Maytag Dishwasher Recall - You'd think that would be bad enough, but wait....
Maytag has recalled 1.7 million dishwashers under the names Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Aire, and several others. There have been 12 fires caused by faulty heating elements, and Maytag has sent out letters to owners that may have purchased one of these potential fire hazards. I got one of these letters.
The letter instructs you to stop using your dishwasher, unplug it, and call their 800 number to avail yourself of one of two options:
Option #1 - allow Maytag to schedule an appointment with a repairman
Option #2 - Maytag will give you 150 -250 dollars (depending on your model) to replace the unit.
I opted for #1. The lady on the phone said they work on weekends - Would Sunday between 8 AM and 12PM work for me? Yes, it would. I give her my address and phone number. (This becomes important later...)
The appointment was scheduled, and I was very pleased that I would not have to wait long to use my dishwasher again. I'm really not about washing dishes by hand.
So. Sunday morning rolls around. I get up early, because it's possible the guy will be here at 8 AM. I leave him a message at 8:00, asking him to let me know when he's on his way to my house. A friend calls around 10 AM, wanting to meet for lunch - I'll call you after the repairman leaves, and we'll meet! Sounds good.
12:30. No repairman. I call the number the nice Maytag lady gave me. Left message number two. (It was not a local area code, but people I know are still using their cell numbers from other places, so I don't think anything of it.)
No word. No repairman. Of course I'm furious with the repairman by 5PM when there is no return call and the guy is a total no-show.
Later I think to look the repair company up in the phone book to see if there is another phone number for the office. I plan to call first thing in the morning. Hmmm. No such company in the phone book.... I Google the area code, and suddenly, it dawns on me!
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The genius at Maytag hooked me up with a repairman in TEXAS.
So, this is for YOU Maytag -
I have been inconvenienced by not being able to use my diswasher. (Or risk burning my house down)
I have been inconvenienced by having to go to the trouble of scheduling an appointment.
I have been inconvenienced by getting up early on a Sunday to be ready for the repairman.
I have been inconvenienced by spending my entire day off waiting for someone who was NEVER going to drive here from Texas to fix my dishwasher. (What did you do on YOUR day off, Maytag? I know you're closed on Sunday - I tried to call)
I will have to make another call to your call center, ask for a supervisor, and relay this story to him/her.
Then start this extremely annoying process all over again.
And by the way - the 150 -250 dollars you are offering "in lieu of" doesn't even come CLOSE to the amount it would take to replace the darn thing.
I know this because I researched it. It would be closer to 450 for a like model when I add in the tax and installation.
My choice for resolution now? Give me 450.00 dollars, and I'll have Home Depot install a new one.
At which point I'd be happy to update this blog post and tell folks how Maytag stepped up to the plate.
(Still.... it would have been nice of the guy in Texas to call and let me know he wouldn't be driving up to Colorado Springs anytime soon....)
If you own one of these recalled dishwashers, and opt for the repairman, make sure it's a local area code when Maytag gives you the phone number! (They're a bit geographically impaired over there.)
Update: This morning I called Maytag. Spoke with a SUPERVISOR. Yes, it appears we scheduled your appointment with a TEXAS repairman, so very sorry. Rescheduled with a Colorado Springs repair company for next Saturday. The dollar amount is based on an upgrade. Your model is no longer available. If you want a new dishwasher, you have to pay the difference.
Unfreakingbelievable!!!!!
Update 2 (email just sent to Maytag, Saturday Nov. 20):
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