It's been a morning here at Monsignor Manor.

First I call Kitchen Aid about my rather-expensive-when new blender. Need a part. Have the part number. And get greeted with "Oh, that's a pre1999 blender. We don't make that part anymore. Would you like to buy a refurb?"

Would I like to buy a refurb? That I won't be able to get parts for when I need them? Hmmm, let me think about it and call you back - hows NEVER for you?

Then Panasonic. Need some tech support on my rather-expensive-when-new camcorder. Have the part number. Bangalore boy can't even FIND it in his computer system. Date of manufacture? September 1995.

Maybe I'm an old fool [cause there is no fool like an old fool], but I kind of expect that when I buy a name-brand item, I'm gona get treated a bit better than when I buy a no-name item. I expect there to be parts and tech support when I need them - not just in the first 90 days.

Am I expecting too much? Has growing up in an era when IBM Field Support Engineers fell from the sky when you had a problem ruined me? How long should I expect to be able to call a MAJOR manufacturer and expect some help? What's reasonable? I don't expect to call Ford and get parts for a Model T - but I got a '95 Cavalier - is Chevy off the moral hook here?

I dunno.....
-MF

Check mouser electronics. I know its not the satisfaction you wanted from the company, but you might find the part cheaper than a new camcorder!

Quote: Originally Posted by Monsignor Funkibut It's been a morning here at Monsignor Manor. First I call Kitchen Aid about my rather-expensive-when new blender. Need a part. Have the part number. And get greeted with "Oh, that's a pre1999 blender. We don't make that part anymore. Would you like to buy a refurb?" Would I like to buy a refurb? That I won't be able to get parts for when I need them? Hmmm, let me think about it and call you back - hows NEVER for you? Then Panasonic. Need some tech support on my rather-expensive-when-new camcorder. Have the part number. Bangalore boy can't even FIND it in his computer system. Date of manufacture? September 1995. Maybe I'm an old fool [cause there is no fool like an old fool], but I kind of expect that when I buy a name-brand item, I'm gona get treated a bit better than when I buy a no-name item. I expect there to be parts and tech support when I need them - not just in the first 90 days. Am I expecting too much? Has growing up in an era when IBM Field Support Engineers fell from the sky when you had a problem ruined me? How long should I expect to be able to call a MAJOR manufacturer and expect some help? What's reasonable? I don't expect to call Ford and get parts for a Model T - but I got a '95 Cavalier - is Chevy off the moral hook here? I dunno..... -MF

you have to look at the industry... expect to get 3 to 5 years if it is electronic related.. any thing past that.. well the industry figures its time for you to upgrade =)

and the way most things are built these days its cheaper to replace then fix. for an example .. printers... a hight end printer 2 years ago that you paid 250+ you can now get a new low end model that is 10 times better as far as technology is concerned.

gone is the day where you fix things. now its trash and replace...