Kitchen appliances get a workout at my house but up until recently I never thought I was too hard on my tools.
After 40 years of trouble-free use, my Kitchenaid stand mixer finally gave up the ghost two years ago. I promptly went out and bought a new one, assuming YA would end up inheriting it. Imagine my irritation when just two years later, the new mixer started to make a grinding noise that caused me to step away from it in fear. I called customer service (my company – as this is where I technically purchased it). I got told I had 30 days from time of purchase to claim any refund. Then I spent quite a bit of time “chatting” with Kitchenaid – this was when I found out that my very expensive bit of hardware only had a 30-day warranty on it. If I wanted to send the mixer to Illinois they could “do diagnostics” on it. Ship a stand mixer to Illinois? Do you know how much these things weigh? It took me a couple of weeks but I eventually found an appliance repair company that would deal w/ the mixer.
In the meantime, I couldn’t go without a mixer. I’ve never had a handheld mixer so I decided this was a good time. Did a little bit of online research (very little actually) and ended up getting a Hamilton Beach. It got me through Pi Day but then mysteriously the next time I used it, it started up as soon as I plugged it in, even though the switch said it was off. Luckily I was not holding it anywhere near the beaters or I could have lost a finger.
I did eventually get the stand mixer back (after paying an obscene amount) and it appears to be working. The hand mixer was still within 30 days so I was able to get an exchange. It also appears to be working. But two mixers dead in one month’s time? It makes me feel like a mixer murderer.
Have you ever over-invested (financially or emotionally) in an appliance?
