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Are Your Appliances Accessible for Service

One of the problems that I run into as a serviceman are appliances that have been ‘built-in.’  This is especially true of dishwashers that were installed before ceramic or hardwood floor was laid down.  If the floor was not installed under the dishwasher, then it is virtually impossible to remove the dishwasher without either damaging the floor, damaging the dishwasher or lifting the countertop.

Other examples are cooktops that are siliconed or glued down.  Hood fans or OTR microwaves that have been siliconed or grouted into place.  Stackers installed into closets before the doors and door frames were installed.  etc.

Pictured below is a regular Whrilpool washer that has been built-in with walls and a hard plumbed washtub.  This unit appears to have a transmission problem, but until the customer has someone remove the washer from its current position, I cannot do anything further.  Think about this when renovating or designing your home.

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Hazards of the Job


Getting a treatment on my chronic tennis elbow caused, not by tennis strangely enough, but by using a screwdriver too much with my right hand. Need to become a lefty.

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As bad as the Cable Company?

Hey guys – all you tech’s and service companies out there – is this you?

“After 20 minutes on hold, I was offered two times for a service visit – oops, we are disconnected, redial, get put on hold and 20 minutes later I’m offered Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Is Sears owned by the cable company?)”

Check out this blog where a Sears customer talks about her service call. Do companies actually make customers wait all day long?!? This is 2007 – we all have cell phones. Give a two hour time frame the day of the call – then call the customer if you are going to be late. Don’t make us look like the cable company.

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Baking Cookies on Your Dashboard?

We all know cars get hot when sitting in the full sun – but did you know you could bake cookies on your dashboard? Sandi Fontaine seen here cooks her cookies in her Toyota Rav4. I guess this would be a perfect solution to cooking indoors on those hot summer days – fresh cookies and a house that has not been heated up by cooking.

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Post Number One

Welcome to post number one. What I hope to do here is post the happenings of the Appliance industry along with whatever thoughts and comments pop into my mind. I urge anyone reading these posts to make comments on anything you read here (agree or disagree.) If you hear of something that you think the rest of the world should know about or if you would like a soapbox to editorialize on something appliance related please drop me a line at neighbour@neighboursappliance.com. Thanks – and have fun reading.

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