The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Chanel No5 on June 17, 2016, 06:45:26 AM
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My Premier Peerless electric range needs service. The heating element on the bottom stopped working. The rings and broiler work fine. I have the owner's manual and had model information. I live in a small town and there are one or two repair shops. I bought a washer a year or two ago from Dave's and had good service. When I called for the oven, I gave all information I could and said what was wrong. I had to wait a week as I commute 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. and that's when I cannot be around, but they come out late afternoons on Thursdays.
The guy was on time but walked in, hitched some sort of electrical gadget to the oven and read the problem as the baking unit is out. He didn't have the part and after about five minutes was ready to leave asking for $75. I pushed back and said that's not fair, the oven doesn't work, I did my best to prepare you for this service call. He gave other reasons why not, but not what I can do. The only thing he did was level the oven. He said he'll order the part and be back.
I feel like I got ripped off. I did not expect what happened and am not sure what to do. I wrote the check and clearly, my displeasure with service was made known in my face. I felt it drop when he was packing up. I was so mad I am not sure if the next visit is another $75 + parts and labor. He is the owner of the repair shop. What should I do? I feel like he took advantage of the situation and has a nice fat check and I have nothing in return but a theft of my money.
Customer No Service
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He came out and troubleshot the problem.
It could be one of four things I can think of off the top of my head.
He now knows what part(s) to bring.
That is an actual service. That's what you paid for.
It does seem 'goofy' that he asked for payment, did he say he'd call back with the price of the part and to schedule it's install??
But... now that you know (ie you have the information you paid for) you can order the part on-line and find a youtube video of how to replace it.
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Sorry you asked after getting stung for $75.
I would have told you to order the part via Amazon and watch a short video on YouTube on how to fix it yourself.
My gas oven broiler went out and needed a new ignitor. I never fixed one before but it was super easy. But I bought the part at a appliance parts store for $50, found it on amazon after $29.
Hope the service man doesn't charge you much to slap in a new element. Probably a 10 minute job.
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I recently fixed this same problem in my own oven - it cost me $26 for the part (ordered online). FYI - I am not an experienced DIYer!
Watched a video - no real problem fixing it (other than contorting to access the back of the oven).
I almost wimped out and called a local repair shop - it was at least $75 for them to come look. The part was going to be over $100, there would be labor on top of that.
If you gave them the oven model number, they could have ordered the part, but maybe they don't want to order because it could be a different problem, or that cost - they may be able to talk you into buying another oven.
I got the part on Repair Clinic.
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Thanks for the replies. When I placed the call for service, I believed the service call included labor, parts, time and travel. I did not have the understanding it would be $75 to walk in the door.
Based on the feedback, I'll give it a try on my own.
Appreciate your replies, next time, I'll talk to this forum first.
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Fees for service calls are pretty common. They are sending an expert with tools out to your house. By the time he drives out there, looks at your oven and drives to the next call, he's probably burned an hour.
Many places do not charge the service call fee for the followup call. (But ask if you are worried.) If they have to get/order parts and return, they often just charge parts/labor from that point.
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I vote this as fair. It would only be wrong if he charges you a second service call for them not having the correct parts on hand.
You paid 75$ for diagnosing.
I read an article once about appliance repair. Apparently they have absurd markups on cheap parts, and no mark up on expensive parts ( no ones gonna pay them to fix something that for 50$ more they can buy new....)