"Steve B" wrote in message
...
My two year old Whirlpool oven quit working, and stayed in a locked door
position.

I called Whirlpool who referred me to a local guy. He wanted $80 to come
give an estimate. That $80 would be taken off the bill if we had them fix
it. Total for additional repairs ............ $275. In estimate, he said
it needed a board and a TOD, whatever that is. So, basically, as it all
worked out, he charged $80 to tell me that my oven didn't work, and that
he didn't have an idea what was wrong with it.

I looked at Whirlpool's site, and they want $450 for a board. This made
me suspicious.

I pulled the oven. Inside was the tech instruction sheet. I plugged it
in, and got an error code. I looked at the sheet and error code said door
stayed locked or wouldn't lock. It also told how to test the ohmage of
the motor, and how to test the switches with a continuity tester.

I did this, and the motor and one switch were bad. I went to the local
supply house, and bought the new motor with two new switches combination
for $62 including tax. I installed it, and the oven works fine. The
control board is obviously intact, and the TOD is TODding fine. He wasn't
even close in his diagnosis.

Now, I am going to contact the company involved and see what they will
say.

I don't mind paying a guy who is honest and does the work. I just see red
when someone tries to jerk me around by the collar like a small dog and
thinks I'll take it. My sister-in-law works for the local TV channel and
can get the people who do the stories about disreputable companies to come
out and do a story.

Even if they make good on the $80, I am going to contact Whirlpool with a
report and tell them that they are referring people to a shyster.

Next time, act on your own. Why in the world, given your prowess, did you
call in an outsider, in the first place?