Complaint Review: Sears Kenmore

I have named three companies that I know are involved in this there could well be others.

I recently had to replace the drum bearings and seal in my Frigidaire built 'Kenmore' front load washer model number 417.41142000, 8  years old, so no question of warranty. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the bearings and seal were not available separately but that I was expected to purchase the complete 'shell-bearing rear' which is the steel housing for the bearings and seal, moulded into the plastic rear 'half' of the outer drum, at a cost from Sears of C$199.55 plus shipping and taxes. I sourced the bearings and seal locally for a total price of C$33.66.

Similarly the brass sleeve, on the steel shaft cast into the aluminium spider, on which the lips of the seal run, was scored. Again the sleeve was not available separately neither was the spider one had to buy the whole stainless steel inner drum and spider as an assembly, Sears price C$ 245.90 plus shipping and taxes I sourced this from parts dealer, who incidentally told me they had 29 in stock for C$281.15 delivered to my local post office, not much savings there. The sleeve should have cost about C$10.00 with a good healthy profit.

I mention GE because some of their front load washers use the same parts.

Whilst I doubt that there is anything illegal in the above sales methods I believe that anyone considering purchasing one of these machines should be aware of the practice. As a final insult the stainless steel drum has a lifetime warranty but not the spider it is connected to and which, as detailed above, cannot be purchased separately.

Add the cost of the parts together, together with the cost of an 'authorised repairman' and the cost becomes prohibitive, I did mine myself. Perhaps that is the 'Sales Plan'.