My Samsung Dishwasher Stopped Working. Can I Get a Refund?, By

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My Samsung Dishwasher Stopped Working. Can I Get a Refund?

By Christopher Elliott

Jason Blanke’s Samsung dishwasher stops working after less than three years. And Samsung can’t seem to repair it. Can he get an exchange or a refund?

•••

My Samsung dishwasher, which is less than three years old, recently started to leak and would not operate.

I called Samsung, and although the dishwasher is out of warranty, they agreed to cover any parts needed so long as I pay for the $200 service call. I agreed.

A Samsung technician came to my home and replaced a part. However, after a couple of weeks, the dishwasher stopped working again.

A technician returned, inspected the appliance, and told me the dishwasher needed “a few additional parts.” He said he would come back to install them.

But nobody came. When I called the service company handling the installation, a representative said Samsung had canceled the service call. Samsung said they could not get the parts.

I then asked to be transferred to the department handling exchanges. A representative told me Samsung couldn’t exchange the dishwasher because it was out of warranty.

I am demanding Samsung give me a refund or exchange. I agreed to pay for the service call because they agreed to cover the parts. Otherwise, I would have just bought a new dishwasher. Can you help me? — Jason Blanke, Parsippany, N.J.

Your dishwasher shouldn’t have broken down after just three years. The average dishwasher lasts about a decade, with some minor repairs needed after five years. Even though your Samsung appliance was out of warranty, the company should have found a way to get you a working dishwasher quickly. When you notified Samsung that the dishwasher broke again, it should have kept you posted on the parts instead of canceling your service visit without telling you.

Technically, Samsung is right. Your dishwasher is out of warranty, and the company owes you nothing. It repaired your dishwasher as agreed and had it working, and then the appliance broke again. Samsung has no liability.

But you don’t have to be a consumer advocate to look at this situation and know that it’s wrong. The dishwasher should have lasted longer than three years. The repair you paid for should have given you another eight years of life on the appliance — not a few weeks. Who cares what the warranty says?

A brief, polite email to one of the Samsung executives I list on my consumer advocacy site at https://www.elliott.org/ company-contacts/samsung might have convinced the company to help. I also publish a few exclusive strategies on how to fix a consumer problem at https://www. elliott.org/answers/how-to-fix-your-ownconsumer-problem/ that might be helpful. I contacted Samsung on your behalf. A representative reached out to you and agreed to refund the $700 you paid for your ailing dishwasher. n •••

Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at http://www. elliott.org/help • © 2022 Christopher Elliott.

Winter Fun

ACROSS

1. Make change 6. Used in combination to denote the middle 9. *Ammo material 13. Star____ 14. The “place with the helpful hardware folks” 15. Neutral shade 16. Orderly arrangement 17. Romanian monetary unit 18. Button on electrical outlet 19. *Frosty’s nose 21. *Gingerbread Man, e.g. 23. Drench 24. What a willow did? 25. Famous song by The

Jackson 5 28. Cone-shaped quarters 30. *Snow mover 35. A bit of water 37. Pakistani language 39. Measured in knots 40. Tatted fabric 41. *”A Visit from St.

Nicholas” poet 43. Tropical edible root 44. Paintings in Orthodox church 46. Not swim or swum 47. Frozen puddle accident 48. Small skullcap 50. Dresden’s river 52. Captain’s turf 53. Drop of sorrow 55. “Slippery” tree 57. *Frozen spike 60. *Three-horse sleigh ride 63. Words to live by 64. Caviar alternative 66. On D’Artagnan’s hat 68. Group of wives 69. Boiling emotion 70. Furnish with a fund 71. Travelers’ stops 72. Poetic “even” 73. Buy second-hand

DOWN

1. Agha, alt. sp. 2. Artist Chagall’s first name 3. Poet Pound’s first name 4. Draws close 5. Fungus damage (2 words) 6. Shake’s cousin? 7. *____ fishing 8. Two, in cards 9. Station finder button 10. Not final 11. Curved molding 12. Kind of nurse 15. Bouillons 20. Laudanum ingredient 22. Saturn’s wife 24. As opposed to widow 25. Impromptu 26. Emergency pedal 27. *Hot treat 29. Major-leaguers 31. Prefers 32. Butcher shop offering, pl. 33. Ghostlike 34. Parkinson’s drug 36. Philadelphia’s Ivy

League member 38. Russian mountain chain 42. *Fireplace glob 45. TV offering 49. Reef fish 51. Kind of bride 54. Eagle’s home 56. Hundred Acre Wood creator 57. A Flock of Seagulls’ 1982 hit (2 words) 58. European Council for

Nuclear Research, acr. 59. Bad day for Caesar 60. Not quite an adult 61. Spiral-horned African antelope 62. Singer-songwriter Tori 63. Tai’s partner 65. Miner’s bounty 67. Female sheep

In sacred liturgy, the days of December 26 — January 8th are referred to as the 12 Days Of/After Christmas — a time in which we walk with the Three Astrologer Magi Kings carrying gifts to the holy child (the Soul within each of us).

Each of the days also represents one of the upcoming astrological signs — from Aries to Pisces — their characteristics, talents, gifts, abilities and tasks to develop. Each day we contemplate upon a sign. As we do so, the signs begin to communicate with us.

The “bird chirps of what’s to

come ... the twelve signs become the future in each of us.”

From beginning to end, from the Alpha to the Omega, in the silence of winter, in the quietness of the Earth, the signs tell us new life and new livingness is to come.

Each sign also signifies a different light. Like the new light of Winter Solstice. So, we consider Aries, the Light of beginnings. Taurus, the Light of Illumination. Gemini, the Light of Duality. Cancer, the Light of life hidden in the womb of matter. Leo, the Light of our Creative Self. Virgo, the Hidden Light. And Libra, the Light of “I & Thou” (relationships). During these twelve days and into the new year, we stand with five words … recreation, regeneration, reorientation, renunciation

and recapitulation.

Each year, we begin anew. And the rod of justice rules. The Ark reaches the shore. The past reaches the future in each of us. And, direction, sign by sign, is given.

ARIES A new phase of reality begins. Great aspirations push you forward into dedication and hard work. Your self-identity, sense of family and home, intimate relationships and professional career will change and expand. Work with others cooperatively. All that you aspire to do will come forth only if cooperation is foremost. Tend carefully to moods. Use them imaginatively to create all things new.

LEO The New Year is golden for you in terms of work, confidence and growth, both subtle and steady. You want will to make changes concerning health and healing. Become a member of a spa, begin an exercise and diet regime with yoga, tai chi, biking, swimming, etc. Continued focus on health is most important. You will seek the Diamond Light. Compassion and altruism become your newest psychological orientations.

SAGITTARIUS You will feel quite dynamic as the New Year unfolds. There will be a fire within burning brighter and fuller. You may need to control that fire a bit lest conflicts with others are created. Use that inner fire for creativity, achieving greater goals, greater focus and direction. You will rise in stature through new ways of thinking. This has already begun. You’re more positive, bright like the Sun eliminating obstacles and hurdles. Do not compete. Share instead.

TAURUS Your religion and spirituality, your mind (thinking, study, ideas), daily life, health, teaching and travel are all divinely influenced. Life will seem to be rather dreamy. You might not like this much as it feels impractical. However, it’s a time of rest and healing. Dreams help manifest long-held visions. Be in the Sun as much as possible. Write down plans and ideas. A new phase of life begins. Try not to be too distant with those you love.

GEMINI We work in between incarnations. Each lifetime we attempt to discover our place in the Sun. When we die, it’s our last thought that determines where we go. In this lifetime, we are to train our minds in all ways. Planning and strategy are important in the coming year. We can also plan consciously for when we die. You are not dying at this time. This is only an exercise of preparation. Begin training your mind on what you will think about at the time of death.

VIRGO Allow constancy of effort into your life, not turning back when difficulties arise. Stand at the middle point. You may feel your life is not moving forward. However, many things are occurring within. New realities, resources, and things social rise to the surface offering satisfaction and intimacy. Tend to partners and those who love you with care and nourishment. Let your mind be at ease.

LIBRA You will work very hard this coming year. When in doubt call upon your angels to flood your life with light, information and assistance. It will happen immediately. You felt challenged this past year. The upcoming year offers greater progress and power. Avoid controversial decisions. Allow time for Right Decisions leading to Right Action. Don’t show dissatisfaction in relationships. Love is not a feeling. It’s a willingness to love more.

CAPRICORN Saturn is your ruler, the planet helping you in all endeavors, especially climbing the mountain, which means ladder of success. Success in whatever way you see success for yourself. Saturn helps you choose good shoes, too. I wish you a happy birthday for your new year. Remember to speak with your angels. They stand by waiting for instructions. They are to help you with all that you need and want in the coming year. Make your list. Check it twice, three times.

AQUARIUS The New Year focuses upon relationships, love, friendship and romance. Avoid any major changes at the first half of the year. Instead focus on building a firmer foundation of security and creativity. New realities can emerge the last half of the year. Travel when you can. It brings you pleasure, excitement, friendships and relaxation. Have pride in your accomplishments, in yourself, and the important social role you play in the world.

SCORPIO PISCES

CANCER The New Year brings great promise of happiness. You won’t feel distracted. Your mind will be clear, harmonious and challenged to move toward what you’ve always wanted. You will be creative. When there are differences you will step aside (like the crab you are) circumventing disharmony. See each day as an opportunity to do your very best. Begin your spring garden early. Create a medicinal garden and a flower garden. You will look back on the past year and see that it was good. There was (and will be) exceptional growth, support, gains and progress with creativity rewarded. You might be too impulsive, leading to expectations that are unreasonable to others. Provide affection and attention to everyone, especially friends and loved ones. You will be busy socially for a while. Then your temperament becomes serious and internal. Spending time alone is part of your destiny. Rest more in the coming year. Focus, stamina and vitality return gradually. Remain conscious of fluctuating finances. You want Right Use of money and resources. Past friends and lovers continue to occupy your mind. Send them on their way with love and blessings. Or invite them along the Path. Not many will be able to absorb the fiery field of the Path. You will be called to leadership. Step into this with confidence. The many years of the past struggles have prepared you. “Hart” from page 24

It feels like an institution that is very much rooted in and serving its local community. I find that very inspiring and energizing.

How will you decide which shows to stage?

Season selection is always a process of trying to thread the needle on many different needs and desires. I believe in a collaborative process that involves as many stakeholders in the conversation as possible.

We reached out to the community with a survey that presented genres to gauge audience interest, we’ve reached out to the artistic community to see what is exciting to collaborators, we look at what is being produced in surrounding communities to gauge what niche hasn’t been filled, and then a group of us gets in a room and has a spirited discussion.

In the end, you want to get to a place where the community can trust that even if they don’t know the show or feel they don’t like the show, they are excited to see what Cabrillo Stage will do and that will keep them coming back.

Where do you live? What’s your impression of the

Santa Cruz County housing market — for homebuyers & renters?

Ilive in the Westside of Santa Cruz. We moved here because my partner, Ross, got an exciting job at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. His entire family lives here, though, so it’s a place we’ve often come back to in our years away.

Let’s just say we moved here in July and we didn’t move into our rental until October. We were lucky enough to have wonderful family to stay with until we could find a rental we could afford. (Buying was never an option.)

When I left Berkeley (after 20 years and an incredibly sweet rental deal) I never thought I’d come back to the Bay Area because as a theatre artist I’d never be able to afford it.

There were some desperate feeling moments between July and September, but in the end we got very lucky with a sweet landlord. And an opportunity to get rid of a lot of stuff! In all seriousness, I love our neighborhood and feel incredibly lucky to walk my dog to the beach on any given day.

I do think the cost of living directly impacts the type of arts that a community can sustain. So many of us consider our work a labor of love, but I know I’ve tried to make love pay the rent many times and it never works out.

I feel very fortunate that we stumbled on the place we got and I hope that as the conversation continues in this area, solutions to the lack of affordable housing will continue to move forward. n