Pellet heads!! What's up today?

I wish that had always been my plan. For all the warranties I have ever purchased, be it for cars or appliances, I have wasted so much money it hurts to think about it. They either go unused (no repairs needed) or when a repair is needed, it is such a hassle to get the repair done, it just wasn't worth the trouble in the first place. I actually had to cancel out of a warranty and get my money back, so I could go out and buy a new replacement appliance, because suffering the warranty process was so awful (Whirlpool washer). These days, I just don't buy warranties at all anymore.

 

It definitely pays to haggle. I got my honey a $900-1000 Kitchenaide dishwasher down to 350.00 that was returned and repaired-the original reduced price was over 550. Only caveat to get this price was that she had to but the extended warranty-and in my mind that was a given due to the return/repair. That was also the same unit that broke down a year later and she eventually got her 350.00 back that went towards a new GE basic unit that does what its supposed to-clean dishes. It does not have the fancy stuff the Kitchenaide had, but it works.

 

So I got a second opinion on the Washer today, and some great info / news.

I explained what I found - knowledgeable Service Guy told me I was mistaken on the 'clutch material', that it was wet residue from the plastic Snubber on the bottom of the assembly mixed w/ water, dirt, and grease from the lower external cam mechanism, that the 'playing card' sound was in-fact the Drain Pump bearings being shot, the rattling was the Drain Pump & worn plastic Snubber throwing everything off-kilter, and the belt was stretched and/or glazed.

So the tub is completely out of the washer, transmission seems smooth, tight, and silent, hose between the tub and drain pump is loaded with crud, pulley on the Drain Pump is wobbling / bad bearing, Snubber ring is grooved & worn, belt is glazed and rubber coating on all pulleys. ( Lots of cleanup to do before new parts come in. )

For the $60 bucks in parts, it's worth trying to get it back up-and-running for the immediate term - will keep you posted how it goes.

 

Ditto

 

That use to be me as I never bought warranties until a few years ago. Today more and more appliances have electronic brains and whatnots that can be expensive to repair. Although I have surge protectors on some items, others dont-elect stove, dryer, dishwasher are good examples. Plus practically no one warranties for more than a year now(which is complete BS) and power surges are not covered under mfg warranty. If 79 or so bucks covers me for 4 years for anything, including surges, on a $600-900 appliance and guarantees it will be fixed or my purchase price back in a store credit, its a small price to pay for piece of mind and worth it for me.

 

We have a 2nd generation appliance repair shop here in town. The fella repairs and cosmetically renovates old mechanical appliances. They look and work like new.

We have purchased two BB stoves in the past 8 years. The last one kicked the bucket this past fall and we purchased a replacement from him. It was 55% less than a new one at a BB store, works perfectly, and has all the features we require. It has no electronics, is standing pilot and the build is far better than what is offered today.

We will be purchasing a washer this week or next as our current 4 year old is giving us problems now. Again 50% plus savings with mechanical not electronic controls.

I am a great believer in simpler is better (in most cases) and these new appliances are just money waiting to spent on repairs and medication.

I plan to purchase all replacement appliances from this fella going forward.

 

For big ticket items I tend to buy the warranties. For the smaller items, I don't . My front load washer and dryer, I bought the warrantee since my last FL lost its brains and it would have cost close to what a new one cost to replace it (and that was from a small town repair person). And, sometimes you can negotiate the price of the warrantee too. Heck, I got a 2-year warrantee for a small power tool a couple of weeks ago because I declined it, but had been nice to the cashier so she comp'ed it for me - without my asking).

 

IMHO, if you can get older appliances that have been properly refurbished its definitely a better option.

 

Now I sit and wait, seems my new set up is working well enough to upgrade the internet service so I just sent in the upgrade order. We will see how it goes. Next up a long email to netgear, I would expect the folks who wrote a well used DLNA server to at least be consistent in their set up of it. Not so it seems.

 

KISS folks, just ask Snowy

 

Hey Larry what's this you gettin' older are ye OM? Have a happy. Did the family sign you up for an Amazon Depends subscription?

 

I agree....with all the electronics in these appliances today, if you buy a high-end unit, the warranty is probably the safe way to go.

As I've mentioned previously, I've stopped buying them....I never have used one yet. The standard warranty has worked for me (so far...LOL).
And there are still washers/dryers that have timers/switches like the "old " days. I had to replace both here at the new shack last year, and managed to find both in the "scratch & dent" or clearance section.
The dryer was a Factory close-out I found on Whirlpool's website.....got it for about 1/2 price, PLUS free delivery & old dryer removal.

The washer was in the Scratch & Dent at Lowes. I think I got it for about 40% off.....side panel has a crease that doesn't affect performance at all.

And as you can see from the pics, both are Energy Star, AND have regular switches/timers:

 

Agreed, we bought a refurbished refrigerator for the basement about 5 years ago. It cost $200 and has been one of the best purchases we made. The kitchen fridge just didn't have all the space we needed, so we store a lot of frozen goods in freezer half of the the basement fridge and, well of course the regular fridge side is largely a giant beer cooler with a little space set aside for soda, OJ, and veggies.

 

Thanks for the pics Pete - that washer seems to be a popular model, and the next step (or 2) up from the basic Amana model, and marketed under different brands (Whirlpool/Maytag/Kenmore) w/ the same control panel design. Reviews on that model are good, that's cool.

Parts s/b in by Wednesday, that gives me enough time to get the wash monster here cleaned up between work & everything else, Thursday is 'put the Washer back together' day.

I've been working on year-end accounting & tax gathering (oh joy, so much fun) to see what's available in the event this doesn't fix it, but have a good feeling I'll get it sorted and running - hoping for the best, but planning for taking the Boss washer shopping, in any case.

Off to work I go - have a great afternoon everyone!

 

Did some outdoor winter stuff with the kids. Now I'm inside warming up with a cold one and they are still outside. Looks like trying to get unstuck.

 

Son in law sent me a message a bit ago.

Guess he got us an Autroflamm pellet insert.

Seems he found it for Free (very good price)

Folks told him they wanted their fireplace back ????????????????

He is bringing it up today.

I fronted the $$$$ for 3 army 6x6 trucks for us to play with and he is finding goodies for me to fiddle with and sell to pay for his half of the cost of the Deuces.

Not sure what model it is or anything much, but the rumor is that it works fine.

We shall see.

Any input on this brand ????

 

Well its gonna get a little chilly tonight so I thought I would burn a bag of the good stuff. Cleaned the stove, performed a few household chores for the wifey cause she had to work this morning, woofed down some wings and a brew or two , then watched both of the NY teams play like crap and lose. Hope the Pack comes through tonight. ( lets go Smoke) Happy b day Savemoney $$$$$$

Doggy

 

The good news for me is I have absolutely nothing to gather (I get my W-2 from work and a statement from the bank that says I made like $0.30 in interest).

The bad news is I pay absolute maximum taxes .

 

Sorry to hear that. Imagine having that scenario, but living in NY.