By Heather O.
This is a guest post by Julie
My dryer was having issues. It was taking 2 cycles on high to get anything dry, which worked out to be about 3 hours. Way too much of a hassle. So, I called and made an appointment to have somebody from a to-not-be-named retailer, but a well-known store that has a fairly good reputation, come by and check my dryer. The repair guy comes, charges me $65, and tells me I have a three-fold problem:
#1. Lint. Apparently, lint is not just in the back near the hose, but seeps down into all the crevices and can only be retrieved by removing all these magical panels.
#2. Metal tube thing length. There is a hose that goes from the back of the dryer and connects to the metal tube thing that flows to the back of the house where all that lovely hot air is pushed. The metal tube thing extends too far (it’s supposed to be a max of like 28 feet).
#3. My loads are too big.
Then after telling me all this, charging me $65 for not actually doing anything, he says, “You should really turn off the TV and read to your kids.”
I was so shocked that I didn’t know what to say. Seriously? How was I to know that the dryer guy was the SuperNanny of repairmen? I can’t quite figure it out. I am still pretty peeved about the whole thing and it happened over 2 weeks ago. Am I mad because he made a judgment about me? Is it hurtful because he was a stranger and now that I can think of 20 different witty comebacks, I can’t tell him a single one? I know there is little truth to his comments since I read to my kids a lot and the TV was on to distract them from the guy with all the cool toys on his belt. But I can’t seem to let it go. How should you respond to people who make negative comments about your parenting?
Unfortunately, I have no answers. One time I was in an airport, watching my friends’ 3 children and my 3 children. This lady told me I was a terrible mother and didn’t take care of my kids because my son tripped and I didn’t help him up. (Never mind that I was keeping the other 5 kids safe and nearby me in a busy airport.) It still irritates me to this day and that happened 4 1/2 years ago!
Comment #1 by TiffanyFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:29 amWoah. That is SO WRONG! That would really tick me off too. I think you should write a letter to the guy, but don’t send it. Burn it. Or better yet, wash it and dry it with a load of really stinky laundry. That might help to give you closure. I hope. I hate that feeling of not being able to say anything back to someone who totally mis-judges me. Hope you feel better soon.
Comment #2 by mellocelloFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:35 amWow, how rude!
First, I’d call and complain to the company. That really should not be happening.
Second, Has your dryer worked just fine in the past, and this is a recent problem? My mom’s dryer used to work fine, and then had some similar symptoms. The repairman who came out didn’t believe her and told her it could be a number of little things, but she pushed him to check EVERYTHING and he finally figured out the heating element in the dryer was broken.
I would insist on having the company send out a different repairman for free to check it out…
Comment #3 by janeFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:44 amWeird. Weird. Of course the TV was on while the repair guy was there. I mean, hi. What, you’re going to read to them while he’s talking to you about your dryer?
Comment #4 by The WizFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:53 amI make a crack right back at them…
“Oh, it’s on because they don’t notice my drinking as much that way.”
I mean honestly, say a smart remark and get a smart one right back.
Comment #5 by AzúcarFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:53 amI would of told him that you had the TV on so that the kids were entertained while you watched him to make sure he didn’t rob you blind.
It really could be the lint. Go to the hardware store and get those dryer vent cleaner things (sorry can’t remember the actual name). It this long flexible rod thing with these pokey things at the top that will grab the lint. Then shove it up your dryer vent. I was an apartment manager and it was nearly always the dryer vent, not the dryer.
Comment #6 by SarahFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:54 amIn church on Sunday, while I was holding my grumpy baby out in the hall near the end of Sacrament Meeting, a man walked up to me and said, “You’re not old enough to have a child.” He then paused and added, “Is it yours?” I know I look more like I’m 18 than 26, especially with my hair pulled back and my contacts in, but still, the tone in which he said it was not precisely anything close to complimentary.
I’ve been annoyed about it ever since Sunday.
I think calling the company and complaining sounds like a good source of action. His comment to you was totally inappropriate.
Comment #7 by kaduseyFebruary 18th, 2009 at 9:58 amCall the company and let them know. That’s just so wrong.
Comment #8 by Tracy MFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:00 ama Simple “Maybe you should mind your own business and do your job.” and also, “I need your supervisor’s number, please.”
Comment #9 by AlissaFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:04 amhey–that is a fire hazard! If the lint backs up your dryer could catch fire and burn down your house. Google it, seriously. Its scary.
Also, I probably would have made some fired up retort about how I prefer to speak to my repairmen without interruption, but thanks for the tip because maybe if I read to them enough, they’ll grow up to get blue-collar jobs like him.
You probably reacted a lot better than I would have!
Comment #10 by AmyFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:08 amPersonally, I think you should blog about it. ;o) Just get it out here. Blog to us your witty, biting, snarky come-backs. Then you’ll be done with it.
However, I would call Se*rs to complain that the repairman didn’t fix the problem. What’s the point of having him come out and not fix the dryer??
Comment #11 by StrollerbladerFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:10 amThat is SO out of line. I would call the company and complain. He was there to fix your dryer, which he didn’t, and not give you parenting tips! This didn’t even happen to me and I’m mad just hearing about it!
Comment #12 by Lady of Perpetual ChaosFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:20 amThat is so completely wrong. Even if your kids watched TV all day every day, its none of his business. You should have told him that he should really stop watching your kids and get back to fixing your dryer.
Comment #13 by KimFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:47 amTwo things–
He’s a man. Period.
And he probably doesn’t have kids.
Only people who have no clue could say such a thoughtless thing. I’d still be mad. Hey–I’m mad for you.
Comment #14 by Cafe JohnsoniaFebruary 18th, 2009 at 10:48 amWhen people comment on my parenting, I usually just sort of mumble something unintelligible and move away. I feel embarrassed, and weird, like maybe they’re right that my baby will freeze to death without a hat on the walk from the car to the front door of the grocery store. But I’m not very confrontational with strangers (unless I’m in a wicked bad mood), so I usually think of things to say later. And then blog about it
Comment #15 by Heather O.February 18th, 2009 at 11:06 amNot sure if I have an retort to your repairman…but I just replaced my dryer after having similar issues…now I finish a load in 30-40 min — whereas before it was taking me nearly 1.5hrs!!! My new dryer ROCKS!
Comment #16 by Melissa McFebruary 18th, 2009 at 11:07 amWhat a moron. Maybe he thinks that if his mother read to him more, he wouldn’t have a blue collar job?
That’s the best I can do at redeeming the schmuck.
Comment #17 by AnnetteFebruary 18th, 2009 at 11:28 amI think you should have looked shocked and said, “You know what? You are SO RIGHT! THANK YOU!”
If your dryer is under warranty still, call and complain. If not, look for a licensed handyman. Ask around for a good one that doesn’t work for a brand. They’ll actually try to fix it rather than just tell you you need a new one.
My husband has resurrected my oooooold dryer repeatedly. Yes, the lint in the hose is the first place to look, then see if the vent to the outside is plugged. My husband then looks for burned wires that go to the heating element. It hasn’t been the heating element yet.
Good luck! Hope you don’t see the same schmuck, er, repairman, again.
Comment #18 by mormonhermitmomFebruary 18th, 2009 at 11:39 amI’d call and complain to his manager. His job is to come and fix appliances, not give out unsolicited parenting advice. Or even solicited parenting advice for that matter. Or even really notice the kids in the kids in the house. I would imagine his boss would want to know that. If poeple are uncomfortable with the repair poeple sent it will hurt their business.
Comment #19 by AubreyFebruary 18th, 2009 at 12:07 pmI’m annoyed for you. I have nothing else to say. Except that I hope his wife gets accidentally pregnant and his eyes are opened/reopened to the realities of small children.
Comment #20 by Steph @ Diapers and DivinityFebruary 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pmI am annoyed and it didn’t even happen to me. I hate it when people think they know what kind of parent you are just by seeing you/your kids for 5 minutes. I would not have had a witty retort either but I would let it eat at me for weeks on end and think of it frequently. Why do we do that?!? As for the dryer - I would say get a second opinion. The last thing you need is wet clothes and a burned down house!!!
Comment #21 by BanksFebruary 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pmI would have told him that I would love to read my children books, but we can’t afford to buy them because we have a huge electricity bill due to drying loads twice and paying for pointless repairman visits.
Okay, no I wouldn’t have because it took me until after reading all the comments to come up with that. I think of all the good comebacks way too late to do anything about it. Instead, I come home and whine to my husband and friends and the internet.
Comment #22 by Erin MarieFebruary 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pmAgree with thine adversary quickly: “You know- I really should. Oh well. Bye bye now.”
Comment #23 by wbprawFebruary 18th, 2009 at 3:54 pmMy bro\sis-in-law had a giant wad of lint in their hose when they first moved in. Seriously…a garbage bag full. Clearing it fixed their dryer issues. The hose is really long and the hose had never been cleaned out in 10 years. It was a chore, but they were able to do it without paying a repair man.
I vote for calling and complaining to his supervisor too.
Comment #24 by LisaCFebruary 18th, 2009 at 4:45 pmWhoa! That’s not even something someone’s mom can say!!!
Wow, sorry you got such a dud!
Comment #25 by MaddisonFebruary 18th, 2009 at 6:14 pmWhen he said that you should of said, I normally tip repairmen unless they give me stupid advice about my kids.
he he
Comment #26 by SarahFebruary 18th, 2009 at 6:19 pmIf your laundry is getting hot, but not drying, it’s almost certainly a lint/venting issue, which you can probably clean out yourself with a little time and effort. If the dryer is not heating up, then it’s more likely a heating element. Which you can probably replace yourself if you’re at all handy. Dryers are really quite simple to work on.
I agree you should complain to the store/supervisor about the inappropriate comments though…
Comment #27 by FionaFebruary 18th, 2009 at 6:22 pmWell my immediate comment would have been “Wow, what made you think you need to say that to me?” and after reading everyone’s comments my new and improved snarked up version is: “Wow, it must suck to have lost your psychiatrist’s license. Are you only qualified to do dryer repairs now or do you clean toilets, too?”
Comment #28 by SallyGirlFebruary 18th, 2009 at 6:52 pmYou really should call his supervisor, that was a totally inappropriate remark. I once had a scripture video (you all know what company) come and try to sell me their overpriced videos. I told him that with baby #2 on the way and DH in school, we just couldn’t afford it. He replied that we must not want our children to learn the gospel if we were unwilling to buy his product. I told him he had 2 minutes to pack up his stuff or else. Don’t mess with a grumpy, pregnant mommy.
Comment #29 by CDFebruary 18th, 2009 at 7:19 pmDefinitely call the company and let his super know what he said…that’s ridiculous and not in any way appropriate.
Comment #30 by MiggyFebruary 18th, 2009 at 8:28 pmThey should make TV shows of people reading stories for kids. Because I sure never did it much.
I was recently called a liar and hung up on by a customer service rep’s *supervisor*, and I’m not shy about naming names: it was Sprint.
Comment #31 by Susan MFebruary 18th, 2009 at 8:42 pmSusan
Sprint is losing customers in droves because there customer service stinks. That and there commercials are way not funny.
From someone whose husband “used” to work for them *sigh*
Comment #32 by SarahFebruary 18th, 2009 at 8:47 pmMy mom would say it. You guys have mom’s with healthy boundaries?
Comment #33 by Tracy MFebruary 19th, 2009 at 12:33 amI’m going to be the bad guy here, and say you are really over reacting. I’ll give the same advice I give to my fourth graders and my kids — is it true? If not, ignore it! So WHAT? If it is true, and your kids are watching tv all the time, then say, “oh yeah. I know. I need to read to them more.” Bottom line is, it was a thoughtless remark made by somebody who was trying to be “helpful.” This guy does not need a call to his supervisor and maybe lose his job over it.
Full disclosure - my kids watch as much TV as they want, and they both are reading 2+ grade levels above their peers.
Ignore this incident, eat a brownie, and get over it.
Comment #34 by meemsFebruary 19th, 2009 at 3:44 amSorry that sounded so mean! I didn’t mean it to sound mean. I meant it to sound like a friendly “get over it.”
Comment #35 by meemsFebruary 19th, 2009 at 3:45 amI once had a pest control guy tell me that if I held my newborn too much, he would get spoiled…WHATEVER! Just get rid of the cockroaches!
Comment #36 by Andrea R.February 19th, 2009 at 6:52 amDoes he HAVE kids? Does he understand that a BOOK is not going to keep the kids from investigating the Wonder That Is Dryer Repair?!
Seriously. He should have been THANKING you!
And how did the lint in your dryer tell him you don’t read to your kids? That’s some pretty spiffy lint!
Comment #37 by Aunt LoLoFebruary 19th, 2009 at 7:51 amI can never think of good comebacks in a timely manner. Probably because the ones I do eventually think of are exceedingly nasty and not representative of who I would like to be.
There was this one time though that I was spot on, and reveled in it. I was standing in the very loooong customer service line at Kmart shortly after we adopted my son. He has a lovely Latin American toned complexion and beautiful dark eyes. I am as white as they come and blonde. A women ahead of me commented on his complexion and said with a smirk that “his dad must be very dark”. I looked her in the eye and said straight faced that I wasn’t really sure about the dad… and let it hang there. Of course all sorts of lascivious thoughts ran through the gutter of her mind and she was shocked into silence. Hah, take that, thinks the mother polar bear defending her beautiful grizzly cub.
Also, check that the lint screen is clean. Some dryer treatments will clog the screen even if you remove the fuzzies each time. Take it out and see if water goes through it or stands on top. If it is standing it is a serious fire hazard as well.
Comment #38 by JCFebruary 19th, 2009 at 9:12 amJC - Love that!
I have a friend who’s Puerto Rican, married a redhead, and they have 2 blond haired, blue-eyed kids. People think she’s their nanny. Stupid people say stupid things.
Comment #39 by wbprawFebruary 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pmSo…you paid him…and he didn’t even remove the lint? And then was mouthy? Doesn’t he know that checks can be canceled and credit card charges can be disputed? What a dud.
Comment #40 by JamiFebruary 19th, 2009 at 1:31 pmThat is what I was thinking. Why wasn’t he busy removing the lint? What a turd…which is my new favorite word. I love the drinking comeback, classic. I am also a bad comeback person.
As for the lint…our dryer kept shutting off and was cool air because it has some mechanism that shut the heating element off but kept the clothes going. So just cold air hit them. We bought the kit at Bed, Bath and Beyond and it has helped a lot. You have to get a brush thing (think chimney sweep) and ream it through the hose as well as the openings. Then use the small brush for the lint trap. Also, wash the lint trap. I need to disassemble the back and vacuum it out. We have not done that yet, but will do it in the spring.
Comment #41 by KatieFebruary 19th, 2009 at 2:08 pmSpeaking of people making insensitive parenting remarks, why is it that total strangers feel that they can ask you if you are done having children? Or worse, tell you that you should be? I have decided that my answer in the future is going to be something about what a personal question that is and how it’s none of their business. (We have 4, FYI.)
Comment #42 by fletchmbFebruary 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pmMB
I once had a waiter, who was obviously annoyed at my crying baby (we were the only ones in this dying diner trying to support the local business!), repeatedly tell me that perhaps the baby needs my milk! If he hadn’t of been the one making and serving our food, (it was that small a place), I would have told him where to go, but I was afraid of, um, “retribution” in our food. I mean, after awhile he was practically ordering me to nurse my baby!
We never went back.
And I must say that while I agree with meems about if it’s not true, don’t worry about it, this man was being paid to perform a service. A service that did not include parenting advice. His supervisors do need to know about his inappropriate comment. This was not some social idiot in the grocery store. MAKE THE CALL!
Comment #43 by The Mrs.February 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pmOkay, so I know that this is late (it was buried in my RSS feed), but I kept thinking about this.
Comment #44 by StarfoxyFebruary 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pmThis guy goes to a lot of houses, but only spends about 30 minutes in any of them. I’d bet every time he goes to a house that has kids those kids are watching the TV (AKA electric nanny). He’s not thinking about the fact that his presence in that home is unusual, because he does it every day. So he thinks that kids all over are wasting away in front of the TV because that’s all he ever sees, and hasn’t given it the two seconds worth of thought it would take for him to see just how faulty his logic is.
I agree with the other’s who have said that his supervisor should be called.