Out of stock. Delayed shipments. Low appliance supply. As frustrating as it may be, buyers are becoming used to these buzzworthy terms as demand for appliances continues to grow despite the market turbulence throughout the past couple of years. One of the biggest appliance brands experiencing backorders due to recent events is Whirlpool, America’s most popular appliance brand, according to recent stats by the experts at Yale Appliance.
So, what solution do buyers have when they want to purchase new, reliable appliances during a time when appliance sales are at historic numbers? We have the answers inside, including in-stock appliances from alternative brands that may offer more than what buyers get from Whirlpool.
At a Glance:
Inside Whirlpool’s Backorder Issues
Expected Whirlpool Appliance Delay Times for 2022
Inside Whirlpool’s Backorder Issues
For many shoppers, Whirlpool appliances are a reliable resource because they are affordable and carried by most retailers. Unfortunately, that also means Whirlpool products became hot commodities during the home renovation surge of 2020. Normally when there’s an uptick in demand, appliance manufacturers respond by increasing production — except that certain events prevented Whirlpool from being able to keep up with the growing demands of their products.
Here’s What Happened
Four main factors created a snowball of consequences that led to Whirlpool’s current low appliance supply chain:
- Factory Shutdowns
After a case of COVID breached an Amana plant in Iowa early in March 2020, Amana’s parent brand, Whirlpool, closed the facilities to curb the spread of the virus. Later, Whirlpool would go on to also close its Findlay, Ohio appliance factory for safety precautions.
With domestic plants put on standby, Whirlpool and its family of appliances (Amana, KitchenAid, and JennAir) began to experience a new trend of backordered items that are still in effect. And as overseas factories began to shut down too, Whirlpool appliances began to become more and more scarce despite their growing demand.
- A Boom in Real Estate Interest
While appliance brands braced for temporary shutdowns, homeowners — who were spending more time at home than ever — began to invest in their households. New purchasers taking advantage of a hot buyer’s market took out loans on new appliances for their new homes. Meanwhile, current homeowners were using the money they saved from travel and commuting by renovating kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
As a result, demand for appliances skyrocketed while productivity remained stagnant during the period of quarantine.
- Labor Shortages
Due to health precautions, Whirlpool also faced a labor shortage, which was matched by a decline in dock and cargo workers. With fewer bodies to assemble appliances, production slowed down.
- The Battle for Semiconductor Computer Chips
Meanwhile, a struggle to source processors used in more than 50 percent of Whirlpool appliances was happening beneath the surface. Many of the appliances on the market today use smart chips regardless of whether they’re smart appliances or not. With over half of its inventory depending on computer chips that were becoming more scarce day by day, Whirlpool faced even more production challenges, which added to its mountain of backorders.
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Whirlpool Appliance Delay Times for 2022
With several variables up in the air, it’s hard to give an exact number when it comes to how long it will take for Whirlpool to fulfill your appliance order. Still, regular accounts of shoppers who have been waiting months and even years for their orders to ship are becoming more and more common. Until then, reports show inventory backups are creating delays anywhere between two to eight weeks and up to 10 months for certain appliances.
For now, best practices include shopping for basic models, appliances that don’t have electronic control platforms, and being aware that smart appliances will probably have the longest lead times due to computer chip shortages.
Fortunately, Whirlpools is starting to see a positive trend in order fulfillment as operations slowly return to normal. But for the most part, it will be a while before the brand is back to 100 percent. Luckily, Don’s Appliances is stocked with appliance shortage solutions for Pittsburgh shoppers looking for alternative brands to Whirlpool.
In-Stock Dishwashers
With delivery times as short as two weeks, Beko appliances are one of the best brands to shop for during the appliance shortage. Beko dishwashers are being manufactured and delivered in as short as one month compared to Whirlpool dishwashers, which can take up to ten times as long, depending on the model. Beko dishwashers are built with sustainability in mind and offer ample space to load dishes with a maximum of 16 place settings. Beko is also one of the quietest dishwasher brands on the market, with models as silent as 39 decibels.
Recommended: Beko 24" Black Built In Dishwasher
This affordably priced dishwasher under $600 is a true bargain, complete with a stainless steel interior for better drying results and lower noise operation. This black dishwasher also includes a three-level upper rack that adjusts to fit large and bulky dinnerware with ease. Wash loads with peace of mind knowing this ENERGY START Most Efficient dishwasher cleans every cycle with the lowest water and energy settings and high performance.
In-Stock Refrigerators
Of the appliances impacted, refrigerators arguably took the biggest during the appliance shortage. Yet analysts suggest the best bet lies in Korean appliance brands like Samsung appliances. Refrigerators from Samsung deliver some of the most stunning features on the market, though experts suggest straying away from tech-heavy fridges like Samsung SmartHub refrigerators. Still, Samsung offers great food preservation even from core models. If a ten-month waiting period for a Whirlpool refrigerator is too long, try your luck with Samsung.
Recommended: Samsung 27.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Standard Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Stock up on your largest grocery hauls inside this Samsung side by side refrigerator with over 27 cubic feet of food storage. Crafted in a beautiful stainless steel finish with modern lines, this large-capacity refrigerator is an upgrade, not a compromise, complete with flexible storage and all-around air cooling to keep produce fresher longer. This in-stock refrigerator is available for delivery in areas around Pittsburgh — check availability near you today!
In-Stock Ranges
LG appliances continue to have some of the fastest delivery times available, with wait times tapping out at eight weeks, on average, compared to Whirlpool’s 40-week average max delivery times. While LG cooking appliances price more than Whirlpool ranges and cooktops, spending more will also get you better features. That includes ranges with the most oven capacity in their class, powerful convection, air fry technology, and more.
Recommended: LG 30" Stainless Steel Free Standing Electric Convection Smart Range with Air Fry
Despite an appliance shortage, shoppers are still enamored by modern designs and are willing to wait out long waiting periods for sleek ranges over ones with traditional styles. This LG 30” electric range features the best of both worlds: a freestanding design that is easy to install; control knobs (no chip required!); and a sleek ceramic glass cooktop for a touch of modern flair.
You can truly cook up a feast with 6.3 cubic feet of oven capacity (the most in its category), plus powerful cooking features like convection and air fry. When it’s time to clean, use the EasyClean feature for spot cleaning in as little as 10 minutes.
In-Stock Washers
Hygiene is more important than ever, which is why washers and dryers spiked during COVID-19. That also resulted in surplus demands that manufacturers like Whirlpool were unable to keep up with. To date, buyers can wait up to 10 months for Whirlpool laundry appliances. On the other hand, LG laundry appliances can be assembled and delivered to your door in as fast as two months. Best of all, LG washers and dryers come with powerful features like speedy TurboWash cycles, steam cleaning, and an Allergiene cycle on top of large capacities.
Recommended: LG 4.3 Cu. Ft. White Top Load Washer
With a 9/10 buyer recommendation, this LG top load washer proves when a classic design is done right, it can be a winning recipe. This top-rated washer in stock comes with high-performance features like a 4-Way Agitator and 6Motion Technology to break down tough clothes stains. Scaling in at 4.3 cubic feet of tub capacity, you can wash up to 20 pounds of clothes in a single load to cut laundry days down to just a few loads.
Delayed shipments for appliances will likely stick around for a while, so until then, shopping for alternative brands is the best solution to guaranteeing you get an appliance as soon as possible. While Whirlpool begins to show a silver lining toward the end of the 2022 quarter, brands such as Beko, Samsung, and LG fill the gap with quality appliances that homeowners are able to enjoy sooner.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop In-Stock Appliances at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop in-stock appliances at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find affordable alternatives to Whirlpool appliances — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: Finding Appliances Near Me