This month was one of the most expensive for fixing what broke in the history of our marriage.
- New glasses for Bob and I: $695.00
- Claus got sick and had to go to the vet: $250.00
- Doggie Dental for both dogs: $295.00
- Bob broke a tooth and needs a crown: $350.00
- The goslings got sick and that cost me $270.00
- The dryer broke and the repairman will want a minimum $275.00 (you know I’m right!)
$2,135.00!
Something had to give.
So this week I fired the Maytag repair man. He wanted $89.95 just to come by and give me his opinion about what could be wrong with my dryer. Parts and his labor were of course going to be extra. Oh, but wait! After his visit if I didn’t choose to have him fix the broken dryer, then he would give me a certificate for $100.00 dollars towards the purchase of a new dryer. How sweet, but…
I don’t think so!
Taking a deep breath I went to the internet to see how to “do it yourself” and found these guys!
PartSelect.com http://www.partselect.com/
And once again I must clearly state that they did not pay me for this endorsement, they were just especially HELPFUL!
At their website I was able to figure out what parts I needed just by the description of the squeak my dryer was making. They also had diagrams, charts, videos, and even other customers instructions for how to take the dryer apart, replace the parts, and put it back together.
I ordered my parts, which by the way were exactly the same amount the Maytag guy wanted for his opinion. Funny how that worked out, huh?
The parts arrived in an unmarked box. I began to feel my stomach twist.
“OK, enough of that!” I told myself. “If Rosie the Riviter, could do this kinda stuff, then I can do it too!”
So, I cinched up my big girl trousers,
rolled up my sleeves,
gritted my teeth,
tried not to hyperventilate,
and…
BEGAN.
I mean what’s the worst that could go wrong?
Gulp!
A broken dryer, my trusty cordless screwdriver and my Cup’a Joe!
Pop the hood…
Hm…
REALLY… YA THINK???
=: – O
Remove the front panel, and
GAAACK!
Ever wondered how dryer fires happen?
Yup, that felt gasket is definitely not supposed to be stuck there…
I SPY: one computer screw, a straight pin, a lost shirt button, and one dime. (must click and enlarge to play) 😉
I gathered my parts,
Assembled the drum bearing, inserted it and the new felt gasket,
ALL BY MYSELF!
Well OK, I did have a technical assistant…
What new skills have you ever challenged yourself to do?
Life on the Farmlet 
Bravo!
Thanks, Julie! ~ L
Hi,
Wow, I am very much impressed, good on you and well done. I don’t know if I would of attempted this at all. 😀
It WAS intimidating, but not hard at all with the help of that excellent parts website! ~ L
Good for you! What a blessing the website is. Most people can’t afford to pay those kinds of repair fees.
That was my feeling about the website too! It was a blessing to be sure, Patti! ~ L
One feels so empowered after tackling a new challenge and wrestling it into submission! I love the challenge of repairing broken water lines or even installing new ones. i was most proud of a ‘plug/drain’ I put in a bathtub that was made from an old boat!!! Then there are projects made from driftwood – like chairs or beds, and my friends just laugh and say, ‘oh lisa!’ Welcome to the “I Can Do This” club! z
Lisa, your projects sound amazing! Do you have pictures of them posted somewhere? ~ L
Thanks! The opening for the exhibition (paintings) was last Friday, and this week is ‘catch up’ for all that’s been neglected. The ‘bathtub boat’ is a great surprise for people who see the bow of the boat sticking through the wall. Si, I will post something about the boat soon. Thanks for the nudge! Z
Can’t wait! ~ L
They sound like great find – we’ll have to see if anyone is providing this service in Europe. Surely they must be. We salute your determination and resourcefulness. We tend to ‘have a go’ but as that approach sounds, it’s not always successful! Well done on the cost reduction – sadly it doesn’t look like there’s much you can do on the dental, optician or vet front. We would love to see a smaller world, where barter with neighbours was a real option 😉
Thank you, and yes! The barter system would be awesome wouldn’t it? ~ L
Let’s squeak together… After having the new air conditioning installed, I know exactly how you feel. We also had several totally unexpected things ($$$) happen, a green card renewal and taxes to pay, cheerleading outfit to buy for our youngest, a storm shelter installed, it has been a very expensive year for us so far.
I am in awe that you fixed the dryer yourself!! You should be very proud of yourself!
Thank you, Anke! In this economy any unforeseen expense is burden. In spite of it all, doesn’t it feel great to know that you have a shelter when the next tornado comes through? I am very happy for you and glad for the safety of your family too! ~ L
You are far braver than I!!! 🙂 Good job!
Ha-Ha-Ha! Not brave, Candy, just desperate. But, think about this:
Whether or not I could fix the machine I still had the option of calling the repair man to install everything if it didn’t work out. Right? 😉
~ L
Very true!
Bravo, Lynda! The parts site is bookmarked. Thanks. Can’t say I’ve tackled appliance repair in my lifetime…but I do have a dishwasher that I think my hubby may have given up on. 🙂
LOL, Cindy! Like I told Candy, if you try and it doesn’t work, you still have the option of calling the repair man. Correct?
So, if it works for you, then you have saved money. If not, well, then no harm no foul, I say. Go for it! 😉
~ L
Somewhere I have a link to another good site – a place where you can get old repair manuals for just about everything. You have a 1957 Sunbeam mixer that bites the dust? No problem – go get the manual. You have an old camera and have lost the instructions? You can get the manual. Apparently I didn’t bookmark it, but I’ll make a point of finding it again.
A friend just did this with her refrigerator. It needed a new gasket, and she was hacked off that they were going to charge over a hundred dollars just to come out and look at it. I can’t remember all the details, but it was a story much like yours.
I’m going to have to start increasing my income a bit. After Mom died I went through a few months of “I really want to retire”, but retirement isn’t in the cards. Time to get out my teeny-tiny bullwhip and whip myself into shape so I can deal with whatever emergency is going to come down the road toward me!
Sounds like a good reference to have! Will be exited to go visit and see what other mischief I can get into! 😉
Sorry to hear you must return to the workforce though. That’s a tough decision to make. Whatever you do, I hope it is something you’ll find enjoyable.
~ L
Oh, I’ll not be returning, I’ll just delay my departure. I just realized I haven’t posted about work recently – you may not know that I varnish boats for a living. That’s one reason for needing to lose that weight I put on – physical labor in the summer heat will be much more pleasurable when I’m a little lighter!
Hear-hear! I’ll cheer you on if you’ll cheer me! Yeah, working outside in the heat is awful, and even worse when you have gained weight. BTW, I did not know what you did for a living. Judging by your writing I figured you were a professor at university or something! 🙂
You may have missed this article on GM food. It seems to be pretty good, but of course I’m not really in a position to judge.
The article is great and thank you for sharing it, Linda! I have passed it along on my Facebook page too! ~ L
necessity is the mother of invention… and it helps us learn new skills too! How do ya like North Alabama? I grew up there.
Love it! I am one of the newly unemployed/early retired and we can afford to live here on one income. Besides which it is just awesomely beautiful here. Thank you for visiting, and please stop by often!
Impressive to say the least.
Thank you for your compliment Tom! ~ L
Yeah, prices just to stop by and analyze things are getting ridiculous. There still are a few who will waive the service charge if they are hired to do the repairs.
The only ones who don’t charge around here are the ones that are servicing for appliances still under warranty. Sad. ~ L
$350 for a crown? I need the name of your dentist. I paid $900 seven years ago and that was after the $300 cash discount!
After insurance deductible, and it didn’t need a post! 😉
~ L
OK, I feel less ripped off now 🙂
Hahahaa! Good then. ~ L