Purchased washer for $1235.00 in 8/07. Jan 09 noticed the letters on the start button are slowly dis-appearing. Called Sears, out of warranty. Sent me to Warranty Department and they asked for model #. They said that was a Whirlpool product (who knows these days) and gave me their number. Naturally they couldn't help. Called back Sears Warranty department and asked for number to complaint department, can't help me. Word to all, this is why our country is going to hell. We make a crappy product, charge too much, give crappy service and then we cry to our government to bail us out cause no-one is buying our products.