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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to want a tumble dryer that isn't held together by sellotape?

17 replies

TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:02

So, DH prides himself on fixing things. He is handy. I like that. But - our tumble dryer, that we got 6 years ago second hand, has to have its door sellotped shut, and the on switch sellotaped down, in order to work. Or rather, the on switch needs to be sellotaped. DH has fiddled with the mechanism so it will work with the door open (lock is broken), so if the sellotape doesn't hold, half my load tips out onto the floor and sits there, not getting any drier. We can afford a new tumble dryer, but DH reckons we shouldn't get a new one until the heating element he put in 3 months ago has worn out. Hmm.

Recently, we had no hot water in our upstairs bathroom sink, or rather we only had a dribble of hot water if we turned the tap on, then off, then on, then off, then on again Hmm. DH pointed out that there was that option, or we could use the taps on the bath. All true, but I wanted hot water from the tap.

I know I could just buy a new dryer/call a plumber myself, but DH does pride himself on his handiness (and he did eventually fix the tap). So we have old cars, old kitchen appliances, old everything. I guess a man has to have a hobby, but AIBU to be a bit fed up with this one?

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 06/02/2011 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:24

That's my inclination!

He is indeed raging against built in obsolescence. On the rare occasion we have bought something new, the salesman has regretted asking him if he wants to buy an extended warranty...

His proudest moment was a couple of years ago when he found out that the cooker he bought second hand 12 years previously was in fact made in 1984, so a new fan was unavailable. So he bought a different fan and made it fit.

It is an admirable trait, but not when his work shirts are on the utility room floor. I did point out he'd have to iron them if they dried there. He is wavering...

OP posts:
ThreIsNoSpoon · 06/02/2011 20:26

Hmm. The tap thing would be annoying.

BUT Do you NEED a dryer??

bluebump · 06/02/2011 20:27

Ours is in the shed and is the door is held shut by a saw or a piece of wood. We only use it at this time of year so we can't justify buying a new one despite this one probably being totally inefficient and costly.

Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:27

Ha! I told DH I was going to post this thread, and he pointed out that someone would ask that! Obviously I don't need one. But I want one.

OP posts:
Hassled · 06/02/2011 20:28

You must be getting through a fair amount of sellotape. Expensive stuff, sellotape. Work out how much it's costing you (you might need to lie a bit here) and see if that helps.

spongebobsquareknickers · 06/02/2011 20:29

Pft, at least it works. Mine died. RIP tumble drier.

Some people dont know theyre born.... Grin

Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:30

In our old house it was in the garage, which was about 15m from the house. We hardly ever used it then. I am spoiled by the utility room Blush

OP posts:
spongebobsquareknickers · 06/02/2011 20:30

Mine is still in the kitchen as I think its fixable though. Is your DH free? I have sellotape!!

Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:30

Ooh - he won't have factored int he cost of sellotape. He may have to do a spreadsheet...

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:32

Actually, he's outside under a floodlight, replacing the wing of the car that he crashed before Christmas, which was written off byt he insurance company, and bought back by him to repair. He did a round trip of 160 miles today to pick up a bumper and door panel. I'm not kidding Hmm

OP posts:
FoundWanting · 06/02/2011 20:36

Tell him that loads of house fires are started by old tumble driers. The build up of fluff combined with people botching fixing them themselves.

That is according to my BF's daughter's boyfriend. A fireman. And a man who walked 6 miles in a Father Christmas outfit just so his friend's daughter could catch a glimpse of Santa last year. I believe him. That sort of man doesn't lie.

seaweedhead · 06/02/2011 20:37

Sounds like something my DP would do but even he would give in when he realised it wasn't working!

WorzselMummage · 06/02/2011 20:40

ours was selotaped together for ages too but things kept going mouldy as it kept opening half way thought a cycle and i never noticed because I am a slob!

WE have a new one now after I pointed out to Dh that we were using 3 times as much electricy washing and the attempting to dry 3 times than it would ever cosr us to buy a new one.

new one i very cool!

Original poster
TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 20:45

It's not the cost that's bugging him. It isn't a money-saving thing. BeerTricks had it right. He is a man on a mission. They are much harder to persuade.

OP posts:
HuckingFell · 06/02/2011 20:52

What about one of these?

zipzap · 06/02/2011 20:58

How good are your handyman skills?

What could you do to sabotage the new heating element - or how much could he sell it for on ebay if he is so worried about it getting its usage?

obviously keeping foundwanting's advice about tumble driers being fire hazards - you wouldn't want a fire!

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