Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are just a few of the most common questions I get asked about what I do. I'll be adding to this page as time permits, but if you have a question you don't see here, please feel free to drop me an email. I do this full time, and can usually get back to you pretty quickly on any day except the Lord's (Sunday, my day off).

Note: If there's a question you'd like to see included here, please let me know.

Q: It appears shipping's included in your prices. What happens when I buy more than one item in one order? How can I get a shipping discount?
A: When I originally set up the site, it was simplest to just include the shipping in prices. When you purchase more than one item that needs shipping, I simply refund the extra shipping cost, either in cash enclosed with your parts or via Paypal (crude, but it works)

Q: Your prices aren't the cheapest, and you've said you're a 'one man show' with low overhead. What's up with that?
A: My prices aren't the cheapest you'll find if you look around, I know. My passion and focus isn't selling parts, but helping appliance owners do their own repairs. My online 'adventure' started that way, as a hobby ('midlife crisis' therapy, to be honest!), sharing what I've learned in some 40 years of professional appliance repair. I LOVE hearing from folks who didn't have the confidence to tackle a repair before they got in touch with me. Every day folks discover that none of this stuff is 'rocket science', and that they can do it themselves - with just a bit of pro help. Now that's fun to be a part of!
I say all that to say this: When you buy a part from me, I'm included in the price! OK, before those of you that know me well duck and run, let me restate that: my personal help is included in my prices ;-). This is not something I do to make a quick buck, believe me (if money were my motivation, I would NOT be selling $7.00 thermal fuses or agitator 'dogs'). But I'm truly blessed to be doing what I love, full time (12/6), and I want you to know I'm here for you, 'corny' as that may sound. You'll have to decide if that's worth an extra buck or two, or whether you'll just take your chances buying from a 'parts seller'. No hard feelings if you do that, I'm just sayin' you get what you pay for...

Q: A friend who gets your email newsletter said you ship two or more parts freight-free. Is he right?
A: The last few years I've been pleased to offer this 'perk' to my amazing DRSNews subscribers with US addresses, yes. If you endure my rambling as a subscriber and order any two or more parts from the specials page (or others I personally stock here - just ask), I refund all your shipping. Note: 800# call-takers don't know anything about this offer; it's a personal 'thank you' to subscribers, from me to you.

Q: You often joke about getting older, enduring your 50's, etc, but in your website photo you look so young and dazzlingly handsome. What's up with that?
A: It's an old picture.

Q: Do your products carry any type of guarantee?
A: Yes, I warrant everything I sell for at least 6 months. I also promise to personally help you install them correctly. It may sound 'corny' in this day and age, but I see myself as a solution provider, not as a parts seller.

Q: You list Sunbeam Mixmaster and 'T' toaster manuals and parts. Do you ever repair these machines, or do you know of someone who does?
A: Yes, I mechanically/electrically rework vintage Mixmasters and Sunbeam auto toasters here in the shop. I'm not set up to do repainting here, though, but can refer you to others who are if a cosmetic restoration is what you're after. I also buy these machines for parts. If you have one and don't want it any longer, please don't throw it away - I'll be happy to buy it. Help me keep these American treasures out of the landfill!

Q: Do you provide local in-home appliance repair service?
A: I have for nearly 40 years, but due mainly to a fight with chronic Lyme disease, have recently (late 2010) discontinued this part of the business. If you’re located here in Bradford or Sullivan Counties of NE PA and need a pro, contact me and I can refer someone for you. Having said that, be aware that most appliance service, even in these more 'high tech' days, is NOT that difficult. In most cases, you can do it yourself if you're just a little 'handy' with a screwdriver. Helping 'handy' homeowners with this stuff is my passion, and I do it full time, so just ask - or click here to go to the index of DIY articles I've posted so far.

Q: Why aren't you selling the new Whirlpool direct-drive washer coupler #285753A, with the steel inserts? It's the latest version.
A: It has a couple of really troubling problems, and I refuse to sell it until they're fixed; please see this article

Q: Why is your website so, well, crude? It doesn't have the 'polish' other sites do.
A: I first published this website in 2000, and back then, most folks were on dialup, which was pretty slow depending on where you lived. One of the goals for web pages in that era was to design them to load as fast as possible on slow connections, so I went mostly with text. Every once in a while I 'stress' a bit over the simplistic look of the site, but then someone pops up and thanks me for making the information available. That's when I'm reminded that folks usually don't care so much about how 'glitzy' a site like this one is, but are desperate for the information they need right now.