There is a study that
says Americans eat out 4-5 times per week. This surprised me. How do
people afford it and even if it is just for lunch, how do people afford it? The
other question I have is why do people do it?
Obviously I do not fall under this group of 4-5 times per
week eating out. In fact because I eat at home so much I
think I wore out my range! My range is 10 years old and it gave out. Gone are
the days when a new element can fix an oven. With all the electronics involved
in an oven today, 10 years is an average life for a range. Here is the old range.
I made phone calls to repair people and discovered with parts, if available, for such an old oven and service calls it would cost about
$1,000.00. That is One Thousand dollars to repair a range that the industry
says is old and no guarantees that something else won’t go out on it! Let me mention that the stove top is just fine,
it is just the oven.
I prefer to buy from locally owned stores. I went to the
store where I bought the previous range. Sure enough I was asked how often I
use my range, the top burners and the oven. Every day appears to be an anomaly.
I peppered the sales person with questions for a replacement that is less
expensive to fix and will last longer than 10 years. The answers were not to my
liking.
I really do not remember 10 years ago what we paid for the
range or why we chose that particular brand. I like a gas top so that was a
deciding factor but anything else is a blur. This time around I went back into
the appliance store prepared having done my research. Unfortunately our range
is in an island and with size limitations our choices were reduced to about 4.
All 4 ranges are comparable to down
payments on a car! I was in huge sticker shock. I needed much more than
the coffee and cookies the appliance store was offering me as I made my
decision. I chose one that has a warming drawer. I also bought an extended
warranty because I use my range everyday so I hope if it wears out it will
still be under warranty. Maybe if I ate out more often like most Americans my
range will last longer?
Do you eat out 4-5 times a week? Have you worn out your
range? Have you suffered sticker shock in purchasing major appliances?
8 comments:
I have a 15 year old oven and a 5 year old cooktop. My oven should probably be replaced, but I'm waiting until it completely stops working.
Appliances are so expensive, but if you look for "as is" with minor dents or marks, you can find a good deal.
Terrible how appliances have such short lives now. Mine are 15 years old and still working fine, but who knows for how much longer?
That is what I did. When the oven said it was at 350 degrees but was really at 200 degrees, I knew the big liar had to go!
Helen, you are lucky! I have a friend who has an extra refrigerator that is pink and round. It was her grandmother's so over 30 years old and is still running!
Not these days with so many electronic components, well that is what I am blaming.
I wear out dishwashers! I run ours at least three times a day and, if I bake bread or wash greens, often four and, occasionally, five times. When I complain that the dishwasher doesn't last long enough, my husband points out that, compared to most people, I put three years of use on it in one year.
That is so funny Joy. When mine dies I know who I will call for advise!
Planned obsolescence, washing machines are the worst culprits these days. Do tell what you bought and I hope it lasts 10 years...
Dear Anonymous it could be a conspiracy theory! I bought a Kitchen Aid.
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