KANSAS CITY, Mo. - From eight-track to iPods, technology has certainly changed over the years. People tend to be loyal to their favorite brand, but that loyalty could cost you if you don't ask questions.
For well over 30 years, Barbara Stevens had such good luck with her dishwasher, she stuck with the
KitchenAid brand when she bought a new one.
She says she's had problems since it was installed. She didn't like that it took two and a half hours to finish just one load of dishes.
Whirlpool makes KitchenAid products and says it's normal for newer machines to take a long time to clean due to sensors inside the dishwasher.
Stevens also had problems with water not draining from the dishwasher.
Stevens called for action after four service calls.
"It was one of the top of the line and it was very pricey. And if its not doing its job, no one can afford to keep something that's not doing it," Stevens said.
Whirlpool confirms they did replace certain parts on the dishwasher, but during its last service call it didn't find a problem.
To satisfy its customer, Whirlpool agreed to refund Stevens' money.
Before you buy a product, ask about the new technology that may make a machine operate differently than older models. Before you buy an appliance make sure you are aware of the return policy. There may be a restocking fee, and usually there is a window where you can return it.
"I kept giving people the benefit of the doubt and trying to do something. I've learned my lesson. You don't give people that much time. You jump in there and get the problem resumed before they go on," Stevens said.
