I have a case of buyer’s remorse after an unnecessary dishwasher replacement.
Last week we had a new dishwasher installed. It works well. It looks good. But, it also replaces a 14-year-old model that was working just fine. Buying a new dishwasher was unnecessary.
Whyever would we replace a dishwasher that worked? Why would I not have buyer’s remorse?
A Sad Story
It’s a sad story beginning about two weeks ago. After our weekly family dinner, we were in the basement playing with our two grandchildren. By chance, our daughter-in-law looked up at the ceiling and noticed a watermark in the area below the dishwasher.
Pictures of wet drywall falling on my head created gut-wrenching thoughts about the cost and inconvenience of replacing the ceiling in a large finished basement area. The finished basement in this house was professionally installed with a stucco ceiling over drywall. Furthermore, it had a recent fresh coat of paint. In previous houses, I’ve experienced drywall installation and/or replacement. The mess and dust bring bad memories.
That evening, I unloaded the dirty dinner dishes from the dishwasher and washed, rinsed and dried everything. There was a plentitude of dishes and glasses that we used for dinner — plus the bowls and pots used for serving and preparing dinner for six people.
My husband and I discussed calling a repairman. We decided that a 14-year-old dishwasher was not worth repairing. We decided to buy a new machine.
The New dishwasher
Getting new appliances in this COVID-19 time is not easy. Our small city is in the midst of a real estate boom with many people moving here from Toronto. New houses and condos are popping up everywhere. Appliances are often back-ordered for weeks.
We were lucky to find an appliance store that had a stock of new dishwashers arriving in days. We bought one — sight unseen. Along with the purchase, we paid for the removal of the old dishwasher and the installation of the new one.
While waiting for the installation day, we hand-washed dishes after every meal. Our routines were disrupted. Who knew that two people could use so many cups, glasses and plates in just a few hours? We bargained for our weekly dinner with the family to be held at our son and daughter-in-law’s home. This was easy as Ontario got another lockdown/stay-at-home order so all dinners are cancelled!
Last Tuesday was the big day for delivery, removal and installation. As they pulled out the old dishwasher, the installers kept asking why it was being replaced. I told them of discovering the leak. But, under the old machine, everything was completely dry. In fact, sawdust from when the cupboards around the dishwasher were installed had to be cleaned up!
The leak was in the plumbing connection — not in the dishwasher!
By the time this was discovered, the new dishwasher packing was removed and installation had begun. We wondered if we should try to return it and have the old dishwasher put back with a new plumbing connection. Given the age of the old machine and the potential hassle of a return, we decided to proceed.
Buyer’s Remorse
Wikipedia describes buyer’s remorse as a sense of regret after having made an expensive purchase. I’m experiencing some level of buyer’s remorse about the new dishwasher.
There were likely many years left in the old dishwasher. But, how would we know that? Neither my husband nor I know much about home repairs. Handy-man is not a descriptor for my husband who always felt that using his knowledge to earn income was more effective than attempting a ‘do-it-yourself’ project. He never had a ‘fixer’ mentality and likely won’t develop one in retirement.
My buyer’s remorse comes from knowing that a call to a repair shop or a plumber would certainly have cost less than replacement. We made an expensive decision based on Google ratings of how long the average dishwasher lasts.
The choice we made was based on our reasoning that a repair could be costly and may or may not fix the leak. We were also determined to avoid major basement ceiling drywall problems.
I’ve dealt with some of the buyer’s remorse by successfully selling the old dishwasher. Once we determined that the leak was from the plumbing connection, I asked the installers to leave the old dishwasher in the garage. Less than 24 hours after posting it on Kijiji, it was sold! I didn’t get much money for it, but it was 14 years old and likely had less than half of its lifespan.
After a week of using the new dishwasher, I find that the dishes and glasses are clean and sparkling. What more can I ask for? We would likely make the same decision again.
From my knowledge of buyer’s remorse, I know that such feelings are normal for most large purchases. I also know that the remorse will pass within the next few days and I’ll be grateful for my new dishwasher!
Sorry about your dishwasher saga Jeanette. We had the opposite problem. Had to replace the old dishwasher but the new one leaked. Wishing you many years of sparkling dishes.
So far, so good with the new dishwasher! I’m waiting for the paint store to open so that I can get some ceiling paint to deal with the watermark. Paint stores are not considered essential in this lockdown. Thank goodness, it’s not a large stain!