 The
quest for the perfect dishwasher
| After making
a consumer purchase, do you feel an exhilarating rush? Scientists would probably
say the elation is correlated to the release of shopping-induced endorphins. I
sometimes feel this, especially after buying a quality product at a steep discount.
For instance, I experienced consumer euphoria recently after purchasing three
picture frames made of rich, fine-grain woods for some treasured family photos.
Cost for the frames: $7 each plus tax. But buying big-ticket
items is rarely pleasurable, because it usually involves work. For me, it's an
emotional and financial drain. But sometimes it's simply necessary.
Recently my husband and I considered the purchase of a major appliance.
During the process, several times we found ourselves at a juncture that required
a decision. Accompany me while I relive the experience, and see if you would have
made the same choices. The dishwasher
dilemma
A 2-year-old dishwasher in our 2-year-old house goes on the
fritz. It has two problems: 1) the plastic on the lower rack tines has eroded,
exposing metal that leaves rust on the back of my plates; 2) water leaks from
the bottom, due to a leaky pump. I call a toll-free number
and talk to the manufacturer's customer service rep, who says she can ship me
a new bottom dish rack for $115.50. Or alternatively, I could paint on a finish
with a tine repair kit for $20 plus tax and $6.95 for shipping and handling. As
for the leak, the dishwasher is out of warranty. I whine and complain that the
average lifespan of a dishwasher
is 11 to 13 years. I insist the dishwasher has a manufacturing defect. I demand
to speak to a supervisor. Finally the rep consents to sending a repairman free
of charge to troubleshoot the problem. A week later, a repairman
inspects it and says the pump needs to be replaced, at a cost of $150 for the
part plus $90 labor for installation. This particular model, he says, has a pump
that's designed differently from all the other models made by that particular
manufacturer. In other words, it's the cheapo model. Our home builder apparently
bought the least-expensive appliance in bulk from a manufacturer willing to cut
quality corners to meet this dubious demand. My stomach churns because every other
appliance in our home is made by the same manufacturer.
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