Repair Bitches

[Gary Sisco]

Has anybody else noticed how hard it is now to buy only the part that you actually need to make a repair? Every repair for years, now, is "modular." A couple of years ago, our washer's motor needed new brushes. Can't buy them, anywhere. You can only buy a whole new motor. The most recent is our range top. Two burners feature a super-low setting, where the flame turns on and off automatically, making it much easier to make slowcooked sauces and such without burning them. A condenser crapped out. Buy a new condenser? Nope, you have to get the whole mechanism, almost $400, just for the "module."

I won't even bring up the mad complexity and amount of gear required to make auto repairs. 1972 and before, most repairs I could make myself, though sometimes in consultation with gearhead friends first. Now you have to "run the diagnostics."

Pain in the sass.

[clinthopson]

There are so many things now that if they break down, the simplest answer is to toss them out and buy a new one. Big appliances and cars are a different issue, A service call is usually at least 75 bucks for appliances and a second mortgage is required for car repairs.

I've given up trying to repair anything but the simplest item. Everything is too complicated.

I used to be able to work on my cars, but not any more.