Thursday, July 31, 2008

Laundry Woes

When we purchased our washer and dryer, John and I agreed that it would be a very good idea to spend the extra money through Sears so that we would have an extended warranty and that if any problems were to arise, Sears Service Personnel would happily come to our house to either fix or replace the problem. We are VERY thankful we did that, as we aren't generally a very nice family to appliances.

We began having problems a while ago with the door-lock mechanism. Basically, the washer wouldn't start, and instead would flash a DL symbol that I later had deciphered as "Door Lock". A very nice gentleman came out a couple of weeks ago to give me that information, shake the wires around a bit and tell me that he hoped the problem was solved, but if it acts up again, they'll come back out and replace the part.

I was happy enough just to have my washer back, so I took it for granted that the problem would NOT come back. But, it did. And knowing that it was really a wire that wasn't connecting - I did my best to beat the machine (and door) into submission. It worked for a while, but pretty soon, nothing kicked it into gear....and upon further inspection I discovered the hinge was cracked as well as the latch. "Maybe they'll just replace the whole thing", I optimistically hoped.

While I'm happy that these guys that service our washer have both been nice and friendly - the inconvenience of having someone come out "sometime between 8 and 4" is a little crazy. I was pleased that they at least told us they'd call us about 15 minutes prior..... The first time the guy came out, it was around 5 pm, the time yesterday was around 8:45 am......

The diagnosis: Yes, our washer is sick. It's very sick. TWELVE different parts are being shipped to our house and the "surgery", er, I mean, repair will take at least three hours. No, they won't just replace the washing machine, I guess they rarely do it, despite how much more cost effective it might end up being for them. And, the clencher - the parts won't come in or repair happen until NEXT Friday.... the 8th of August.

That would be a time span of 12 days without the use of washing machine. Despite the fact that there are only 4 of us, we go through a LOT of laundry, so this is not good. The timing, however, is significant as we are leaving today and not returning until Sunday. Great, in that we won't be using the washer during that time, very bad in that we are camping and when we return, we won't be able to throw the clothes back in the dresser.... I might be taking an overnight trip to Michele's just to run at least 5 loads of laundry........

So, think of me this weekend when you run that next load - and I'll be back to posting this Sunday..... Have a good one! (And thanks again, Stephie, for letting me catch up before we leave with your washing machine.....!)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh what a nightmare! We are only three in our family and the laundry is never done. My hubby calls me "Our Mother of Perpetual Laundry" - which is the way I feel sometimes.

When I lived in DC I did not have a washer/dryer in my arpatment and there wasn't one in the bulding so I had to go to the laundry mat... 2 miles away on the bus... I look back "fondly" on those days, but I am so glad I don't have to do that anymore!

Happy camping! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

--Bonnie

Colie said...

Thanks for reminding me to run that load of laundry sitting up stairs:-).

I can't imagine not having laundry for that amount of time. I'm sorry Steph! What a bummer! Good luck with that. And have a blast camping!

Jodi said...

My other consolation would be that perhaps you can sneak off to a laundry mat with a good book when you get back and have some major Mommy time...? Although going to Stephie's house sounds even better.

My consolation on not replacing but instead repairing is how very green and eco-friendly of you! "Repair not replace" is a big environmentally friendly thing to do! Go Steph...okay, Go Sears!

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain! My kids are going to be at grandparents' next week so I'm stripping all the beds, washing comforters and dog blankets....my washing machine is 13 years old and I've let that Sears warranty expire since I know when it breaks I'll just want a new one! (Hmm, Jodi's making me feel guilty about that though.) Actually it came in handy at about year 2 when it needed a $300 part, though.

I think doing laundry via bus ride has to be the worst I've heard!

StephieAnne said...

Wow, thanks for the encouragement. Didn't expect so much response for my whining.....

Yes, we do plan on having fun - estimated time of departure - in about 10 minutes, everything is all loaded and ready to go.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

richard said...

Stephanie,

First off, have fun camping!

Second: When I am home, I only have my kids every other week, and have most of my work cloths dry cleaned (Hearing Jodi groan now) and still don't think my laundry is EVER done!

Lastly: Probably a bad time to say we get free laundry service in Kuwait if we choose to use it, if not we have a laundry trailers with 10 washers and 10 dryers! but at any one time several are always broken!

Oh, have fun camping!

--Rich

HollieHobbie said...

I wonder if we have the same dryer because the same thing happened to me, but the Sears guy could fix it here....

Genny said...

Good luck with the washer! I hope your laundry doesn't pile up too much.

Growin' with it said...

now a "true" sista would let you just drop the laundry off because of all your woes, heartaches and stress, right? what a big ol' bummer. heard you're campin? hope you had fun w/the "neighbors"! :o) we sure like "camping" next to them!

btw...i've moved...http://growinwithit.blogspot.com/ see ya there!