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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel upset at the greed of some people

82 replies

happyfrown · 22/07/2018 13:00

this will get me thumbs down but need to vent.

ive had my oven for around 5 maybe 6yrs, well looked after and clean. was gutted when a few months ago the fan went on the blink and I have to prod the fan to start the spin. i looked on ebay for the part, around £30. but watching the youtube vid to fix it didn't make me feel confident to do it myself.
so went to my local appliance shop. not a branded place more like second hand goods. asked if they sell any parts and if they do repairs. was told no don't sell parts. so i said ok if i buy the part off ebay could they repair? then he said they do do the part to order in but was more then ebay price but wont fit it? he said to have a look around if he had any cookers to buy. told him i don't need a whole oven just that part. sorry and left.
so last week the grill decided to pack up Sad only half the grill works. looked up that element possibly needs changing. again not something i comfortable with.
went to a different place, again new and second hand type. walked in asked about parts and repair. got a arsey reply along the lines of ''ooh you looking at £90 for fan motor, how ever much for an element then the repairs fee your looking at oh i don't know £200 plus. your better off buying new''

yes of course cos that will line his pocket more! i said i aint got the money for a new oven. mentioned that i found parts online cheaper if i can just get it fix. got a straight up no. even suggest i ask my family for money to buy new. family i don't have.

i understand they are making a living, i get they might be struggling and need every sale. i just get upset that if i could help someone i would. they would still get some of my money but not money i aint got.

OP posts:
Buzzlightyearsbumchin · 22/07/2018 13:05

That's not greed, it's business. They have overheads to cover.

Get yourself on your local Facebook selling page and ask. You can often pick second hand cookers up for £50 Or less around here.

PaulRuddislush · 22/07/2018 13:05

Sorry but YABU parts and labour cost money, if you're unable to fix it yourself what makes you think someone else will for next to nothing?

You probably will be cheaper buying a new oven, it's not "greed" it's simple economics.

Lanadelrat · 22/07/2018 13:08
Biscuit
Malmsey · 22/07/2018 13:10

But they’re ruining a business, not a charity. They aren’t your friend, OP. And given that your cooker seems to be falling apart bit by bit, they’re probably right about it being cheaper to buy a new one than to keep juggling secondhand parts and repair bills.

PeckhamPauline · 22/07/2018 13:11

@happyfrown I sympathise. I hate this throw-away society we've created where it's cheaper to buy new things then just fix the ones we've already got.

I would get in touch with the appliance manufacturer and ask them for the details of an authorized repairman in your area. You will probably have to let them source their own parts though.

PeckhamPauline · 22/07/2018 13:12

I meant rather than fix the ones we've already got.

iklboo · 22/07/2018 13:12

If you want to buy the parts yourself you're going to need to look for an independent tradesman / fitter to do the repairs rather than a shop. They're still going to charge you a fairly hefty fee for their time & labour.

It's not greed, it's business.

Original poster
happyfrown · 22/07/2018 13:13

wouldn't expect it to be fixed free im willing to pay, but if i can get a part for 30 on ebay why would i want to pay £90. i was asking if i bought the part can i pay them to fit it. but unwilling unless its their part. just seems unfair.

i don't drive to pick up a cooker, then id have to find some one who can undo the oven in and put in the replacement.

ok maybe greed was the wrong word. apologise.

OP posts:
BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 22/07/2018 13:13

They are not a charity and your lack of finances are nothing to do with them.

If you can't afford to replace an essential item your energy would be far better spent working more hours than moaning others won't do things for you for free.

Furx · 22/07/2018 13:14

You aren’t going to get a repair form an appliance shop... why would you?

And tbh, if that many things on the oven have gone at once, then he is right, it will be uneconomical to repair. I’d save your money, keep using the oven as it is, and keep an eye out for a secondhand one within your budget.

We’ve pretty much given appliances away when replacing just to be rid of them, and to pay forward the fact that we were skint we got them off others for bugger all.

theymademejoin · 22/07/2018 13:14

I agree with pp's. Plus, if you buy the parts on eBay, they have no idea whether they are faulty or adhere to safety standards so they would be mad to use them.

You should be able to buy second hand fairly cheaply but you can't expect a business to subsidise your needs.

WorraLiberty · 22/07/2018 13:14

They're not going to fit the parts you've bought elsewhere, incase the part doesn't work or they break it.

And how is 'ooh you looking at £90 for fan motor, how ever much for an element then the repairs fee your looking at oh i don't know £200 plus.your better off buying new'' an 'arsey' reply?? Confused

PaulRuddislush · 22/07/2018 13:16

A lot of trades people won't work with parts they haven't sourced themselves

TinklyLittleLaugh · 22/07/2018 13:16

Depending on the cost of parts it can be worth having a go yourself. There is a lot of information on the internet. My DH is always fixing stuff; breadmaker, nutribuller, coffeemachine, oven that kind of stuff.

KanielOutis · 22/07/2018 13:16

I think this is a bad example, but on the whole we have become a nation of waste and don't consider repairing what we already have before buying new. And new things now are built to become obsolete because that keeps the cycle of consumerism going.

Racecardriver · 22/07/2018 13:17

That's not greed. Greed is thinking that you are entitled to their time without paying what they ask for it.

NoelHeadbands · 22/07/2018 13:17

It’s just business, it has to be worth their time and most won’t fit parts you’ve bought yourself because they could fail.

abbsisspartacus · 22/07/2018 13:18

Get a local tradesman in mine charged me about 80 with parts to fix my fan oven he said the part is cheap but it's the time it takes to fix it that bumps it up he even said I could do it myself if I wanted too Grin

FancyADoughnut · 22/07/2018 13:18

Of course they aren't going to fit parts you source yourself as they have no idea whether they are genuine or working etc so they fit them and it still doesn't work then you are going to blame them. If it was my business I wouldn't take the risk so don't blame them for not doing so either.

PeckhamPauline · 22/07/2018 13:22

@KanielOutis Exactly! In our grandparents' day a cooker or toaster would last a lifetime. In fact I inherited my grandmother's old toaster when I moved into my first apartment.

QuiteUnfitBit · 22/07/2018 13:22

Look on Youtube - there's normally a video of someone doing the repair or DIY job you're looking for.

PaulRuddislush · 22/07/2018 13:23

My husband is really handy and his background is in electrical engineering so he can buy parts and fix most of our electrical appliances no problem but if something went wrong with a gas appliance or anything to do with plumbing he wouldn't touch it with a barge pole and would immediately get a professional in, and for that you have to pay the going rate

4GreenApples · 22/07/2018 13:24

I expect that they want to supply the part themselves because

a) they want to be sure it’s the right part, and

b) they want to be sure it’s in good condition.

Yes, eBay is often cheaper, but there’s no guarantee stuff on eBay is being sold by someone reliable. DH has on several occasions bought stuff on eBay that’s been advertised as new, but which is clearly second hand when he’s opened it.

Sparklesocks · 22/07/2018 13:25

It can be frustrating but decent labour is expensive - maybe try a few other places if you think they might be charging too much?

Original poster
happyfrown · 22/07/2018 13:26

boxset i didn't asked for it to fix for nothing. just that i can only afford the cheaper stuff.

worra it was his tone of voice. that i cant project over text.

ok so i never knew that these shops don't do repairs. i just assumed as they take in second hand and part exchange appliances to fix and sell. that they can repair. but now i know.

i guess ill be getting a new one.

OP posts: