4" x 14 3/4" x1 " Whirlpool part: 119811
Dimensions:  24" x 20 1/2" X 3/4" "Dwip Pan": DWP24

• Chrome GE Drip Pans and their hard to find  alternatives colors part numbers:

6" Chrome WB31T10010...Bisque WB31T10012..Black WB31T10014
8" Chrome WB31T10011...Bisque WB31T10013..Black WB31T10015
6" Chrome  WB32X5075...Black WB31M20
8" Chrome  WB32X5076...Black WB31M19 

• If you ever need the wiring harness for GE washer motor WH49X10035, the part number is WH49X10007.
• Plastic tubing for water lines are also a hard to find yet common request. Here are few from Whirlpool:

5/16' x7' ... 67187-11
1/4" x 8 1/2' ... B5705307

• 34001320 drain pump comes mounted on a bracket. Part number 34001340 is the same pump without the mounting bracket. (Reuse old bracket.)

Sort of a random disorganized post today, but I do hope there was something of value to you among my old notes. If you ever need help finding that hard to find part, give us a call. With over 200 years of accumulated parts experience, we will do everything we can to help you solve your parts mysteries.

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

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Kelly's Korner - Whirlpool Water Level Switch Change

Hey, all,

Last week I talked about some of the reasons why part numbers change.  This week I am going to talk about just one instance.


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Several years ago (2011 actually) Whirlpool had to change the water level switch (pressure switch) in some washers to meet DOE (Department of Energy) requirements.  I won't go into all the wording in the Service Memo, but suffice it to say that they had to make changes.  Whirlpool provided us with a list of model numbers affected so we could get you the correct new switch.

If the water level switch on the Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore washer comes up as a W10156252 it will not sub to another part number.  You need to call us to get the correct one because it all depends on what that particular model number is.  There are two different replacements for this so please do not assume you know which of the two are needed.  Please call us here at W L May and we will get you the correct one.

We strive to get you the most up to date information from the manufacturers and the correct parts all the time.  Not to say that we aren't human at times and make mistakes, but our success rate is second to none.  Please use our over 200 years of experience! (yeah, we've only been in business for 91 but most of our parts experts are into double digits in years here!)

Have a great week!

Memorial Day

Friday Featured Client: Appliance Guys

The Crew at Appliance Guys-Glenn is second in from right on the back row.

At W.L. May Company, we realize that without our clients we have nothing. In the spirit of celebrating that relationship, every month we feature one of the companies who allow us the privilege of helping address their parts needs. This month's we profile Beaverton, Oregon's Appliance Guys.

Name?
Glenn Burk

Company?
Appliance Guys

Contact Info
Phone:(503)531-8853
Web: http://www.applianceguysinc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applianceguysinc
Google+ https://plus.google.com/106129899362196416897

Where did you grow up?
Silverton, Oregon.  Lived in Portland/Beaverton for 22 years

How long in the trade?
27 years – worked in warehouse before. Got into business with brother, Steve, who used to do appliance repair who now works for Hunter-Davisson.  Did some auto mechanics so good with hands and diagnoses.

How long in your current company?
1997 – unbelievable!  Has gone so fast

What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work?
Not working LOL!– Seriously, motorcross, travel, did first half marathon and also learned to scuba dive – looking forward to first grandchild in June

To what do you credit your success?
My wife, Joni, pushing me – seriously, she’s had my back in more ways than one supporting me in both life and business

What do you like about doing business with WL May?
Great service – there to take care of us – shares same business philosophy of being the best and taking care of the customer.

Can you share one piece of advice for others in our industry?
Do the job correctly and uphold the great name of appliance repairmen.

Is there anything else you like to say?
Happy to be here!

If you would like YOUR company profiled as a featured client send an email to rob.m@wlmay.com

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Appliance Tweets: Dishwasher Edition

While looking through our Twitter feed we found these dishwasher tweets to share with you.

We start off with some practical advice:

Soap film coating your dishwasher? Run it on an empty cycle using vinegar instead of detergent which will clean it and remove film.
— Busy Household (@BusyHousehold) May 16, 2014

And another post describing a scene where some advice may have helped....

"What the…! Who used Dish soap in the dishwasher?!" Tup's mom wailed as she waded thru the overflow of bubbles. Somebody's in trouble… #FP
— ApplianceTechs_Marin (@ATOMsanRafael) May 9, 2014

Here is some more practical advice, but it really only applies to beekeepers.Which just goes to show, you never know what you will learn on Twitter.

Today I learned beehives are dishwasher safe. pic.twitter.com/dp0GErDWce
— Micah Scott (@scanlime) May 6, 2014

I'd suspect we have more readers who dabble in painting than we have that dabble in beekeeping. This tip is for them...

Top tip from Daddy. Keep the cutlery thing from your old dishwasher to store your paint brushes :) pic.twitter.com/034W1WMyCQ
— TheChasinRacers (@TheChasinRacers) May 10, 2014

Maybe video games are more your "thing". Hey, even they can have a dishwasher tie-in...

I'd like to take this moment to thank Tetris for making me really good at loading my dishwasher.
— Tyler The Creator (@TyIerThaCreator) May 9, 2014

Unfortunately, dishwashers can bring out some tensions between men and women sometimes...

My Duke gender equity water bottle melted in the dishwasher. I'm sure there's a metaphor in this somewhere. pic.twitter.com/XBcUlCFRa6
— Kara N. Slade (@KaraNSlade) May 6, 2014

Things like this can happen...

Good stakes for a thriller: a guy trying to keep his wife from finding out he doesn't know how to work the washing machine or the dishwasher
— Matt Selman (@mattselman) May 13, 2014

Which can then lead to this...

Don't want to brag, but guess who got dishwasher-unsafe dishes for Mother's Day? Yep, I was gifted with chores! My life is complete.
— AcerbicSuburban (@AcerbicSuburban) May 12, 2014

Or this....

There should be some sort of bat signal that lets husbands know the dishwasher is empty so they feel safe to come home.
— Kristin Long (@KNL123) May 10, 2014

To close out, we also found a dishwasher posting tweets to Twitter. This tweet isn't bad but this dishwasher lies. Some of its tweets can be a little adult oriented, but most are just funny comments on other dishwasher related tweets.

Recent studies show that dish washers won't talk dirty to you
— The Dish Washer (@YoDishWasher_) May 15, 2014

If your dishwasher is acting funny and you need a part to make things right, give us a call. Our stock of dishwasher parts can help solve the problem in a hurry.

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE

Wednesday W.L.May Profile: Ken Anderson

This is the part of the blog where we share a little about ourselves. Today we would like to introduce you to one of the people that help provide you with our famously fast and accurate customer service.

Name? 
Ken Anderson

Job Title? 
Driver/Warehouse

Where did you grow up? 
Portland OR

How long have you been with W.L. May? 
22 years

What did you do prior to joining W.L. May? 
Roofing/General Handyman

What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work? 
Tinkering around with home projects, also I like riding dirt bikes, fishing (haven't made it out there in too years) and playing bingo.

To what do you credit your success? 
My mother teaching me the right thing to do.

What do you like about working at W.L. May? 
Its fun, I enjoy the people here.

Can you share one piece of advice for others in our industry? 
Consider W.L. May as your distributor. I believe we take extra steps to make you succeed. Because we do. We do go out of our way.

Is there anything else you like to say? 
I think I've summed it up pretty well. It's a good place to work.

For more from education and entertainment from W.L. May Company click...HERE