>What is the general opinion of F & P appliances?
>Are they reliable?
>Would you buy one?

Yes. When we were resident in NZ we had F&P fridge, freezer, washing machine
and dishwasher. When we moved to the UK we brought the dishwasher with us,
the other items were that old they were not worth shipping.

A good number of years back now, my father went to look at a washing machine
that another family in the church had bought in the UK while there in the
diplomatic service, and had shipped back to NZ. They had done enough
research to know that this make/model was sold in NZ by F&P, under licence.
My father got to look at it because it was leaking water around the spindle.
It turned out that when F&P had started making it they found this problem,
and had redesigned the relevant area with a ceramic surface that did not
wear, and Dad was able to buy a complete upgrade kit to repair the machine.
That is the sort of innovation that F&P have done.

The direct drive machine you mention is now about 10-12 years old as a
concept from them. I believe GE make the motor for them, as it was a joint
development between GE and F&P.

There is only one thing I would look out for. The early models of the Gentle
Annie washers were rather lighter in weight than previous models, and people
had problems with the machine moving around when the washing was not evenly
balanced during the spin cycle. It may be that these days they have done
something to sort this out - Jinx and Russell (and any other Kiwis) will be
in a better position to comment on this aspect.

Interestingly LG now make a direct drive washer in the UK. The advertising
literature suggests that they invented the concept and that it is "all brand
new" as an idea ...

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