Two of these + shipping = $50. Oy.
"These" being roller assemblies for my dishwasher.
They're small plastic parts that keep the top rack of my dishwasher on the track. As you can see, years of washing had deteriorated the plastic.
(old one on the left, new one on the right)
This meant that almost every time you pulled the top rack out, it fell off the track, sending the dishes southward.
(If you pulled it out just right, it would stay on the track. But 0% of my children could manage this feat.)
Mr. FG poked around on the internet and found the replacement part. We ordered two because it's clear that another of these pieces is starting to wear out as well.
So, for the moment, I have a functioning dishwasher rack and one backup roller assembly.
I do think it's completely ridiculous that this small piece of plastic costs $20. I don't know a lot about plastic manufacturing but I just can't imagine that it costs anywhere near $20 to produce one of these.
And since most of the part stores were charging around the same price, I think the manufacturer must be the one pocketing most of the profit.
Anyway, I feel really annoyed about having to fork over $50 for two pieces of plastic.
On the other hand, $50 is a lot less than the price of a new dishwasher.
And installing little plastic pieces is a lot less work than replacing a dishwasher.
So, you know, it could be worse.
I just wish replacement parts were more reasonably priced....it would make it a lot easier to choose repair over replacement.
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Do you get frustrated by the price of replacement parts? And have you ever had to think long and hard about whether it was worth it to repair something?
(I did when I bought a part for my blender. I've now spent half the blender's value in replacement parts!)
We have realized that we need to replace the seals on our fridge/freezer and looking around online it seems it will cost at least $75 plus shipping. More than I expected I guess but way less than a new fridge. Still frustrating though.
We recently replaced some parts on my bike and by the time we were done, I think we should have just purchased a new, inexpensive bike.
My dishwasher tray does the same...whizzes right off its rollers, think I will search online for replacements, good idea!
(we are not at all practical, and hubby was going to call out for repairs)
I found your website doing a google search on painting furniture. If I blogged....this is how it would be. I love your site and I know I'll be back again and again!
We had trouble with the headlights in our CRV because the little plastic part that the headlight switch plugs into had a short. The dealer wanted to replace entire wiring harness that runs throughout the engine compartment. The 'part' alone was over $300. I couldn't find anywhere to just buy the little plastic plug, so every time it jiggled loose, my daughter had to open the steering column, clean it out and put it back together, or else she had no dim headlights. I figured it was building character and saving me close to a thousand dollars. (I know it doesn't sound all that safe but the brights still worked, and it didn't jiggle loose all that often.)
Eventually, we found a CRV forum that said to buy a recall 'service pack' for the Civic for $25 that included not only the little plastic part, but an entire new headlight switch. We did that and replaced it ourselves and she's not had any more trouble.
The real kicker, though, is last month I got a recall notice for the problem on the CRV. Took Honda long enough to realize that the Civic recall should have also applied to the CRV (they are the same car underneath the body). Oh well.
I had the opposite experience. My washing machine stopped working one day. A catastrophic occurrence as its on the second floor of my house and full of water. I diligently did my research, deciding it was a specific problem. Find the replacement part with only cost $3. Took the entire washer apart to find the part that I was sure was broken, was in fact fine. Ended up calling an appliance repairman. Spent $75 for him to come out, do the exact same thing I did, and tell me that the transmission had gone out of the washer and it wasn't worth fixing 🙁 So I spent $78 and still had to buy a new washer. It was a sad day!!
A few months ago we had to buy a new heater assembly for my dishwasher, and it was $130 for the part. My husband spent several hours replacing the part, but now my dishwasher works better than when it was new!
I think there's a lot more to it then the manufacturer pocketing the profits. I would guess that the online and physical repair shops don't keep all parts in stock, but that they order it from the manufacturer. A repair shop ordering it from the manufacturer on an as needed basis would include all kinds of costs to the repair shop and the manufacturer. Someone from the repair shop would have to take time to order it, an employee of the manufacturer (and this manufacturer probably doesn't even make this part, they probably make the whole machine so there are other manufacturers involved) would have to receive the order, someone else might have to fill the order, the part would need to be shipped to purchaser or repair shop and then shipped to the purchaser. It all takes time and the work (however little it may be) of people and people have to be paid and manufacturers are in the business to make money. That being said, I'm certain the dishwasher makers would rather us all buy new and not repair because there is profit in it for them when we buy new and probably not so much when we buy just a part. So they could be making it expensive to make a profit, or they could be breaking even. Or the repair shop might be trying to make money through one small order at a time. It's hard to say. Sorry for such a wordy comment, but as the stay at home wife of a small business owner I feel a bit of a need to stand up for business sometime :). As for repairing or replacing something, It's always a long discussion with lots of research at our house and very frustrating! I agree with you that it could be worse and that it's great to have a choice. I reeeeaaallly enjoy your blog and all your thoughts and look forward to reading The Frugal Girl everyday.
I was thinking along the same line. It's more than just the cost of the plastic. Still frustrating when such parts are so expensive. Good for you Kristen, for fixing it rather than dumping the dishwasher. Being married to an ex-custom home builder, I'm afraid new appliances have a rather drug-like effect on me.
The handle of the under-cupboard microwave that came with our house 10 years ago broke a couple years ago. My initial thought was "Probably about time to get a new microwave." Then I looked online and found 1) this particular microwave handle seems to break a lot 2) Replacement parts are not cheap. The handle, with shipping, was $60. That annoyed me. But two years later, we're still using a microwave that's not in a landfill. And when the part came, it was a two-minute operation to screw it in. So annoying, but I'm still much happier replacing a part than replacing an appliance.
I just recently ordered two parts to replace on our stove, one of the knobs and the plastic sheet that covers the clock area. Together I spent over $70 on them and yes I think that's high. I suppose that there are some costs involved in keeping parts to appliances in stock and I would imagine that most people do not buy replacement parts that often. I think most people just live with the problem until they replace the whole appliance. So, their stocking a few parts for many, many appliances means that the costs are high. I would think the manufacturer could do this cheaper, but I couldn't find replacement parts on the manufacturer's website directly.
Yeah, that's probably a lot of it...stocking parts that don't get ordered that often. Which means that increasing demand is probably a good idea.
What is driving me crazy are the replacement toothbrush heads for electric toothbrushes - $18 - 26 for three little heads? Really? Clearly the manufacturers are making an enormous profit on the replacement heads.
I continue to buy them as we don't have wonderful teeth in my gene pool and the electric toothbrushes have made a positive difference in our dental health.
Have you tried getting them cheaper on-line?
Have you tried getting them cheaper on-line?
If you think that's bad you should have seen the $30 plastic part that stopped my transmission from working :). It was no bigger than my thumbnail.
Just replaced the "guts" to our gas grill that we received as a gift 5 years ago as they had rusted away. The parts cost $30. and the shipping was $20. Granted they were metal parts and are heavier than plastic, but still $20. to ship is a little extravagant. But it is better than buying a new gas grill over $300.
I had no idea that "guts" could be replaced. We got a free grill from the in-laws and it really doesn't cook that great. We don't grill that often but it's nice on occasion, so I hated the idea of looking around for a new, or even used one. This might solve our problem. Thanks for the idea!
Try home depot or lowe's. They sell lots of generic bbq parts.
I replaced the heating element in my dryer that was purchased used. The part itself was $85, plus I invested about $15 in a voltmeter (which has come in handy more than once.) So overall, I repaired the thing for about what was paid for it. However, I did learn a lot about the guts of my dryer from the experience (like I had no idea the lint trap doesn't come close to catching all the lint), and it's one less appliance in the dump, so I'd say it was worth it.
We do want to replace our washer and dryer with a HE set that you can stack (as a way to add some much-need storage space and use less electricity), but even when we are able to do that, we'll make sure the set goes to a new owner, rather than being tossed.
I recently had to replace a similar part on my dishwasher. I found it at a local appliance parts store - couldn't find it online. It cost about $10, if I recall correctly. Much cheaper than a new washer, and very easy to install. Best of all, I now have a source for similar items the next time something breaks.
Plastic is manufactured from oil. Soon, plastic may be as valuable as gold at the rate things have been going. In the summer edition of More magazine, there's a whole spread on the uptick of plastic jewelry. Way more valuable than gold!!!!
Go figure.
I don't normally comment but this is from a world I understand. I have worked in Manufacturing Supply Chain (operations) and now in Sales (still MFG). The reason why parts costs so much is because you are only buying one. There is a basic set cost that comes with any operation (if you make 1 piece or 1000 pieces you still have to set the machine so that cost is broken over the number of pieces you run). In cases of "parts" they make most of the the economical runs on "production" orders like selling to Whirlpool who needs 1000's, not to the small guy like Dave's who needs 19. Company's don't hold inventory anymore because they do not want the assets sitting on the shelf they want that more liquid (cash). So sometimes (not in all cases such as this) you start to weigh out if you are going to get a better deal buying the part and repairing yourself, or a whole new product.... Sorry that was long.
Ah, that makes sense.
Thanks, Melissa! I was hoping someone articulate and knowledgable about supply chain would explain some of the hidden or unexpected costs. I only understand enough to know "there's more than that."
I love all the fix-it stories!
When my Kenmore vacuum was only a couple of years old (but out of warranty) the stupid little plastic piece that holds the roller bar thing (forgot the actual name!) in place snapped off causing me to replace the bar. Sears didn't have that part in the store and told me I had to order it by phone. The part was $50+ and shipping and handling was around $15. All told it was around $70 for a replacement part on a vacuum that originally cost $125. I went ahead and got it but was super annoyed it cost so much to fix in relation to the original price. However, I have had that vacum 13 years now and have never even had to replace a belt so I guess in the long run I am glad I spent the money.
We just went through a similar thing.
The start button on our microwave broke. We called the company, they said it will be over $100 to repair, which is almost as much as a microwave (we have an over-the-stove one). I told them that, and they said the recommend just getting a new one. (I bet they do!!!)
My husband pulled the microwave apart, and it turns out that all the buttons on the microwave are anchored on one thin piece of plastic (just a bit thicker than a toothpick), and every time you push a button, the plastic flexes. Well - after a couple years, this thin piece of plastic broke. So -- a terrible design means that there are tons of completely fine microwaves with a tiny bit of broken plastic going into landfills.
Luckily, we were able to rig it so we can use the microwave by sticking a chopstick in where the button used to be (we pulled the buttons out), and replacement parts do not cost much and are in the mail now.
But it seems like it was intentionally made to break! There is a 5 year warranty on the heater, but not on the buttons. A couple years ago we would have tossed it and gotten a new one - which I am sure many people would. It is frustrating that they are allowed to make products so poorly, that something like a tiny bit of plastic that is set up to break will mean big profits for companies, and appliances in landfills.
My husband and I chatted with our mechanic when we dropped off my car the other day. He told us the motor companies make it more difficult to repair instead of replace parts all the time. He said they are moving toward a "throw away" engine. How scary is that!
DH actually replaced the engine in our dishwasher. It was pricey, but not as pricey as a new dishwasher...
Got a used wheelbarrow from my brother. Repainted it, put a new tire x2 before I got an inner tube for it, then handle broke. In for a penny...got new handles. This thing has cost twice a new one. But it isn't in a land fill and since I didn't buy it in the first place that's ok. I find it sad that we do live in a throw away society.
OY indeed! It's a constant source of frustration for me that we live in a world where things just aren't designed to be repaired! And don't even get me started on cheap plastic parts that just cannot possibly last. My dishwasher bit the dust a few months back - but the part would have cost $150, and it wasn't something I felt like I could do myself, so include labor and it was cheaper to buy a new one. UG.
Similar thing happened with the washing machine - I pulled the thing out from the wall and was looking on the back for some sort of model number. All I found was a sticker from the place that delivered and installed it. It was dated July 16, 1968. At that point I figured there was no way I'd ever find parts for it, so I let it go to it's final resting place and bought a new one - besides, I think it had done its duty!
My daddy and I managed to fix the dishwasher last year for a third of the price asked by the repair shop. After that, I have no doubts about what's best. Of course, sometimes success is not 100% - my mom has a washing machine that has been kind of a work in progress for more than two years. Every time dad substitutes a part another breaks down...But I think is part of the fun.
Just loved your blog!
Yeah I know it's amazing what replacement parts cost. Our fridge is missing a part of plastic shelving that goes over the produce drawer...I checked into it and it would cost almost 300 bucks including shipping to get it replaced. I almost fainted...so we are using a piece of plexi glass right now.
Tried getting in touch with Dave via phone and email multiple times, but no success. So far my dad has been able to pull through and help us with repairs. Hope that when I really need ole' Dave one day, he'll return my contacts!
Gosh, that's weird. I've always had no problem with him responding to me. I hope he's ok!
Here's my problem. My dishwasher racks are breaking. You sorta have to prop up the plates in there! But replacement racks are...(wait for it) $200!! So, I did not buy them. (I priced them a number of places, too) Now, I can't get a dishwasher for that, but I can get one for $350, and the one I have is getting sort of old anyway. So, not being willing to put that kind of money into a dishwasher that's pretty old, we're just living with it now. One day, soon, I hope, I'll be willing to replace the whole kit and kaboodle. Preferably with one that's quieter and more energy efficient. (If the 238,000 mile van doesn't go first!) It's always something....
My most frustrating "replacement" part? Printer ink! It is sometimes truly cheaper to buy a brand new printer (which comes with the 1st batch of ink) than to buy more ink.
Is it the better environmental choice? No, of course not. But it's cheaper. And sometimes that's a hard choice to make.
I hear you on the printer ink! We have an HP printer that's about 4 years old and works fine. However, one black and one tricolour ink cartridge (the "value pack") costs $43 + tax at the cheapest place I've found. I think you could buy a new printer for that!
The silverware basket of my dishwasher started falling apart when the dishwasher was less than two years old. Because the replacement basket was ridiculously expensive, I repaired it myself with cable ties. The ties break down in the hot water, so I've had to replace a few of them, but in the last two years I've spent about $2 on cable ties.
The racks on my beloved Maytag dishwasher started rotting out and as they were plastic covered metal the only option was replacement. After checking out the few places that carried the racks I quickly figured out it was not much more to purchase a new dishwasher - Even with the new racks I would have a many years old motor. Purchased the new dishwasher & now wish my old one was back.
Glad to hear your problem is fixable, Kristen. I was very frustrated when our less that two years old (and out of warranty) refrigerator ice/water dispenser panel blew out. Repair estimate was about $700 ! We did not get it fixed, and will eventually buy a new one. Our repair guy says the fewer electronics, the better, when buying appliances. The old- fashioned refrigerators easily lasted 20 years.
We're going through that right now with our car. It's a hand-me-down from my in-laws and has needed a new head gasket for about a year now. That repair costs upwards of $2,000, and the car is only worth about $5,000. Plus, our second child is 6 months old, and the car is a station wagon. We want at least one more child, which means we'll probably need something with a third row. So, we're basically having to try to plan our entire lives in order to decide 1) whether to repair this car or trade it in, and 2) what kind of vehicle to get next if we do get rid of it.
I completely agree with supporting excellent local businesses. The few extra dollars you spend ends up going for peace of mind, amazing customer support, etc. It is really frustrating that a tiny peice of plastic could cost so much but it is probably because they simply are not made in the sort of excess that would drive the cost down. At least, you have the solace that you are saving your dishwasher AND that you're buying a specialty item vs. some peice of junk that too many where made, never sold, and ended up in a landfill unused.
I completely agree with supporting excellent local businesses. The few extra dollars you spend ends up going for peace of mind, amazing customer support, etc. It is really frustrating that a tiny peice of plastic could cost so much but it is probably because they simply are not made in the sort of excess that would drive the cost down. At least, you have the solace that you are saving your dishwasher AND that you're buying a specialty item vs. some peice of junk that too many where made, never sold, and ended up in a landfill unused.
This is one of my pet peeves! Everything is made to replace the whole item rather then just get it fixed or replace a part. If you do choose to repair, the parts are expensive and if it's not something you can do for yourself, labor is costly! It just a lose, lose!! All that said I would NOT be without my dishwasher!!!! We sold our first home and move to our current home mainly because there wasn't a spot for a dishwasher. HA HA!
Once my son broke the little plastic piece in the microwave that the glass plate sits on and without it the plate won't turn. The microwave was almost new, so I didn't want to toss it. I went to the manufacturer's website to order the part, not only was it around $30 it was on back order. I ordered it anyway and after waiting 3 months for it to still not be off back order I went out and bought a new microwave for about $100. The old one I recycled at a place that takes applicances.