With New Refrigerators Lasting 5-6 Years, I’m Ready to Retire!

Happy Veterans’ Day!

Vets + flag

I’ve been a professional appliance service technician for 37 years as of December first, and two weeks ago I walked away from my first refrigerator ever, giving up in disgust. I think it’s time to retire and just concentrate on the website full-time. It’s nearly full-time anyway, and I’m having a *blast* helping you do-it-yourself’ers with your appliance problems. Not to mention how much fun it is staying up here on the mountain every day with Gracie, and not burning $3 gasoline.

A well-known ‘offshore’ brand, this beast refrigerator ‘takes the cake’ for most ‘whistles and bells’. With a huge ‘motherboard’, nearly full-width keypad, all kinds of audio output, 7 thermistors sensing temperatures everywhere, 3 tiny low-torque 12 volt DC, variable-speed fan motors, and mostly metric hardware! And no service manual available anywhere that I can find. Amazing!

I’ve done electrical work all of my life, trained in and serviced electronics over the years, but this is really getting ridiculous. All this to refrigerate food?

I’ve mentioned this in a recent DRSNews issue, but if you’re buying, or recently purchased, a new refrigerator, budget for another one in about 5 years. I say that not to be nasty or cynical in any way, it’s just a plain, but sad, fact. They’re not lasting much longer than that. With their tiny lowest-bidder-sourced compressors, they use very little energy, but are filling up landfills fast!

Yep, think I’ll retire from in-home service. ‘Need more time to hunt, anyway.  

God bless,
Dave Harnish
www.DavesRepair.com

Nehemiah 9:6

4 Responses to “With New Refrigerators Lasting 5-6 Years, I’m Ready to Retire!”

  1. Maria Stahl says:

    Dave, welcome to Blogland. I think you’re right – this will be easier for you to keep up with, and we can easily subscribe to it in our readers to keep up. I have already added it to my Google Reader.

    Thanks for all you do!

  2. John says:

    Dave, glad to see you blogging now. I’ve always enjoyed your newsletter but blogging is quicker and more personal I think. I’ll be adding you to my reader so I don’t miss a thing.

    I’ll also be throwing you a link from my site sometime in the next few days.

    Thanks

  3. Steve Cooper says:

    Can’t blame you for giving up the battle. Planned obsolescence has become the new rule. As an old component level tech I understand your frustration. Just don’t give up the site. From what I see, the blog would be a viable replacement for the newsletter. If it makes life easier for you and gives me the same level of information, I’m all for it. Thanks for your efforts.

  4. Jayn Russell says:

    Dave,

    Can you tell us what the brand of “offshore” fridge is? I have an LG that is about3 or 4 years old and was wondering If I should get a set of the T-stat from you before it goes out.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.