Just one year and two months ago, I got a brand new Whirlpool refrigerator at Lowe’s in Puyallup, model #WRT314TFDW. I didn’t buy an extended warranty because most articles about extended warranties say don’t bother; they’re a ripoff.
Well, the thermostat or compressor (don’t know which yet) has just gone belly up and it will cost $129 to diagnose it (Appliance Hospital will be coming down from Seattle tomorrow) and anywhere from $300 to $900 to repair it. It only cost $599 brand new!
So IF you get this model, be sure and get the extended warranty. I suggest that you not get it at all, though. It’s just not very good.
Just what I need, six months ahead of leaving for Costa Rica! Right?
I expect a large appliance to work for at least five years before it starts becoming problematic. I have had large appliances in the part that worked for over 15 years without needing repairs. This is rucking fidiculous!
The good news is that Appliance Hospital (recommended by Weir’s Appliance, who I trust) will charge me just $129 to drive down and diagnose the problem. If the fix is going to cost more than (or close to) buying a new appliance, I can decline the repair and just go get a new one, and if I do that I will definitely get the extended warranty, too. And it won’t be a Whirlpool appliance, you may be sure.
Whirlpool used to be a reputable brand. I guess that is no longer the case.
UPDATE: I canceled the Appliance Hospital call after they told me the probable cause and what it would cost to fix it (misbehaving thermostat, cost to replace — between $300 and $400 dollars in addition to the $129 service call). Instead, I bought a brand new Frigidaire from Albert Lee Appliances in Tacoma. They had two 27 3/4″ Frigidaires that were in their scratch and dent warehouse, and the lady wrapped up the one with the least visible damage for me. I pick it up tomorrow, bring it home in my SUV, set it upright for 24 hours, and then plug it in. It was only $399 and yes, I did get the five year warranty for an additional $275, which, all told, was about the price of an unscratched model. Learned my lesson!
