For context, I have a bread maker that’s been serving us well over the last two years.
It’s a basic Hamilton Beach unit.
A few weeks back, I had leaks through the bottom of the bread pan. At it turns out, the seals wear out and eventually need to be replaced. In my case, the pin that holds the paddle (which kneeds the dough) came right out, so one of the clips must be busted.
Anyway, seeing that this machine is still under warranty, and these “seal kits” seem to be available for quite a few brands and models, I figure it would be an easy resolution.
Well, not really.
The company said they don’t have replacement parts, but they’d be happy to send an entirely new bread machine (different model) if I paid the shipping.
Yeah, no. Shipping costs way more than the part I need (almost half what I paid for the machine!). And it’s environmentally wasteful to replace a machine for such a stupid issue (they wanted me to cut the cord on the old unit before disposing of it).
To make a long story short, I insisted that they only replace the bread basket, which was a much lower cost to ship anyway, and I can keep using my perfectly working machine.
Side quest: I could look for replacement seals for this machine, but apparently, they are pretty model-specific and may not fit if it’s off by even a single mm.
Individually, mildly infuriating incident. But this happens so frequently for so many unnecessary things, it just pisses me off now
Yeah, I’ve been far more conscious of whether the stuff I buy can be easily repaired or not, and it often makes or breaks my purchase decision.
I wish consumers had more resources into what parts might break on which product, so they can actively make better purchasing decisions.
Had I known this part could be treated like a consumable, I may have spent more on a better model that supports easier repairs.
Which reminds me, my expensive blender has a jar with a built-in blade. Eventually, the blade will need to be replaced (actually, it’s the bearings), but since you can’t disassemble it, you have to purchase an entirely new jar with the blade! So, I sourced out compatible jars that have removable blades that can be more easily serviced!
I had to replace my RTic insulated travel cup because the lid broke. There are no replacements that I could find for it. They have a redesigned version with a screw on lid. All around better, but still nothing wrong with the cup I have, only the lid.
I finally gave in and bought a new cup. After a month and a half the lid broke (the previous lasted about 6 years). I contacted Rtic and they happily sent me an entire new cup… now I have multiple cups with broken lids.
This has all the makings of a romcom. One day you’ll meet a woman who has multiple cracked cups, but the lids are fine.