Damned if you do, damned if you don't

**Frank McGrath** · 18th December 08, 03:21 AM

After doing apartment maintenance for 5 years and being a mechanic for 30, I have learned a lot about how things work. My wife decided a new stove was in order. We went to the local home improvement store and looked at stoves. Rather then buy a direst replacement for the 42 in range, she saw the 36 in convedtion oven for even less money than the 42. I asked her what she wanted done the empty space nest to the new stove. She wanted a new cabinet. So, she contacts with a home improvement guy to install the cabinet and counter top. We waited after delivery for the guy to install. and we waited. I finally decided that I could do it myself, wondering why she called in an outsider. When she got home, the cabinet and countertop were installed and I had already put stuff in the cabinet that did not belong there. She thinks I'm terribly smart. I thinkk any one could have done it. I like the way she thinks.

**auld argonian** · 18th December 08, 07:07 AM

Toilets are easy...I've fixed 'em, put 'em in, taken "em out...easy cheese.

My real forte has become fixing the laundry equipment. My dad's cousin, Frank Iglinski, used to be one of those Sears repair guys so I always joke that I'm "channeling Frank Iglinski" while I'm taking the washer or dryer apart to find out what's wrong (Frank is still alive and has quit the repair business to take a job as the concierge at a local funeral home...he's a really good ole guy).

Anyway, we have a parts store in the neighborhood but now you can find the replacement parts even cheaper on Ebay. I've had to replace the dryer motor twice and each time the whole motor assembly gets less expensive!

Now the good part! I ALWAYS remind my wife that if we had to call Sears or whoever in to fix these machines, they would charge at least $70-$90 just to show up and diagnose the problem PLUS the actual repair PLUS their mark up on the parts. "So...don't you think that after saving us all that money, I'm entitled to a little something for the effort...like maybe a new sporran or some bucks for the kilt fund?"

Best

AA

**davedove** · 18th December 08, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Now the good part! I ALWAYS remind my wife that if we had to call Sears or whoever in to fix these machines, they would charge at least $70-$90 just to show up and diagnose the problem PLUS the actual repair PLUS their mark up on the parts. "So...don't you think that after saving us all that money, I'm entitled to a little something for the effort...like maybe a new sporran or some bucks for the kilt fund?"

It seems I've heard that logic somewhere before. But dear, it didn't cost us anything. I bought it with the money I saved on the other item because it was on sale.