Forgot to add: This time, similar to the others, the system just isn't cooling. I checked temps at the vents and returns. On average the temps at the vents are the same to a couple of degrees higher than the return. The pump on the outside sounds like it wants to start but never does. I assume there is a leak again and the pump is being protected since the refrigerant level is low...or there is none left.

We all look at prices, discounts, free delivery and haul away (really free or mail-in rebate too), payment options, etc., but be sure to compare the service plan as part of your purchasing decision if you plan on getting one. Because of my recent experience with the Calypso as well as all the electronics on the new machines we are looking at, we figured we should get something. I know the question about getting one comes up from time to time, so I thought I'd post oue experience. Here's what we've seen: Sears had a sale that offered a lower price on the machine we were looking at, and because the sign on the color floor model was displaying the white price and the salesman told us that was the price for color, we also got credited the difference and didn't have to pay for the color (they are less this weekend, so it's about the same deal anyway). We thought we had a pretty sweet deal, and Sears gives you 90 days to return if you are not happy. I nearly fell over when he said the service plan on the pair was $658. It does cover an annual check up, but that price easily pays for 4 calls (5 yrs minus the first year to get there) without parts or problems. Didn't get to read the fine print, but I have seen other policies where they annual checks are also required to keep the contract inforce, so they could be a trap if you aren't aware or forget (is the Sears plan is like that it could be the most expensive and least likely to cover your repairs). Their no lemon policy requires 4 repairs in a 12 month period, and you would have A&E service. I had good luck with one call and a nightmare with another -- which one would you get next time? I remembered the night before our scheduled delivery that we bought the Whirlpool version of the Calypso from Best Buy instead of the Kenmore because the prices for the machine were the same but the service plan at Best Buy was less. I looked it up and found that if Best Buy didn't price match, we would get about the same deal, but if they did price match and we got their service plan, we would save about $400. DH said keep it -- they would probably compare bottom line and we wanted to get the machine sooner since we'd been without since May. Evening comes and no call from Sears. I call to get my delivery time -- they've moved it to Sunday without contacting me! We cancelled. Best Buy has a 5 year plan for $199 -- saving $459 over Sear's price. Sears was willing to discount the service plan 10% like the washer and dryer, but we still save over $400 with BB. No preventative calls, but less chance of getting hung up on forgetting to make a call for a machine that is working well. It includes surge protection and doesn't use A&E service. Their lemon policy is 4 service calls, but they give you only 30 days to make a return. We got the same delivery date and saved over $400. I didn't get the details at Home Depot (DH didn't want to buy from the sales person there and the prices were higher) or Lowe's (model availability). Whirlpool has a plan you can purchase directly from them -- they send out an offer once your warranty or other service plan expires (what we had on the Calypso). The cost is more than Best Buy's 5 year plan (I think we paid $300-400 and the new offer that came recently would have been around $600), covers up to 3 years and is the most restrictive of all. They require 4 service calls for the same part before they replace the machine, use A&E service (who installed 3 wrong parts on my machine and spent enough doing it that they won't repair my machine now), and if they can't or won't fix your machine, you do not get a replacement. The plan says they will send you a credit towards the purchase of a new Whirlpool product and the credit is tied to a percentage of the replacement value. The older the machine, the more you pay for the contract and the less you will receive. In addition, they don't send you a credit as stated, they send you a letter to send back with your new model and serial number after you go out of pocket and then wait weeks or longer for a check. There are other variances between the terms and conditions and the practices they have in place, but that's another story. Just know what you are getting if you buy a service plan and include that in your bottom line. Make it an educated choice -- at least the best you can based on what they will tell you up front (you often don't see the terms and condition until much later). And if you aren't getting something with a lot of moving parts or a lot of expensive electronic parts, maybe you don't need the headache at all.

I agree with ann, I think some businesses are cutting back in staff and being replaced by people who are inexperienced or don't even care. Also, many complaints just get deleted like people who try to get jobs on line--delete delete delete etc. The owners/managers just don't have/take time to read the emails. Many are way too long and not to the point.

My customer was looking to have 27 replacement vinyl windows installed in a home that was nearly 100 years old. Home depot persuaded him that their low-cost vinyl windows were "good" quality at an affordable price. I've been in the remodeling business for over 30 years and had never even heard of the manufacturer that HD was pushing. Fortunately, the day the customer was to go in and pay for the windows so that the order would be placed, I just happened to be in Lowe's for some grout sealer & walked past the Door & Window department. They were having a 20% off sale on Pella windows. After calculating the prices for the sizes needed (most were 78" tall)I called my customer & told him about the sale. He was able to get windows that were double-hung (vs. HD's single-hung),argon gas filled, double strength glass and frames made of considerably thicker vinyl than those at Home Depot. It took nearly 4 weeks to install all the windows given I work alone and the installation included all the 2nd & 3rd floor windows. Three weeks into the project I unwrapped the plastic on the first window to be installed on the 3rd floor only to find a tiny crack (1/2") in the bottom corner of the inner sash. I called the salesperson I had worked with at Lowe's who informed me that the claim had to go through Pella, not Lowe's. I thought "Oh boy, here we go" expecting all kinds of problems. I couldn't have been more wrong. I got through to Pella's 800 # on the first try and spoke to a real person not a recording. I explained that I had found a crack that I had missed on first inspection. The Pella rep asked me for the serial number on the inside of the sash and after I gave it to her she said "Thank you and we are sorry about the cracked window. We will build a new one and ship it directly to the house, at no charge." After saying "Good-bye" I just stood there looking at the phone for a few seconds then thought "Wow, there are still companies in America who stand by the products they make and believe in customer service after the sale." The new sash arrived in 8 days (2 days sooner than I was told) and the customer is a Pella fan for life. He recently called to tell me he wants Pella windows installed this spring in the building he owns to operate his business. P.S.About the 78" tall windows: the shear weight of a window this tall requires shimming the sides perfectly level not just top and bottom but also at least at one or two places on the side to do the job right. Do this and the windows operate as smooth as silk. Don't do this and you will regret it.