Winnie Murugi
Winnie Murugi
Health and Beauty Expert

Whirlpool Corporation is one of the leading kitchen and laundry appliances companies in the U.S and across the globe. The appliances company has been in the market for over 100 years. It positions itself as being environmentally responsible with an inclusive workforce. KitchenAid is one of the Whirlpool Corporation brands.

Overview of Whirlpool and KitchenAid:

  • KitchenAid operated as an independent company since its incorporation in 1919, until 1986 when Whirlpool Corporation bought it.
  • KitchenAid range and Whirlpool range of products are similar in the category of kitchen appliances such as cookers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, cooker tops, microwaves, dishwashers, icemakers, water filters etc.
  • The main difference between the two companies is that Whirlpool offers dishwashers while KitchenAid does not. Likewise, KitchenAid offers stand mixers while Whirlpool does not.

Below is a comparison of KitchenAid vs. Whirlpool as rated and reviewed on PissedConsumer.com.

Whirlpool Questions and Answers

Kitchenaid Questions and Answers

Whirlpool rating * – 1.6⭐⭐

KitchenAid rating * – 1.6⭐⭐

Whirlpool reviews – 1.6k

KitchenAid reviews – 932

Whirlpool claimed losses – $1.4M

KitchenAid claimed losses – $1.1M

Whirlpool successful calls – 8%/698

KitchenAid successful calls – 8%/512

This article compares the two brands in respect to:

  1. Whirlpool vs KitchenAid customer service
  2. Are these brands the same?
  3. Whirlpool vs KitchenAid appliances
  4. Prices and policies
  5. Consumer experience

1. KitchenAid vs Whirlpool Customer Service: Which Is Better?

Customers reach out to both KitchenAid and Whirlpool for various reasons including seeking product information, returns and replacements, how to make payments for orders, wrongful charges, tracking orders, and information on parts among others. While the two companies state on their website that they are ready to help their customers, they both have a 1-star rating on customer service.

The most common Whirlpool and KitchenAid customer service complaints include:

  • Difficulty getting through to the customer service representatives via phone characterized by being put on hold for up to an hour;
  • Unhelpful responses;
  • Rude customer service representatives.

Whirlpool vs KitchenAid customer service contacts

KitchenAid customer service can be reached via phone, mail, and live chat. The company provides various contact information depending on the product category you are reaching out about.    

KitchenAid phone numbers:

  • Major appliances and microwaves: 1(800)422-1230;
  • Countertop appliances, kitchenware, and kitchen tools: 1(800)541-6390;
  • Commercial countertop appliances: 1(800)584-4315.

Similarly, the Whirlpool customer service can be reached via phone, live chat, and mail. The company also provides a contact form that you can fill to reach out to the Whirlpool customer service via email.

Whirlpool phone number by location:

  • For customers in the US: 1-866-698-2538;
  • For customers in Canada: 1-800-807-6777.

You can also reach out to Whirlpool customer service for KitchenAid issues through the phone numbers provided above. Both KitchenAid and Whirlpool have help centers where you can find product manuals and answers to the most common customer questions.

2. Are KitchenAid and Whirlpool the Same?

Whirlpool Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that has been in the market for over 100 years and has established itself as one of the top manufacturers and distributors of home appliances. The company was started in 1911 by Benton Harbor.

When you compare KitchenAid and Whirpool, keep in mind that both companies are part of the Whirlpool corporation brands among others such as JennAir, Amana, Bauknecht, Indesit, Brastemp, Hotpoint, Consul, Gladiator, Hotpoint, Everydrop, Maytag, Jennair, Acros, Diqua, Yummly, and Affresh.

KitchenAid was started in 1919 by the Hobart Manufacturing company as a stand mixers manufacturing company. The H-5 model was the first in the market of its kind. In 1930, KitchenAid     made an improved model of the stand mixer, the model K, which is trademarked and distributed to emerging markets. Since then, the KitchenAid fundamental design of the model has barely changed but the company continues to make a few adjustments to the product to make it compatible and competitive with other modern appliances.

KitchenAid’s second product line was the dishwasher that they introduced in the market in 1949. In 1985, KitchenAid brand, purchased the Chambers Company to add cookers as part of their brand. In 1986, Whirlpool bought the KitchenAid brand and in the same year introduced refrigerators to the KitchenAid.  In the mid-1990s, KitchenAid also started manufacturing blenders and other small appliances.

Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands distribute a wide range of products including cookers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, cooker tops, microwaves, icemakers, water filters, and more. The main difference between KitchenAid vs Whirlpool is that Whirlpool is popular for their washers and dryers which KitchenAid does not have. Whereas KitchenAid uniquely distributes stand mixers.

3. Whirlpool vs KitchenAid Appliances: Which Is Good?

While the Whirlpool Corporation owns both the Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands, these companies are also competitors in the same product categories.

On PissedConsumer, customers are generally dissatisfied with both brands. Both companies have a 1.6-star rating. While Whirlpool is ranked 460 of 1771 in the appliances and electronics category, KitchenAid is ranked at 63 of 296 in the Kitchen and cooking category.

The top reviews are in regards to the KitchenAid range, mixers, and other appliances. Similarly, there are numerous complaints and questions in regards to the Whirlpool range, washer, dryer, and kitchen appliances.

KitchenAid and Whirlpool Appliances Pros and Cons

Whirlpool and KitchenAid appliances have similar pros and cons as brought out in the various reviews. Customers like that the brands offer a wide range of products at different price points. Conversely, many customers express frustration with KitchenAid’s and Whirlpool’s poor customer service and failure to honor warranty and return claims.

4.   KitchenAid vs Whirlpool Prices and Policies

This section will discuss Whirlpool vs KitchenAid prices, cancellation policies, return and refund policies, and warranty policies.

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool prices

Both companies offer a wide range of products for each category at different price ranges. However, KitchenAid appliances are generally higher priced than Whirlpool appliances. Comparatively, KitchenAid products have a better quality and fancier finish than Whirlpool products hence the higher price range. With that said, you can still find mid-range prices for different categories of KitchenAid products.

KitchenAid vs Whirlpool policies

Whirlpool and KitchenAid return, refund, and cancellation policies are similar. For you to be able to seek a KitchenAid or Whirlpool return, or cancellation, you must have bought the product online via Kitchenaid.com and Whirlpool.com respectively. Otherwise, reach out to the retailer where you bought the product from.

KitchenAid and Whirlpool return policy

The KitchenAid and Whirlpool return policy stipulate that you may return a product that is in new condition, for any reason, within 15 days from the date of shippment. You will be refunded for the product price but not delivery, shipping, and service fees.

Whirlpool return policy

You can return products that were delivered damaged within 30 calendar days of receipt either for a refund or an exchange. If you return for exchange, you will not be charged any additional delivery, shipping, or service fees.

If there is a price difference between the returned item and the new item, the difference will either be charged or credited to your card. For Whirlpool or KitchenAid returns, you will get the full product price but not delivery, shipping, or service fees. Alternatively, you may opt to schedule for a repair of the damaged product instead of returning or exchanging it by contacting customer service.

KitchenAid return policy

If you are dissatisfied with your product for other reasons, you may return it within 30 calendar days. The return policies indicate that you will be charged a 15% restocking minimum of $50. In this case, you will not be refunded for the delivery, shipping, and service fees.

The KitchenAid return policy notes that personalized items, engraved products, refurbished products, discontinued products, and free gifts are non-refundable and non-returnable unless they were delivered damaged.

KitchenAid return policy no refund

To initiate your return, call the respective company via their phone numbers provided above to request a shipping label. You will be required to provide your order number and product serial number. If you are eligible for a refund, the refundable amount will be issued to the card you used to pay for your order within two weeks of the returned product being received at the warehouse.

Whirlpool and KitchenAid warranty policy

Both Whirlpool and KitchenAid warranty policies stipulate that you can reach out to them for repair services after the 30-days return period has lapsed. The KitchenAid warranty policy is specific to the given product. You should check your product manual for warranty terms. On the other hand, the Whirlpool warranty provides coverage for 1 year against defects and part replacements on major appliances.

KitchenAid and Whirlpool cancellation policy

You may cancel your order for a full refund on product price, delivery, shipping, and service fees as long as it has not started the shipping and delivery process. Otherwise, you will need to initiate the return process once you have received the product. You can check the order status on each company’s track-my-order page.

Whirlpool cancellation policy

5.   Whirlpool and KitchenAid: Consumers’ Experience

Both Whirlpool and KitchenAid reviews indicate customer dissatisfaction in the following areas:

Customer service

As noted above, customers have a hard time getting through to company representatives. In some KitchenAid and Whirlpool reviews, the customers complained about being taken around without being offered solutions

Returns and refunds

Both KitchenAid and Whirlpool reviews show that consumers have an issue with refunding and exchanging returned items.

For instance, in a Whirlpool refrigerator review, the item that the customer received was missing some parts. The customer reached out to the company to have the missing parts sent which was done at an extra cost of $400. However, the parts that were sent did not fit on the fridge and they had to return them for exchange. They have since reached out to Whirlpool but the representatives say that they did not receive the parts and won’t be able to send other parts.

 
 

Quality of products

There have been several complaints about defective items or items that break down after short use. For instance, in KitchenAid range review #2375730, the customer complained that the product had not worked properly since its first set up and they couldn’t get through to customer service for assistance.

KitchenAid customer review

Warranty policy

Several customers have had challenges with both companies in redeeming their warranty for repair parts and services as evidenced in the KitchenAid review (#2361602).

… I have been refused a store credit to obtain a working refrigerator by representatives of Whirlpool Appliance Care of Texas cannot get through to Whirlpool to obtain repair parts.

Best Buys will not replace this with a different refrigerator until they have authorization from Whirlpool …

Which is better: KitchenAid or Whirlpool? That comes down to what you are looking for. For washers and dryers, Whirlpool is the brand to go to whereas KitchenAid is renowned for their stand mixers. Regarding the product categories that both companies offer, consumers report that KitchenAid has better quality but the products are pricier. On PissedConsumer, both companies have similar ratings and complaints. When deciding between the two companies it is best to compare the product specification and prices against your needs and budget, then make a decision.

Have you had any experience with either of the companies? Please leave a review on PissedConsumer.com.

*The company ratings on the PissedConsumer website are calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the company’s profile. The algorithm parameters are: users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company responses and more. The PissedConsumer algorithm is also subject to change in the future.

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