American Meter & Appliance

Here is the update
We have been told that they do not allow buy out of contract, so we are stuck with this terrible deal.
It is amazing that laundry companies are allowed to exploit their customers like this.
With this kind of contract you have to wonder, who stands to gain from this relationship? It definately isnt the customer.
Christian

i’ve leased a coin-​op washer dryer from them for about 6 years and no complaints, they have been responsive and quick to repair the rare problems that have cropped up. maybe i would make a lot more money if i bought my own? dunno but they have certainly made it easy to stay with them.

Setting: Once upon a time an evil spawn broke into a condominium laundry facility to steal quarters from washing machines. Fortunately for the condo owners, the spawn was a hammerhead and couldn’t figure out how to get the money out of the machines. Unfortunately, the impish creature did manage to destroy a coin box and a washing machine in the process, and escaped without a thwarting.
Narrator: I wanted to smack myself silly after volunteering to coordinate the purchase of a new washing machine for my condominium building. I’ve never purchased a washer, leave alone the coin operated type. Where do I go? Which machines suck (slang term: generally displeasing) and which ones rock (slang term: superior, as good as it gets)?
Like the twisted, anal-​retentive female I’ve always been, I looked up commercial washing machine suppliers online and researched their records with the Better Business Bureau. Oh, and I asked Unilocalers for help. Based on my findings and Unilocalers’ advice, I narrowed my choice to American Meter & Appliance.
American Meter was incredibly helpful. When I first visited, the person who greeted me, Kevin, showed me a variety of machine models. I figured our association wanted the best one for the money. Turns out that was a front loading Speed Queen for $ 1617. Choke. Kevin explained the energy efficient machine would pay for itself in about eight years. He did show me other models, including another energy efficient machine he felt wasn’t appropriate for high-​volume use, and added reports of machine problems after about six years of ownership. American Meter also sells water-​hogging top loaders at less expensive prices, and even sells rebuilt top loaders for $ 425. After re-​hashing the possibilities, my condo board told me to set up the purchase of two Speed Queens. I went back to American Meter, made the arrangements with another American Meter rep, Mike, and was out the door in ten minutes. On the day of installation, the American Meter service guy (forgot his name) was ON TIME, installed our new washers and took away the old ones for $ 65.
My story has a happy ending, in that our condo dwellers can again wash their clothes, and I didn’t have to smack myself silly after all.
Epilogue: Seattle Public Utilities offers rebates for energy-​efficient washers, so the condo association should be getting back ~$ 200. Sweet! (slang term: quite pleasing).