Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. ~Albert Einstein
My washing machine is broken. The one we bought eight months ago. It wasn't cheap, and we've been stupidly careful with it. It's all electronic (which I HATE, but you can't get simple stuff anymore -- my last washer/dryer set lasted me 14 years and was one of the least expensive models they sell). We were warned it can fry its circuits in a thunderstorm and we should make sure it's unplugged. Since we get storms regularly, I just unplug it whenever I'm not using it.
It was acting a little funky for a while, but decided to stop working altogether on Saturday (luckily, I was able to get out the clothes that were in it -- the door was locked and didn't want to open but it had just enough life left that I messed with it a bit and got it to release).
The problem is this: it's HOT here. DH and DD have been going to the lake constantly (Fri, Sat and now today). We're sweaty and "lakey" and generally icky. We're having what Judy called "two shower days". We don't have AC in the house and not only can we not wear anything more than once, there are times we'll end up changing mid-day.
We're running out of clothes.
The repairman doesn't come until tomorrow. And -- what if, even then, he can't fix it? What if he needs parts or something? I do not want to go to the Laundromat. OTOH, it's end of season out there -- I could go on a shopping spree and get summer clothes wicked cheap.
Hmmmmm............. an excuse to shop?
Still, why isn't anything built to last anymore? My DH and I have been mulling about replacing my 4Runner. It has 260,000 miles on it, so it's getting up there. BUT... there's nothing wrong with it. It runs like a champ. Makes it hard to get rid of, yanno? And the stuff they build now? All the electronic doo-dads that make stuff so nifty? It's more stuff to break AND it's expensive to fix.
It was the same thing for me at the cell phone place. I haven't replaced mine in three years, so it was time. Here's the thing: I don't text, I don't access my email, I don't play games, I don't download ringtones... I USE IT FOR PHONE CALLS. I know, I know... shocking. The problem was, 90% of the phones they had for sale have little mini-keyboards on them now. I just want a phone with a numerical keypad. It's easy, simple, basic. I want to open it up and dial a phone number. It's a cell PHONE not a cell COMPUTER.
**sigh**
I miss simpler times.
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13 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. After the tidal wave incident we considered actually getting a cell phone. However, even cheap ole track phones have a camera and texting. Ugh! They do have that phone advertised in those newspaper inserts with large print and ONLY numbers. If it's not too expensive, we may go with that,
It just cost us $45 to have our "check engine" light reset on our Subaru. It came on because I didn't tighten the gas cap "sufficiently".
The electronic locks on our van are wonky. In order to unlock the doors I have to stand on one foot and say the magic words in Sri Lankan while simultaneously flapping my elbows.
Isn't it amazing how with technology, nothing lasts more than a year.
Ref: I miss simpler times.
LOL. You're preaching to the choir on that one.
Electronics are less reliable that's for sure.
As for cell phones. I had mine for more than five years. I had to keep "upgrading" the software on it, something the provider did on their computer. Finally they said it couldn't be upgraded anymore. It was obsolete.
I would like an I-phone though. So far from what I've been hearing, it's been the most reliable e-reader on the market--and less expensive than all the other readers, plus I can still use it as a cell phone.
You know, it's funny how older electronics last so much longer than the new stuff. It's a conspiracy I tell ya! LOL!
LOL, I only use my phone to talk too!! ANd have never bought a new one, I take my daughter's hand-me-downs:)
As for washers, my first lasted for ever it seemed and then we got one 8 years ago and it has been problems and problems.
Right there with you on all of this.
You know I'm with you on this. In the six years we've lived in our brand new, built-from-scratch house, nearly every single one of our (top of the line) appliances has failed.
We are now going on our FOURTH cooktop, the dishwasher needs a staff of repair technicians to keep it running (which means that we use it so infrequently that I'm thinking about converting the space to drawers), the heating elements on our oven have all needed to be replaced, and the refrigerator keeps making a wonky whistle that worries me. Our warranties were worth every penny, but when I think about our hopes for years of trouble-free appliances, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
If I had known then what I know now, I'd have either purchased a soapstone stove/bake oven/water heater or scoured e-Bay until I found vintage 70s appliances... even if they limited my kitchen colors to avocado green or harvest gold.
FWIW, we keep a black rotary dial phone around for power outages.
Oh no hate when washing machines go out. Having a washer dryer one of the few things I miss from my townhouse. And the washer was a hand me down from my late ex-mil. It was 8-10 yrs old when we got it and we had it for 4 yrs. It was still running great when I sold the townhouse.
I love my cellphone, I got the new iPhone (omg so expensive lol) but I use it so much. I txt a lot (especially with my sis, she is my bff too lol) nice to access internet from it especially when I was lost the other day!
In the 4 yrs I lived in the townhouse the brand new fridge had to be replaced after 1 1/2 yrs, on the 2nd fridge the ice maker went out after 6 months, the brand new stove/oven, the oven stopped heating all of sudden, 2 repairs later and then my good for nothing ex did something to the over door so it won't close anymore. Sigh lol
You can't even OPEN the washer without power?! That's just insane!!! What moron designed that?
Just to follow up everyone's obvious displeasure with modern tech, don't forget there are a few of us very young folks using 3 year old (or more? I got it used, so I'm not exactly sure how old the thing is...) cell phones and washers and dryers and loving it! My car (her name is Rhonda, b/c she's run to here, run to there, run to everywhere!) has 160,000+ miles and still going strong. Not trading any of the above in for newer models anytime soon. Got more important things, ya know?
My jeep is over 13 years old, it was 12 years old when we bought it and my hubs? SO not mechanically inclined (computers yes-cars no). *G* But, we've only had a few problems with it that were taken care of, while the mini van I had before the jeep was 6 years old and a PITA as SOMETHING ALWAYS WENT WRONG WITH IT. Ugh. Hated that thing and celebrated when it went bye-bye. *G* I like my cell phone, it's two years old and has been acting a bit wonky but I keep telling hubs I want to keep it. I don't get trading in every year which he would do if I let him. And I have a washer like yours, we bought it three years ago and after a year something went wrong with it AND the dryer we bought at the same time. *sigh* Those extended warranties are really worth it, but you're right. They don't seem to make things with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship as they used to.
I hope the washer is an easy fix and that you have a good day!
I totally agree. All the electronics make the appliances prone to expensive breakdowns.
My washing machine broke down the day before Christmas. Everything shuts down in NZ over Christmas and New Year and the service men all laughed at me when I begged them to come and fix my machine. In my experience the washing machine/dishwasher break down at the most inconvenient times!
I hope yours is fixed soon. The naked look isn't always fun. :)
My baby brother bought a brand new truck Saturday. Got a flat Monday. Since the tire has an air pressure sensor, Pep Boys wanted $180 to replace it! The dealer was less, but dang, that's scary to think it's so much because of technology.
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