I have some food for thought for everyone today. A while back we had an issue with our Whirlpool WFC7500VW compact washing machine when it got to where it didn't want to spin fast enough to expel all the water. We called for service and they came out and replaced one of the electronic control panels. Since the manufacturer's warranty had expired, the repair cost about $460 for the board and the labor.
So, after a while, Jo got nervous about the washer and decided to go ahead and get an extended warranty on the washer, at something like $300+ for the warranty. I wasn't sure whether it was worth that, but today we got word that it was a good thing.
About a week ago, we started having issues again with it not wanting to spin at all. When the service tech showed up, he determined that it was the motor. The tech told Jo that the cost of the motor would be about $800, so she was extremely glad that she had purchased the warranty. The tech also said that the motor was back-ordered until about the end of April. Some time later, they called back and said that rather than replace the motor, they would replace the entire washing machine.
Depending on where one purchases one of those Whirlpools, they range from $670 to $800+ for a new one, so it looks like Jo had the right idea all along. Had we known the expense of fixing these things, we would have likely purchased extended warranties when we purchased the Whirlpool set.
I'm not saying that this is something that everyone would want to do, but considering my extreme lack of knowledge with repairing a lot of appliances, it certainly appears to have been a good idea for us.
Terry
Mark Serley said
01:05 AM Apr 4, 2013
great insight jo, just wondering, did you get to tell terry "i told you so" ? just kidding, mark
MarkS said
09:14 PM Apr 4, 2013
All these years Jo has kept her crystal ball hidden from Terry.
I am a fan of extended warranties on appliances. Typically, the higher my average bank balance the less likely I am to purchase extended coverage. But on a washer/dryer/refrigerator I like the piece of mind knowing it will be repaired without much cost. Once we move into the RV I will probably be extended warranty poor. They have really paid off a few times.
nightsky said
09:54 PM Apr 4, 2013
What bothers me is the planned obsolescence these days. As soon as the manufacturer's warranty expires, so does the appliance, and repair parts cost almost as much as buying a new one. If companies want to build disposable items then they should price them accordingly.
(Nightsky is disgruntled that her "disposable" 6 -month-old Daisy 880 BB gun has stopped pressurizing and the BB's are just rolling out the end of the muzzle. The several dozen cowbirds who were the intended targets for said BB gun are now quite happily chowing down all the bird seed intended for the songbirds. LOL)
I have some food for thought for everyone today. A while back we had an issue with our Whirlpool WFC7500VW compact washing machine when it got to where it didn't want to spin fast enough to expel all the water. We called for service and they came out and replaced one of the electronic control panels. Since the manufacturer's warranty had expired, the repair cost about $460 for the board and the labor.
So, after a while, Jo got nervous about the washer and decided to go ahead and get an extended warranty on the washer, at something like $300+ for the warranty. I wasn't sure whether it was worth that, but today we got word that it was a good thing.
About a week ago, we started having issues again with it not wanting to spin at all. When the service tech showed up, he determined that it was the motor. The tech told Jo that the cost of the motor would be about $800, so she was extremely glad that she had purchased the warranty. The tech also said that the motor was back-ordered until about the end of April. Some time later, they called back and said that rather than replace the motor, they would replace the entire washing machine.
Depending on where one purchases one of those Whirlpools, they range from $670 to $800+ for a new one, so it looks like Jo had the right idea all along. Had we known the expense of fixing these things, we would have likely purchased extended warranties when we purchased the Whirlpool set.
I'm not saying that this is something that everyone would want to do, but considering my extreme lack of knowledge with repairing a lot of appliances, it certainly appears to have been a good idea for us.
Terry
I am a fan of extended warranties on appliances. Typically, the higher my average bank balance the less likely I am to purchase extended coverage. But on a washer/dryer/refrigerator I like the piece of mind knowing it will be repaired without much cost. Once we move into the RV I will probably be extended warranty poor. They have really paid off a few times.
(Nightsky is disgruntled that her "disposable" 6 -month-old Daisy 880 BB gun has stopped pressurizing and the BB's are just rolling out the end of the muzzle. The several dozen cowbirds who were the intended targets for said BB gun are now quite happily chowing down all the bird seed intended for the songbirds. LOL)