Okay, indulge me in a bit of hyperbole. Actually, after what I have been through, I could be close to dead. I awoke at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep after exbf left at 6 pm. I did not get to lie down the whole time, so my back hurts so much. At times like this, I wish I had strong pain meds instead of an aspirin. This is why I pace myself.
We did a few things after exbf arrived at 9:30. At about 11:30, we were almost at our destination when I received a call that this guy was on his way to my house NOW.
If you remember, I bought a dishwasher about 3 weeks ago. It was almost the cheapest one in Lowe's and on sale. The total after tax was $304. It is a no frills model! VERY basic. Delivery was $79, installation--$120, and carry off of old dishwasher--$27, fill hose--$20. Total for delivery--$246. No way! Why don't dishwashers and washing machines come with fill hoses? Why don't stoves come with the electric cords?
As I was sitting at the church lunch last week, I saw a man walk across the room, going from the dessert table to his table. At that moment I knew this man could help me. I motioned him over and told him about my dilemma--I needed help but not money. He told me to leave my name with the church secretary. I did.
He could not find anyone to help him, so his wife came. Four hours later with two trips to Lowe's, and I have a new dishwasher in place. This guy works on pools, so at least he had a basic familiarity with water and electricity.
We had a chicken in the crockpot. After the guy and his wife came here, I dropped four red potatoes in the crockpot. Reheated carrots and I called it dinner. At one point when I came home from somewhere, I could smell the chicken and sage from 20 feet from the door.
It's been a long, excruciating day. It is now Saturday morning. But, I can wash dishes! Well, when I can bend to load it, I can wash dishes.
Before exbf could get out of the driveway, I was searching the free ad paper for a haul off and the guy is coming Tuesday. So, there!
No, I don't care how good you are, washing dishes by hand. Be grateful you can stand that long! Just don't be sanctimonious here. I hurt too much. I am typing flat of my back!
Your turn
Have you ever had to pay so much for delivery, installation, and haul away for an appliance? Is this as outrageous to you as it is to me? Do you have a husband or son who can install things for you?
We have a dishwasher, but we only use it as a drying rack because we actually do wash by hand. A few times a year though, I run the dishes and flatware through just to give them an extra good cleaning. At work we have a big commercial dishwasher, but sometimes it breaks down and we have to use the 3 compartment sink. Leaning over that is a back killer for sure, especially for tall people. Glad you're all setup with your new dishwasher. Hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteLorraine,
DeleteI am tall and the bit of bend to wash dishes is a killer. However, if I were short, I would think water running up my arms would not be fun. I just cannot stand long enough to do dishes.
In the last five years I have bought a new fridge and washer. Both times I got the old one taken away and the new installed all included in the price and the price was the best I could get so it's not like the install fee was hidden.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time my husband installs, fixes and removes everything around here, including extensive work on cars. I wouldn't even begin to know how to do any of it
kylie,
DeleteThere is a sign that states the installation cost. Then, they ask if you want it delivered. I said, "And, you will carry the old one off?" Nope, another $27.
That's the kind of husband I need!
Hubs can do things but he takes so long and is swearing and angry the whole time.I think in terms of water and energy use a dishwasher (after cost) if run on full has been proven as cost efficient as hand washing or better.
ReplyDeleteSAM,
DeleteSAM,
DeleteI was laughing about the time and especially the swearing. It reminded me of the father in The Christmas Story, swearing as he fixed the furnace. I will take the swearing if that comes with the job being done. Energy efficient or not, my energy flags and I am pain when I try to stand for long. However, I have seen studies that say it takes less water for the dishwasher.
Linda I have a dishwasher but with just us two it seems easier to wash by hand. Also we have well water with a softener and sometimes glasses were getting etched. I am happy for you and I hope it works out.
ReplyDeletecarol,
DeleteThanks.
We have been told, am not sure if it is true or not, that the extra costs of delivery, hoses, etc is due to, pick one or more, - high gas prices, charges for commercial dumping, each installation requires different hoses, electrical plugs due to location in the house, cost of insurance on the delivery vehicle, cost of the delivery vehicle, cost of hiring an outside delivery service, or maybe it's just how the salesperson feels that day (my favorite).
ReplyDeleteHusband can install just about anything but as he ages (72) it takes more time and he no longer has the strength to lift really heavy objects so we require appliances be delivered. However, he usually can work out a discount equal to the delivery cost.
Glad you're feeling better, but pacing is the only way to keep your back from being more chronic than it is. I'm nursing a sore right shoulder, I'm right handed, and it is a real bummer but much much easier to deal with than your back. Keep strong!! Bellen, Tom's wife
Tom,
DeleteI was told that they never know what is involved in the installation. So, that has all happened in the last six month. It was a straight-forward installation. Water was right there, electricity, too. They don't dump. I am three miles from the store, maybe less.
A person who is in the know said that the stores see what the other stores are charging and match that to keep up...making more money is what I call it.
I have to be careful of both shoulders or I will have a frozen one. I pace myself about how many times I lift or reach up! Yes, a shoulder is a better problem than my back.
Did you get the email I sent you? I never got the one you sent me. Yay for a working dishwasher!
ReplyDeleteslugmama
DeleteGot it! thanks. YAY YAY for a working dishwasher is right.
Glad you got the new dw installed and in working order. Though I can wash dishes I understand it is more cost efficient as well as water saving to do them in the dw. At least that is the story I am sticking to. I am in the market for a new dw and Son2 can haul it in his truck so I don't have to pay for delivery. TheHub is NOT handy but I feel very fortunate to have a handyman I can hire when I need him. I keep a "jerry list" and when it gets long enough I hire him for the day.
ReplyDeleteAnne,
DeleteI am sticking to the same story. I absolutely love having a guy with a truck. Exbf got rid of his years ago, and it made me sad. There is a handyman who advertises but the two times he was going to work for me, he wanted to do things quick and dirty, never mind it was not going to work for long.
Bosch dishwashers are on sale at Lowe's with free delivery! You could pay for it while it is on sale and have it delivered or picked up later.
Lowe's doesn't charge to deliver here and they haul off for free. We have a friend who is a handy man and when we need help with installation we have him do it and pay him, not a stranger. I wash most of my dishes by hand, but like you, not when my back is bothering me. We have a stone tile kitchen floor and when my back is bad I can hardly stand to be on it.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
DeleteLowe's did not charge here until lately. I have a friend who would do it for pay, but he wants me to do the deed with him instead and refuses to do it for pay. Thankfully, I have wood floors over basement and crawlspace. I can barely stand to be on concrete.
I had a new full size mattress and box spring delivered (free) for one ds. But, we were responsible for dissembling and removal of his old, twi. Over full metal bed and mattresses. I helped DH load them on our truck That was a $20 fee at the transfer station! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteIn our house, the ones who are willing to help don't really have the ability, (including dh, as he is much older) and the ones who have the ability, won't help. (I'm looking at a certain teenage boy here.) Funny how people are so different, even in the same families, isn't it? I was always willing to help around the house as best I could (I am tiny) but my mother,and some of my siblings were, well, lazy about that sort of thing. Smart, kind, funny, excellent students, but no help around the house. This ds is the same...minus the good student part. God knows I love him, but man is he LAZY. I actually inadvertently shamed ds two summers ago by hiring a kid he recognized from school to do yard work.
Meg,
DeleteOne day, ds will regret not learning and doing when he has to pay. Good for shaming him by hiring someone he knew.
Is his phone in your name? Even if he pays the bill, I would withhold the phone access until he did things. You can cut it off on the internet. He will carry a dead phone. Of course, I would not leave him stranded without it. Cut it off when he is there. Maybe he could help pay his friends to work...that would fix his little red wagon.
I quit dating a guy because of his bratty daughter! I cut her phone off all the time because it was on my bill. It works. Her father thought I was mean. Oh well.
Ha. He has no phone!
DeleteAnd as for stranded...pack a quarter and hoof it to a pay phone. So, if you are where you say you are going to be when you syy you will be there, getting stranded is unlikely. *I* never had a cell phone, and I managed to get via bus three hours away to a major New Englqnd city to visit an older sibling with no problem. I called collect when I arrived at the station, and the parents didn't accept the charges! I hailed a cab to sibling's office, where her boss had me phone direct. Ah, the good old days.
DeleteMeg,
DeleteNo phone? How quaint...lol. Most parents think it is the right of every twelve-year-old to have a phone. I understand. Often I was in places I should be and my parents could not contact me at all. Amazing that I grew up without a cell phone.
Alas, no
ReplyDeleteI pay people to haul things away.
Ur-spo,
DeleteThere are guys who pick up things like appliance, lawn equipment, and tin roof material. They sell it for scrap at the salvage yard. Maybe they fix some of it. There is no reason to have to pay for a haul off. The dump is really close and there are three salvage yards. Of course, some people just push sofas off a road and things get hung on tree trunks on the way down to the creek.