Warning: How can 1 cent cost you $40.00?

This is a reminder that the U.S. Postal rates increase from $.41 to $.42 for a 1-ounce letter sent First Class on Monday, May 12, 2008. 

This can be very important to know because if you send out payments on bills, such as credit cards and you apply the $.41 stamp your payment will be returned to you! 

On most credit cards, the late fee can be $35 - $45! Ouch! However, if you have not had any late payments in the last six months most credit card companies will forgive a late payment and credit you the late fee but you have to call and ask for it. While you have them on the phone ask them if you can get any lower interest rates on your credit card account. 

Don’t forget to call all of your credit card companies and ask for an interest rate reduction every six months or so. It can’t hurt and it could save you some money.

Until next time...

Mother’s Day gift ideas

Here is a list of Mother’s Day gifts you may want to consider… 

Of course the last one concerning the Maytag Neptune Front loader washer she will really appreciate if you prevent a certain Neptune failure that causes the laundry to stack up! 

The door latch wax motor on the 2000 Stackers, MAH3000, MAH4000 and the MAH5500A series Neptune’s will fail causing damage to the machine control board. The wax motor part number is 12002535 and you can replace this part in about 10 minutes and prevent the no-spin failure. I have photos to help you take the Neptune apart on my site http://www.neptunewaxmotor.com/. 

If you wait too long, the machine control board will have to be fixed with my R11 & Q6 repair kit, or the control board will have to be replaced along with the wax motor or it will damage the repaired (or new) board again. If you have the MAH3000 Neptune you should consider replacing the (2) additional wax motors in the dispenser area that control the bleach and softener because these will fail as well. 

Do your mom (or spouse) a huge favor and replace this wax motor asap and keep her laundry pile to a minimum! 

1. A Day at the Spa 

2. Jewelry 

3. Perfume 

4. Flowers 

5. Gift basket 

6. Candy 

7. Take out to dinner 

8. Car detailing 

9. Maid service 

10. Maytag Neptune preventative maintenance 

 Note: These are not in any particular order of popularity...

Until next time...

New Maytag Neptune bearing Site

Hi Neptuners! I wanted to inform every one that I have put up a new Maytag Neptune Bearing replacement site where you can order the Neptune Bearings and seal kit to keep your Neptune spinning quietly again. 

The URL is www.neptunebearing.com. I also offer the Neptune Bearing Tool Kit rental for folks to borrow this fabulous tool that will really save you a lot of time when replacing your bearings. 

This custom designed tool was designed for service technicians so I thought why couldn’t homeowners utilize it, too? As a matter of fact, yesterday I sent the first tool kit out to Missouri on its maiden voyage. I will talk more on the tool in future posts once I get feedback from the customers who used it… Jeff

Until next time...

Got The Maytag Neptune bearings out

"Finally got the bearings out. However it is clear to me you gotta take the tub completely out!

Pulled the outer bearing almost all the way out with the modified puller, pounded it out the rest of the way with a steel pipe, turned the tub around and pounded out the really bad inner bearing with a 2 inch pipe and my log splitter. 

Hope this info helps someone." 

Sounds like a lot of work... Maybe you should have read my Neptune Bearing ebook and video which is loaded with tips to help you get the bearings out... Oh yea... you do not have to take the outer tub out to replace the bearings ;>) Jeff

Until next time...

Maytag Neptune Dryer issue on Internet

Here is one taken from the Planetfeedback.com site regarding a Neptune dryer. 

"Maytag Neptune dryer keeps braking and ruined tons of clothing!" by Rachel s. Written to Maytag Corporation Posted Mon April 28, 2008 11:02 pm We purchased a Maytag Neptune dryer not even two years ago. We have had numerous problems with it for over a year now and the repairman have been here on several occassions. 

At first it was shrinking all of our clothes even when dried on the extra low drying feature. I did several loads of laundry when I bought the kids back to school and fall clothes last year. I didn't realize it, but the drum was broke. There was a sharp piece of metal sticking out of the drum so that put holes and tears in all my kids brand new clothes! The repairman came and fixed the drum when it finally came in, as of course it was on back order. 

Then that same day, I had to call back as it was still making a loud noise. Turns out the new drum broke something inside when it was being repaired, so again, we had to wait for a part and wait for them to repair it. 

A few months passes and aqain the dryer is making extremely loud noises and still shrinking our clothes. You can even hear it when you are outside. We had a repairman come out and turns out the drum is broke again. The part took weeks to come in as it was on back order. When the repairman shows up with it and opens it, the new drum was damaged during the shipping process and he has to order a new one, which is still on back order. We are still waiting for the part to come. 

In the meantime, all of our clothes are stained up terribly from the broken drum as the felt type piece is lose and getting dark dirt stains on everything. Before I realized this, I washed all of my sons and my own new birthday clothes (we got in March) and kids spring clothes which have stains on everything that won't come out. Tons of brand new clothes with stains that won't come out. Hundreds of dollars down the drain again! 

I had brain surgery this year for an incurable neurological disorder I was born with. Then I had a follow up surgery for complications. I cannot take my 2 and 3 year old daughters to the laundromat to do laundry as I am not allowed to drive, nor am I allowed to lift heavy loads of laundry or them. Not to mention, who can do that with two little ones anyway? This is a HUGE incovenience. I have lost hundreds of dollars worth of new clothes and some old clothes as well. 

And to boot, my dryer is still not fixed. My youngest just turned two on Friday and I cannot wash all of her new clothes as they will all get ruined. I am furious. I want my dryer replaced with something that won't keep braking. 

I want something to be done since I have lost hundreds of dollars worth of clothes on two occassions from this defective dryer we have paid about $800 for. This has been over a year of inconvenience. I want what we paid for, a reliable dryer. I will happily send pictures I have taken of our brand new stained clothing. My husband has written to customer service who has not been of any help to our situation. 

PLEASE correct this impossible and severely frustrating situation. I cannot wash our clothes because of this and because of my medical condition cannot go to the laundromat either. Something needs to be done as we have no clean clothes left and all our recent clothes are ruined. I will eagerly be awaiting a timely response with some suggestions to rectify this situation. Thank you for your time. " 

This is terrible customer service from Maytag? 

Jeff

Until next time...

More Maytag Neptune chatter... from Internet.

I watch blogs and forums to see if folks are talking about the Maytag Neptune... 

Here is one quote from savvydollar.org: " Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject: I've had a Maytag Neptune since 2000. It's been involved in a class action lawsuit. I like the way it washes and spins the heck out of the clothes. That way it takes less time to dry. Trouble is the computer has broken and the door latch switch has broken and something else. Good thing my DH is an engineer and very handy, otherwise this very expensive washer would've been in the dump many years ago! The other thing is you can put a TON of clothes in them and they use WAY less detergent and water than regular washers. They are a great idea, just stay away from Maytag. The next thing that goes on mine will be the last straw! It will be out the door...HTH_________________Jeanette Collopy" 

Wow jeanette, you and every Neptune owner will have trouble (if you have not had any yet...), The door latch wax motor is the most common failure and you can prevent it if you replace your wax motor before it fails. My site http://www.neptunewaxmotor.com/ specializes in the Neptune front loaders. The machines that will have this failure are the 2000 Stacker, MAH3000, MAH4000 and the MAH5500A series. 

The MAH5500B series is not affected because Maytag replaced the wax motor with a real solenoid to lock the door. There is a new chapter with the MAH3000's and that is there are two more wax motors in the dispenser area that control the bleach and softener. When these go they will trip the circuit breaker. 

Luckily, the machine control board will not be damaged but the timer contacts that control these wax motors could be. See http://neptunewasher.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html for a photo of a melted down wax motor from the dispenser area. 

The next part to go after your Neptune gets older will be the bearings, I have a fix for those as well. You will notice that your Neptune will get louder in the high speed spin cycle to where you can't even share the same space as the Neptune. Folks have told me they were quoted $950 - $1,300 for this repair but with my kit you can get going for under $90.

Until next time...

Go Danica Patrick!

Congratulations to Danica! What an accomplishment Danica has made setting records and all... 

I wonder if Danica has a Maytag Neptune washer? If so, she better race over to http://www.neptunewaxmotor.com/ for a pitstop and replace the 12002535 door latch wax motor before her Neptune blows out... 

In addition, bearings are as important on Indy cars as they are on her Neptune. We have a new replacement bearing and seal kit so your washer can spin as fast as Danica drives!