First thing I noticed was how quietly they run. The noisiest part is during the washer fill cycle. Amazing how quiet the high spin cycle works -- the VRT vibration reduction really works. I made sure the washer is perfectly level during installation.

Very easy to navigate menu/dial system. Many options for temp, soil level, spin speed, extra wash/rinse, prewash and a custom "My Cycle". Sanitary cycle, wool and the best part: Silvercare. I was somewhat skeptical about this function, but if it works as Samsung claims, then it would revolutionize cold water washing. I can say that my first two loads with Sears Oxiclean HE came out perfectly clean and absolutely no scent. We have some workout gym clothes that had a persistent sour, mildewy odor even after a full warm wash in our old TL. After one cold water Silvercare wash, no odor at all! Amazing.

Quiet, efficient, and the ability to sanitize with warm and cold water. A great combination, but the price is on the premium side. The dryer is spacious and has a very accurate moisture sensor. I will update this review as we use these more...

Just used a couple of our old bath towels that have always had a persistent "funk" smell when they got wet. After a single cold/cold wash last night with Silvercare, today no funky mildewy smell after use. Again, amazing.

For those in OC in So Cal, look at this deal on a slightly dented/scratched set:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/hsh/399698923.html

By far, the Silvercare is the best feature of this Samsung washer for us.

I think CR was looking at it as an additional cost on top or a premium machine. I understand their point, and I think I've herad some other concerns with Samsung, but if it's working for you -- that's what counts.

On EPA issue, you might just buy an extra silver bar now or two now. Or just resign yourself to possibility of not using it at sometime.

http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/ion.htm

I wish Samsung had a VRT non-silver model. Sure they will have one soon, but really don't want to wait for it.

And here I was figuring that the silver bar lasts about 10 years and they say most washers and dryers aren't built to last more than 10 years now -- so you might not even need another one. And I really don't know the significance of the EPA saying Samsung will have to register the washing machine, but it doesn't sound like a ban. That article was nearly 9 months ago and they are still selling the machines....

With this Samsung FL, I let it go through the cycle. At each spin cycle, I can hear it speed up, start to vibrate, slow down, rinse, then speed up again. Each iteration brought a higher spin speed and less vibration. Soon it was up to full speed as the load balances. At max speed, vibration is minimal and the washer seems to have plenty of power to handle such a difficult heavy load.

VRT works and works well! Needless to say, the white bathrobes look as good as new.

Silvercare + VRT are wonderful features that really are effective.

If you buy a $3k+ new machine set and can't return, can't get it fixed and want something else, resale thought will cross your mind- quickly.

If anyone has access to CR, they had an excellent articles on nanotechnology and concerns. Also, manufacturers are moving aways saying their product uses nanotechnology. It is quickly losing the cachet unlike the enduring word "digital." Just brought my daughter a Nano IPOD. I think she is safe, however, it is digital too. LOL.

Before I saw CR article, I brought some Eddie Bauer Nanotex pants. Curious what it really added over usual WF, I did a Google. First hit was a group of protesters in front of Eddie Bauer's corporate headquarter. Dismissed it, until I saw CR article and quotes from Nobel Prize winners that helped develop it. However, still wearing pant and not really much better than old WF Dockers, IMHO.

On possible future bans/restrictions of Samsung, here is one from Germany. Also, some rambling from local communities in California.- http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1037.php

" BUND wants Samsung to stop selling the new washer in Germany. Similar pressure by consumer activist organizations in Sweden already forced Samsung to take it off the market there. Consumers who already bought the appliance were told by Samsung to use the silver cycle "carefully". "

I agree, however, that a good return policy is always better than having to sell an appliance that is almost new. After several years of using a washer, I wouldn't be too concerned about its resale value anymore. And you can still sell something that is broken if you disclose the problem and somebody wants it anyway for spare parts or so...

ROFL. Silly response.

Lascatx, I bit on the first one, this is the last one.

Know back to the thread's real purpose, please.

Imagine in store. Hey, honey, let's get this one, its saves a lot of energy by using cold water and pesticide to really kills those dust mites -the bugs might wash-in, but always wash-out.

So Samsung has two marketing strikes against US machine - using pesticide per EPA and nanotechnology, or so it claims. Nanotechnology concerns, I think, was not expected. See CR issues a month or so ago. Some manufactures are quietly dropping their bragging about using nano.

I hope you have better luck with your Samsung Silvercare than my sister did with her set.

She was very happy with it until after about 8 months it started shutting down randomly during the wash cycle.

She had to wait two weeks for a service visit only to find out the tech couldn't fix it and agreed to replace it with another. Her family had to wait another four weeks for Samsung to deliver another washer even though the store she got it from had more in stock.

As it turned out she was given a reconditioned unit and it also didn't work. (Some problem with the door latch system.)

In the end, (after two months) Samsung gave her a store credit to buy a new set at Sears.

This time around we purchased a 4 year warranty extension to cover anything that might go wrong.

Still extremely pleased with our purchase -- latest test was to wash some smelly old running shoes that had a lot of sweat and wear. Not only did the mesh uppers come out amazingly clean (with Sears HE Oxiclean), but the Silvercare took ALL the odors away. The dryer did a great job with the drying rack to dry out the shoes without tumbling.

BTW, these Samsung washers are very popular in Asia and the Middle East and I can see why.

She had planned to either get the washer fixed of take a replacement. It's the way Samsung handled the situation that turned her off to the brand.

After such a long wait for repairs to be made and without a working washer, she was just sick of dealing with the situation and couldn't bear the thought of "what if?" the new one fails.

I had nearly bought the LG model that has all the bells and whistles but then I started reading online about front-loaders in general and how horrible they shake houses when installed upstairs. I have had many front-loaders, but always downstairs where the subfloor is a concrete slab, so this hasn't been an issue. My new house has the laundry room upstairs by the bedrooms.

I am hoping the Samsung with VRT actually prevents issue so I can proceed with buying the unit.