Is a Dishwasher Worth Repairing?
Sears Kenmore Elite
Seven years ago my parents bought a Sears Kenmore Elite dishwasher, and although it wasn’t a top-of-the-line model it still wasn’t cheap. The dishwasher they purchased was stainless steel inside, and it had many options along with a digital timer that displayed each cycle and counted down the time it had left before the dishes were done. I figured this better-than-average dishwasher would last for at least ten years, especially since my mom takes very good care of everything she owns, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The Cost of Repairs
A few weeks ago, their Sears Kenmore Elite dishwasher began making a loud noise during the wash cycle, and my parents thought the unit might be worth repairing. Since one of the baskets was already rusting and falling apart, I advised them against having their Sears Kenmore Elite dishwasher repaired. The trip charge alone would be $55, and I knew how much replacement racks were. I paid over $100 for 2 replacement racks for my last three year old dishwasher. By the time they paid for the new rack and the trip charge, even before we knew how much the repair would cost, I knew it wouldn’t be worth repairing.
The Cost of Living in Our Throwaway Society
In our throwaway society, very few appliances and electronics are worth repairing. They aren’t designed to last because manufacturers want consumers to have to buy these necessary and costly items again and again. Remember when major appliances lasted for decades? Those days are long gone, and now major appliances are designed to break – usually after the warranties expire. It’s no wonder why people invest in extra warranties, but depending on the item, even they’re not usually worth the added expense.
I wasn’t surprised when my parent’s found out their Sears Kenmore Elite dishwasher wasn’t worth repairing. After just a few minutes of looking over the problem, the repairman advised my parents to invest in a new appliance. The motor bearing was going bad, and it would cost approximately $400 to repair the unit, and chances are a sensor would be the next thing to go bad. Fortunately, the $55 would be applied to the price of a new dishwasher if they decided to purchase another one from Sears.
Choosing a New Dishwasher
If you’re still wondering if your dishwasher is worth repairing, visit local appliance stores and compare prices. At the advice of the appliance repairman from Sears, choose a unit that has both an upper and lower spray arms, and choose a lower priced model. Buying a more expensive appliance won’t guarantee it will last any longer than lower priced options, and chances are, no matter what you choose, you’ll have to consider repairing it or throwing it away in seven years or less.
