This morning I went to find a replacement part for a maytag front load washer. It was a very expensive machine. It is about 7 years old, and of course, they have stopped making parts. I had the same problem recently with a 6 year old frig. Again, it was not a cheap refrigerator.
I just do not understand what we are suppose to do. Where is Ralph Nader? It strikes me that companies are crazy if they think I'm going to go buy a new machine every 8 years.
Anyone know of a place I can get repair parts for things they companies have stopped making? 7 years old and they don't make parts. My mom had a frig in her basement that is as old as I am-I'll be 43 soon. 7 years old and it needs parts, and of course they don't make them. Suggestions?
I can't find anyone making a knock off part or anything. I'm trying to find out if a different models doors will work, but I asked at appliance parts direct and was told I was out of luck. It isn't looking good for me :-(. I guess whirlpool will lose my business for life.
The first thing I did was google the actual part number, and then I googled for the part plus its total assembly-what's it's attached too. I think I'll call the manufacturer.
It's called planned obsolescence. Not helpful to you, but from appliances to cars and everything in between...
pcappliancerepair.com
You can google them and then call. My fridge which is about 9 years old - the computer went. To replace the fridge would have been 2,400. I bought the new computer and my hubby put it in in 10 minutes.
Great customer service, too!
Good luck!!
Ugh!
Around here there is a store called Habitat for humanity restore. I have had some success there, because they are a used appliance/home goods store. My fridge is 4 years old and I'm tired of calling my appliace guy already.
Perhaps homeownersip is no longer the American Dream?
Planned obsolescence is disgusting, wasteful, and expensive.
I have a 30-year-old Jenn-aire range that still works perfectly, but the most-used burner knob broke off. No parts anywhere (I tried Sears and the mfg.).
But we called an independent small-appliance repair person, and he jumped through some prodigious hoops to make a reasonable repair, even though the proper parts are no longer available. He was creative, and had a store room full of old appliances that he uses to patch together jobs like ours. I also have a 30-year old washer & dryer that still work great. I love the other suggestions to buy used appliances and to googling for parts.
Our repair cost a bunch, and we now have one mismatched knob, but it works, and is way cheaper than a new stove.
I tend to write to companies with nasty practices like this. One consumer complaint doesn't do much, but I wonder what would happen if more of us shared our disappointment in our products.
I think it's outrageous that they aren't making parts!! I agree that a lot of older appliances lasted forever - and I hate this "planned obsolesce" idea.
I'd call one of those old-time appliance repair services - we have a guy who's getting up in years but his son has taken over a lot of the business. He's pretty good at finding alternatives so maybe he has ideas. Sometimes when someone else tosses a machine, guys like that keep the working parts.
I'd also write a huge letter to the manufacturer (Maytag) (and whoever made your fridge) telling them that your next machine will NOT be one of theirs, and that, as a longtime respected manufacturer, they have an obligation to service their machines. It doesn't hurt to let them know that you've been on some on line forums trying to find parts, and their reputation is not as sterling as they would like. I think you can call some of your local TV stations and leave a message (or email) for the consumer reporter - they are looking for story ideas, and the overall problem you've cited here might be newsworthy. At least you'll feel you did something about it!
A lot of the consumer protection and advocacy agencies were gutted when funding was cut about 10-12 years ago, so there are so few people working on consumers' behalf. It's another way the middle class just keeps getting screwed. But yeah, we consumers also have a "gotta have the newest thing" attitude, and we are quite wasteful.
I learned this sad truth when I was shopping for dishwashers several years ago. The employee said, "The average lifespan of even the most expensive machines is only about 8 years now". Yup. You can buy more gadgets and remote controls, but not more lifespan. Making it mandatory to ditch and purchase more machines. It's a travesty and an ecological nightmare. I was complaining to my right-wing mom, and her husband said IN COMPLETE SERIOUSNESS: It's because of Obama.
BA HA HA!!!
It stinks.
Google the actual part number. You may find the part has simply changed numbers. I had that happen with our washer - the new part number worked just fine.
I've had some luck in the past finding obsolete parts on http://www.repairclinic.com
Terrible the way that companies don't back up their products. Hope you find what you're looking for.
Look online. There may be a generic part that will fit your machine.
ETA: I second repairclinic.com. They found us parts for our fridge. I also agree that calling a local small shop might be better than a big corporate store. They may know what works, even if its not the "right" part.
And while we are on the subject, if anyone has a sparking microwave, the FIRST thing you should try is a new wave cover. Mica covered cardboard. They sell them pre cut or that you can cut (using the old one as a template) online. $6, 1 minute fix. So easy.
Try EBAY, you'd be surprised what is lurking out there :)
I feel your pain. We did a big kitchen remodel 4 years ago, and all new Thermidor appliances.
Three of these very expensive appliances already need repair to one extent or another. It aggravates me to NO END.
Who makes a dishwasher where the internal plastic parts disintegrate within a couple of years? THERMIDOR, THAT'S WHO.
I have the same beef with my LG front-loading washer. HATE THAT THING.
I don't remember my parents ever buying new appliances in all my years growing up.
This is why I buy my appliance from the used appliance store. They just don't make things to last anymore. My frig is about 15 years old - still works great! My washer is about the same and the dryer even older - both purchased used and working great!
And yes, they do expect/want you to buy new every 8 years. It is no accident that appliances don't last 20+ years anymore - they are made not to last.
I've had good luck finding parts for appliances on eBay.
Both my brother and brother in law have a lot of success going online and just googling the part and model #. They have bought parts for super old Kenmore appliances on Ebay even.
They do this with lawn mowers, mixers, everything...they refused to buy new ones! My sister's appliances are the ones she's had since she was married over 25 years ago.
Good luck :)
I would look online. We have a Rainbow vacuum cleaner that if I want to buy parts, sorry have to buy a newer model. We bought this in 92 and I am not spending the money on a new one. There is a place I found online that sells parts so I get it from there. If you google the make and model number of the machine, you could probably get it that way.
We got a belt and wheel for our dryer by googling it.
Did you go where you bought it or to an appliance part store. We have O. here that's always had every part we've needed.
I agree with Dana, Google the actual part number.
As a third step, call an appliance repair company.
ETA: you don't happen to have a 3D printer handy?
We have had bad luck with appliances too I think.
Try Amazon if you haven't yet.
Recently we were able to get a replacement handle for our LG microwave above our stove. I found it for about $20 on Amazon. My husband was able to replace it.
The handle had cracked in half one day when my husband was just opening the microwave.
The same handle had cracked about 1 yr. after we got the microwave installed. The store sent someone out to repair it at that time. But now 4 years later, that store is out of business. It is frustrating.
Sure hope you're able to find what you need!
And good advice below about contacting the manufacturer. I may about our microwave. These expensive appliances just shouldn't be breaking so easily!
It's what keeps the big money makers making more and more money. We just built our home 7 years ago and both the AC unit and heat pump went in the last year, unreal. We replaced the AC, but the heat we were able to fix for about $1k.
Our washer and dryer lasted 5 years, but everything else is okay - and a lot of the appliances are builder grade.
My husband fixes 90% of our broken appliances/things and he is always able to find parts. Sometimes it takes more time than we would like, but he finds it. Sometimes he also has to drive an hour or so to get it.
Google, EBay, call repair people, put it on FB - that's where you will get the real connections.
I was told life expectancy of appliances are 7 years! Sad but true!
:-( That is very frustrating. A lot of time even though a company like Maytag stops making parts, another place will make a generic/universal replacement part for it, but sometimes they simply don't exist. I've bought parts from local appliance repair suppliers, Amazon, and websites like repairclinic.com. There is also partselect.com and appliancepartspros.com. Good luck finding what you need!
When our very old but reliable Whirlpool washer (25-30 years) died and wasn't worth fixing, none of the current typical brands carried in the big box stores were appealing. We replaced it with a Speed Queen, which I didn't even know was an option until a friend suggested we look at a small locally owned shop. It was exactly what I wanted. They have a 3-5 year parts & labor manufacture's warranty, plus 15 years on the transmission and lifetime on the washtub.
The model I got was about $740 which was a little more than I planned, but they are made (in Wisconsin!) to last and they stand behind their products.
Have you tried amazon or ebay? It's worth a shot.
Call a repairman. They often have connections to outdated parts suppliers.
Other than that you could find out if anyone has an old one sitting around they don't use and might sell for parts.
Try these folks
My son took a knob off my mom's old stove and went there to see if they had a replacement (this is maybe 8 years or so ago) -- just by the knob, the guy told him the make of the stove (Norge) and that they have not been made in many years (original to the house, so 1966) ... so if there is any hope of a part, I think they might just know!
I would check on line at different parts stores, I am sure someone has one. We by Kenmore products and they always seem to have parts and some of our appliances in the rentals are close to 10 years old.
Things are not made the way they used to. There was a time when people were just happy to have a washing machine let alone a new one every few years.
