Mommy, Bubba and Wubba (in the tummy) 2007
We purchased a top of the line front load washer and dryer. We spent a small fortune. I didn't care. I was about to give birth and my toddler was puking on everything. I was desperate.
At first I was in love. It worked like a charm. Then just a few months into our ownership it started to show it's ugly side. Luckily we had purchased a one year service agreement so the repairs were covered for that year. We have had a lot of service calls that we paid out of pocket for since then.
As you know, Grammy saved the day by learning how to clean out the pump trap. She has saved me LOTS of money with that little fix. (We have to do it every few months at least)
Well, last night, EJ and I were enjoying yet another episode of Burn Notice, when we heard what sounded like a power tool hard at work. At first we thought Pop and Grammy were working on a project downstairs. That seemed strange. It was late at night, the cowboys were sleeping and last thing we knew Pop and Grammy were watching TV downstairs.
We jumped up to investigate only to find it was our washing machine. It was making some seriously crazy noises. Oh goody. Another repair man call.
This morning I called for an appointment. I set it up for Monday. I was informed that the labor rate would be $129 + parts or I could pay a cool $344 for a year long maintenance agreement.
When Grammy came up this morning for coffee, I told her my washing machine tale. I ranted about how much money this jewel of a washer had cost for the past 3 1/2 years. Then I told her I was going to buy a top loader and be done with it.
Handy Grammy got that look in her eye. I know the look. It's the one that says, "I bet we can fix this." Next thing I knew she was searching on the Internet for ways to fix my model of washing machine. After some research she headed confidently to the washer, pulled back the rubber seal and dislodged one of EJ's dress socks from between the washer's drums.
I have run two loads since and all is well in washing machine land.
Handy Grammy, you rock my socks off! Or maybe EJ's.
P.S. Can I just add that this is one more blessing of multi-generational living. You benefit from the skills of 4 grown ups. :)
Don't you just love it when someone can fix something for you and really wants to fix it for you out of the goodness of their heart.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathize with your pain. I few years ago, we "traded up" with my mother-in-law and took her front load washer for our refurbished top load machine. This was supposed to be a "good" thing. It was newer and more water efficient and I washed more clothes and had a better back to bend over and get clothes in and out. However, we have since paid more in repairs than we paid for our first brand new washer and today I wait for the repairman to come put on a new seal for the door. In case you are wondering, our refurbished "used" washer we purchased for $150, when our first brand new one broke beyond repair, is still washing clothes at my mother-in-laws!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear we aren't the only ones! Is yours a kenmore?
ReplyDeleteLeave it to Miss Fix-it! :-) We have small capacity stackable Kenmore set we bought just as the frontloader craze started. 9 years and we have had the spring holding the drum break and thus, break the support arm. $45 parts fix from a dealer online. And, I only cleaned the pump trap once when we were trying to figure out why it wouldnt drain when the spring broke and dropped the drum. I AM buying a top loader when these expire, though.
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