time to replace the miele with competent appliances built for normal sized people with normal time constraints. wow - it's so annoying to wait for 146 minutes while three items of clothes are washing with german precision! off to sears in cap mall for a new washer and dryer twelve years after purchasing a great set there. sears has great prices and a good selection of appliances. when i arrived i was asked if i would be requiring a steam set. what the heck is that i wondered. after much explanation and a very thorough tour i acquired an education in the latest and greatest washer and dryer information. i needed big machines (so many kids) and came to the quick realization that i could not live without the steam option on both washer and dryer. unfortunately, i needed the machines delivered by week's end and i had a very tight budget. the sales associate went so far out of his way to get me what i needed at a very good price. i ended up with floor models, lightly scratched for about $700. less than ticketed price (the dryer was missing the shoe drying rack - off went another 100!). i LOVE my whirlpool duet. i can put my wrinkly clothes in the dryer on steam touch-up, have a shower and come downstairs to perfectly "ironed" clothes. i have washed my king sized duvet, mountains of towels (teenagers!) and steam cleaned all of our stuffed bunnies for easter. (one of my children has bad dust mite allergies). we no longer have to wait hours for our clothes to come out crushed beyond belief and i am very thankful that sears has once again helped us find a great washer and dryer at a great price when we needed it.