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Need some advice about dishwasher damage

Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
6,031 views
Our three-year-old dishwasher had to be replaced the second week of July due to damage by a renter (they apparently either sat or fell on the door). I just got a call from the rental company saying that renters had bent the latch on the new one so that it wouldn't lock when closed and thus wouldn't turn on. I'm in shock.

The rental company was able to bend the latch so that the door would lock, but now that the metal was weakened by being bent, you know this problem is going to happen again and again.

I went online and read some customer complaints about KitchenAid dishwashers. Apparently if the door is slammed, the latch can be bent. I don't want an appliance that's so delicate that it won't hold up to three weeks of renters.

I'm going to ask the appliance store if they'll replace it with another brand. My guess is that they won't do it, but if they do, any suggestions? All I need is a renter-proof one with a stainless steel door that runs quietly and doesn't cost a boatload of money.

In the meantime, should I charge the renters for the service call? They had to have been pretty rough on the dishwasher to bend the metal latch, considering that it is brand new and has no wear on it.

:bang:

Replies

37
Beach Fanatic
#27
We've got the low end Bosch, and I love it! Excellent at getting dishes washed, and extremely quiet as well. (our kitchen opens up to our living room, so we really notice the noise difference) You can probably get around the rinse agent refill problem by leaving the renters a box of 3-in-1 dishwasher tablets that already contain the rinse agent rather than using normal powder. We get good results that way, and I don't think renters would appropriate dishwasher tabs too often.

I'm another one that has the low end Bosch and I love it!!
Outta the box avatar
Beach Lover
#28
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this BR.

I would recommend a low-end Bosch. They are quiet and reliable machines, better than the Kitchenaid. The only thing is the Euro machines like Bosch really do rely on the rinse agent to dry them properly, and you can't depend on your renters or your management company to refill the rinse agent when it needs to be done, even if you keep a big bottle on hand. But if you are able to make it down every couple of months, it shouldn't be a big deal. Otherwise -- Bosch is a great choice. I've had three. (Different houses!) Maytag and Frigidaire are evil. Stay away. I hate our Frigidaire at the beach house.

I would definately agree with the Bosch! We have had one for 6yrs. and moved from our old place and didn't take our appliances, and now have a loud, noisy Dishwasher. grrrr, But, Bosch would be the one for us! They clean well, easy to use, and are very tough! :wub::wub:
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#29
I have a GE, and I like it alot. But I am not an abuser of appliances so can't attest to the strength of it under duress.

I do know that Disney puts all GE appliances in the Disney Vacation Club and those units stayed booked year round, almost daily. Lots of wear and tear.

Edited

waterst1 avatar
Beach Lover
#30
I've seen some pretty good ratings on Maytag. Anyone have any exterience with GE? Or Frigidaire (other than TFT's bad experience)? We had a GE for many years with absolutely no problems, but don't know if they're any good any more.

pmd8, you're right that a knob would be better than an electronic panel. That's what went out on our last one, and even the appliance repairman said the old-school controls last longer. When we call them tomorrow, I'll have to ask if they have anything with a stainless steel front that doesn't have an electronic control panel.

I do hate to spend even more money on a Bosch or hassle with needing special plumbing.

I really wish the KitchenAid wasn't flaky - I'd prefer everything matching since they're virtually side by side. Oh, well.

Thanks again for all of your input.

BR I have GE in 6 of my houses and they have been good, except the electronic panel on the one in the house I live in has burned out before and it was expensive to replace. No problems with the door or hinges though.
picky
#31
Haha..had me reading a 2 year old post on dishwashers.


Yeah, by now BR has probably gone through another bunch of dishwashers. :lol:
SoWal Insider
#32
Yeah, by now BR has probably gone through another bunch of dishwashers. :lol:
:lol::lol:
TooFarTampa avatar
SoWal Insider
#33
I used to know a lot about dishwashers. :blink: So sad ... I can't remember anything anymore. :bang: My name is TFT and I am no longer smarter than a 5th grader.

Edited

Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#34
Yeah, by now BR has probably gone through another bunch of dishwashers. :lol:
So far, so good. Knock on wood. But this week is the first set of renters since September. We did have to replace the front panel on the refrigerator last summer because someone apparently shoved a cooler up to the ice dispenser and broke the lever for the ice dispenser as well as the water dispenser. ARGH!
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#35
sounds like you need to lock all of the nice appliances in the owner's closet.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hoodAuthor
#36
sounds like you need to lock all of the nice appliances in the owner's closet.
LOL. Hey, why do you think we have it prewired/plumbed for a Vent-a-Hood and a Wolf gas cooktop but never installed them after the lessons we've learned?
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#37
Here is a picture of the cheapest stainless steel dishwasher you can purchase.
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:biggrin:
swantree avatar
Beach Fanatic
#38
We have been running alot of GE's in most of my rentals....for some reason? they seem to hold up pretty good.. IMO about the charge...If your rental co. saw it right away then you have every right to hold the deposit...I know with our program we tell the renters to contact us immediatly if they find a problem or see one..that way they are not subject to a charge. if we find it we will go after them. Hope it didn't take long to replace it..I know how that can go.

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