An Itsy-Bitsy Frustration

I'm an itsy-bitsy bit frustrated at the moment.

Let me just say right up front that I'm not looking for sympathy, rather a little head nodding and understanding. I'm pretty sure you'd be frustrated too.

You all know that we recently bought a fixer-upper. A repo snatched up by an investment firm and then resold to us. Lots of work involved. More than we anticipated, but hey, hard work is not a bad thing. I know it's not.

Wait. I'm rambling. Let me just get to the point here......buying this house has meant buying new appliances. Many new appliances. Refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, washer and dryer. I've hit just about every appliance store in a 50 mile radius (remember, I'm in L.A., so we're talking handfuls of stores) looking for the best deals. I found that buying my appliances at the Sears Outlet Stores was by far the most economical way to go.

Now here's the thing about the Sears Outlet Stores. Each store has different merchandise, and some stores have more of certain appliances than others. Since I was looking for multiple items, I went to multiple stores. Repeatedly. Most of the merchadise in the outlet stores is in some way cosmetically damaged, or has been returned and refurbished. With manufacturer warranties and such deep discounts, I figured I could handle a few small scratches or whatever cosmetic mar there happened to be. I spent HOURS going to different stores trying to find the right appliance WITH the least amount of visible flaw. I finally left the stores with lighter pockets for sure, but with the knowledge that I had just saved buckets of cash. Every item that I purchased was at least 50% less than retail. I felt sure that I could live with a few scratches. Afterall, I'd have brand new, fully functional appliances. Right?

Um wrong.

I was and am perfectly pleased (I'm trying to use new words here) with my refrigerator. Has worked like a charm since we plugged it in.

My new steam washer and dryer set charmed the washer woman in me. Steam to help remove stains in my children's clothes? I was inordinately thrilled with this purchase. I've been coveting a steam washer and dryer since I first found out about them. When we got home and my husband discovered that the special forked tubing (not available in home improvement stores) that allows water to flow to the dryer, (thus, the steam) was missing, my spirits were dampened. It was a small set back, but not a devastating one. I just had to drive all the way back to the store (in the middle of my move) and pick up the essential tube. That they forgot to include.

By now, I hadn't done laundry for a few days and it was piling up. Remember those 5 kids? So I started that bad-boy steam washer. And it didn't work. At all. The hubs spent HOURS trouble shooting. Nothing.

In the meantime I had finally unpacked all of my dishes, which means I now had dirty dishes, because faster than you can say scrumdillyumptious, we had used them. Paper goods get old fast. It was with a happy heart that I loaded my beautiful new two drawer dishwasher, and expected perfection. I don't think I was expecting too much. Just clean, dry dishes. That sucker didn't deliver.

I moaned and groaned thinking I'd have to go back to TWO different stores to return my defective items. But wait. That 90 day return period only applies AFTER a technican comes out and deems the appliance un-repairable. Fine. I have to wait a week for a technican? I can live with it, but I'm not exactly happy with the prospect.

I waited. A week. They came. That dishwasher technican conquered. Totally fixed that sucker up, and now that dishwasher is no longer a sucker. It's my beautiful new two drawer beauty again.

That washing machine on the other hand? Only needed a few parts that the technican didn't have. Like a new CONTROL PANEL. Not to worry though. The parts will be shipped directly to me and they'll come back out and take care of it. IN TWO WEEKS.

Do you even know how much laundry I wash and re-wash in a THREE week period? Lots. A minimum of 6 BIG loads a week. I KNOW that I'm fortunate to have a washer at all. I know that I should be counting my lucky stars that this little upset is just temporary. I know this. But I'm still an itsy-bitsy bit frustrated that my brand new washer doesn't work. Just like I'm a little bit frustrated that I will have three after school pick-ups come fall. I KNOW that I should just be glad that I even have the opportunity to be home when my kids get out of school in order to pick them up. Yet, I still wish there was only ONE pick up time. Same with the washer. I'm thankful I even have a washer. I just wish it worked.

Do I see any head-nodding? Please?