It is simply GREED that does this kind of thing, I always wonder if the companies that manufacture goods are in cahoots with the parts vendors, asking them to mark up prices 500% so you will end up going to buy a new item instead of repairing what you have. Such encourages a throwaway society, very wasteful.
I think you're exactly right. The little repair stores that used to be everywhere always had parts. I'm only 38, and I remember this! Your Kennmore go on the fritz? Sears had the part(s) in the back. Any other major brand? Well, they probably had that part, too.....or the repair shop down the road did.
I hear over, and over, and OVER how this 'new economy' is about America turning into a 'service based economy'. WHAT SERVICE?!?!?!? If JD (and millions of others) wants to fix their appliance, or mower, or car, or whatever, they can't. If they want to call someone to do it, they can't. Everything is www. this, and www. that, and call the 800 number to talk to someone from another country (who doesn't speak your language very well) to try and help you...then (assuming they CAN help you, and get the part you want) wait a month for the parts to come from China...SERVICE, eh? Bah.
I think that's the problem. Most stuff even only 10 or 15 years old is now made in China, and the parts are from there as well. The Chineese aren't going to have the parts......or if they do, they have to ship them, go through customs, etc. Whereas, even a decade ago, SOME stuff was still made in the US.
If you're lucky to live near a distro point, like it sounds kenny does, then you truly are both blessed and spoiled.:wink: The rest of us have to pay out the wazoo for shipping, and wait for said shipping.....or have that shipping 'absorbed' into the cost of the part to begin with.
I also think you're right, JD, that the big stores don't want you to fix anything.....just consume more when what you've consumed before breaks.....oh, that's right that was the old 'consumer driven' economy.......what was I thinking?
