Crazy prices for appliance parts

[mrodgers]

Not an appliance story, but a car story with the same theme.

I bought my Pontiac new in 1995. I took great care of it and kept up with all of the service points and oil changes, etc. About 7 years into ownership, the power window failed. It was the little plastic clip that held the glass in place that broke. But they don't sell the clip, you had to buy the entire mechanism AND pay installation for a total of $550...for a $2 clip!

I only replaced the driver's window system when it failed. I let any passenger know that if they complained, THEY could pay the $550 themselves.

Still, that car lasted me 15 years.

I had the same thing only I was involved with an internet group on a 4wheeling site (before forums.) Had a Toyota 4Runner and had a bad starter. I knew I could just buy the brushes and seals and called the local Toyota dealer asking for the rebuild kit for the starter. "We don't have anything like that, you'll have to get a remanufactured starter at $450." Hung up, jumped on the net, asked what the Toyota part number for the starter rebuild kit was as the number had been floating around for a long time. Called back, got the same guy and asked for part number xxxxxxxx. He says, "Oh yeah, the starter rebuild kit, it will be $11.xx." This is all in a 5 minute time frame.

Even a bit better, when I picked it up, my friend was back after his day off when I called and he pulls up my order. "$11.xx, wait, here, fixed it for you, $8."


Now for appliance knobs....

Here you go, 4 appliance knobs for $15. Sears

They look like this....

 

[tvguy]

Not an appliance story, but a car story with the same theme.

I bought my Pontiac new in 1995. I took great care of it and kept up with all of the service points and oil changes, etc. About 7 years into ownership, the power window failed. It was the little plastic clip that held the glass in place that broke. But they don't sell the clip, you had to buy the entire mechanism AND pay installation for a total of $550...for a $2 clip!

I only replaced the driver's window system when it failed. I let any passenger know that if they complained, THEY could pay the $550 themselves.

Still, that car lasted me 15 years.

My family car is a 1987. My parts store is the junk yard.....oh sorry.....they prefer to be called "auto recyclers". I needed a seat belt. These places are computerized. I was hoping they would have the part....I was shocked when the guy asked "what color do you want?" $10 for a part the dealer hasn't stocked in at least 15 years.
A friend of mine (who is a Toyota dealer mechanic) went there, got a motor for his Corolla for $75. Would have been $125 if we wanted all the components (alternator, power steering pump, smog pump and a/c compressor)

 

[MickeyManiac]

Not an appliance story, but a car story with the same theme.

I bought my Pontiac new in 1995. I took great care of it and kept up with all of the service points and oil changes, etc. About 7 years into ownership, the power window failed. It was the little plastic clip that held the glass in place that broke. But they don't sell the clip, you had to buy the entire mechanism AND pay installation for a total of $550...for a $2 clip!

We just had this happen in our Durango. Front and rear driver side windows wouldn't go up or down. The dealer wanted $500 PER WINDOW to replace the regulator. We found a video on youtube and replaced them ourselves for $100 per window. That's $800 that the Stealership did not get from us!


As far as appliances go, dishwashers have become my nemesis. Our last Whirlpool only lasted 5 years. It cleaned the dishes OK but the racks rotted away. The bottom and sometimes our dishes would have rust flakes all over. It was $200 to replace the racks. We opted to replace the whole dishwasher. Here's hoping we'll have better luck with the new one.

 

[poohfriend77]

The lightbulb in my mom's microwave went out (microwave still worked just fine). She went to her local appliance store to buy a lightbulb, thinking it would be a couple dollars. It ended up being a ridiculously expensive lightbulb. The guy told her "it's not really worth the money... most people just buy a new microwave." My mom just smiled and said it's OK, my leftovers aren't scared of the dark.

 

[jmsaj]

http://www.appliancerepair.homedepot.com