Hard to believe that I could be so blindsided, especially by COSTCO, everyone’s favourite warehouse. People all over Canada have made an exception to the “buy Canada” rule, just so they can continue to stop by at COSTCO and pick up a BBQ chicken or an outdoor shed. But not any longer – not in this house!

Our old dishwasher is the cause. It stopped working last Monday after dinner. Of course, it was full of dirty dishes, so we had to find our dish drying rack and clean up the mess, in our pyjamas. It was a late night. The next morning was full of stress too, with questions such as: how to eat cereal off a paper plate, or whether we should make a mad dash to Timmy’s for or morning coffee. Our old dishwasher was our lifeline, our friend.

We hesitated about what to do next. The dishwasher was a gem, but a 14-year-old gem, ad we all know what happens to parts as they get older, don’t we? We had already had the drainage pump replaced, and this time it seemed like an electrical problem. So we tried our luck with a repairman and he confirmed our worst fears: “Don’t spend any more money on this one. Buy a new one instead. COSTCO has the best prices and they might even install it for you.” I checked on the COSTCO website and found a dishwasher on sale for under $600. Then I posed this question on the screen: Why buy a dishwasher at COSTCO? Here is the answer I received:

Can you see why I didn’t quite read down to see the small print about how installation is included except for gas appliances and dishwashers? Anyway the delivery man was very speedy. He dropped the box in the centre of the kitchen and had me sign a paper saying that I had received delivery. Then he headed for the door, as I called out “How about the installation?” “Oh that’s not my department” he said. “You have to call somebody else for that. The phone number is on your order confirmation.”

He sped away as I frantically searched for the phone number. Of course there was no phone number. I had to search through the COSTCO website to find the Customer Service Number. After 10 minutes of arguing with the clerk, I asked to speak to his supervisor. I argued, I begged, I pleaded. I even blurted out our advanced age! Finally the supervisor offered me a $100 gift card as a “good will gesture” if I kept the machine and called Home Depot for installation. She said it was Easy Peasy. But when I called Home Depot the clerk almost laughed out loud. “What? You want us to install a machine that you didn’t buy here? HA!” Even the supervisor had scammed me.

Dear readers, I admit that I was almost in tears. Meanwhile the boxed dishwasher sat in the middle of the kitchen, blocking the stove. In desperation I texted 2 neighbours, asking if we could come for dinner. No, I’m kidding. I asked them for the name of a reliable plumber who would not be into scamming customers. Finally I called the Appliance Pros and got an appointment for this morning.

So, if there is no blog post next Tuesday, you know where I’ll be – at the kitchen sink washing dishes.

And PS I still have not received the $100 “good will gesture” from COSTCO.

Sue