Kohler Whitehaven with a hairline crack - buy fast, or steer clear?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I am in the midst of a full kitchen reno. I am, by nature, a cheapskate (love ding and dent appliances!), but also believe in buying things that are high quality and durable. Ie., if I liked lower-quality products, I could afford new. If I don't buy a slightly-busted $1K sink, I will not get a $1K sink, is basically the deal.

Someone is selling this unused, still-in-packaging Kohler Whitehaven 32" for $250, which is 75% off retail. I am sure they made a warranty claim and got a replacement, and now they just have that one to get off their hands. It has two parallel scratches on the front right hand side, one that looks deep. I am trying to decide whether it's the deal of a lifetime, or a disaster waiting to happen.

I am not afraid, at all, of having to do repairs. My husband and I are pretty handy in general. I am, however, afraid of buying a liability, as in a sink that will have an expanding network of cracks. FYI - we will not have a disposal, so no extreme vibration, and this is on the corner away from where our DW will be installed.

So, I'm curious - What's the worst that can happen, and what's most likely? And if you do think it's ok to buy, how would you suggest repairing?

Thanks, everyone!

Featured Answer

sayboone

2 years ago

I'd buy it, but only if I could afford to replace it at full price in a couple of years if the crack creates issues.

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Comments (8)

julieste
2 years ago
We have a different model of Kohler sink (the Epicurean which is now discontinued). This is a very odd size opening but we really liked the sink. Seven years ago when we went to redo our countertops I couldn't find a replacement sink. But, I did find one that had been in storage and never opened. I bought it sight unseen off of Craigslist and had it shipped. When we opened it, there were a couple cracks similar to the ones you see.

I contacted Kohler, but there was no warranty since it hadn't been purchased from an authorized Kohler dealer. We went ahead and installed it anyway. Nothing else has happened to our sink, and it looks the same and functions perfectly well.

That's my anecdote. Good luck; I too am a bargain hunter.
Chayah Lichtig thanked julieste
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ci_lantro
2 years ago
I think it is priced too high. You can buy a nice, unblemished SS sink for $250.

If the price was $50, then I might take a chance on it. If it is a topmount sink. Replacing an undermounted cast iron sink would be no fun. And could be dangerous.

I just replaced a topmount Kohler 60/40 sink. 130 pounds. 130#s that had to be lifted out of a hole. Had to use a 2 wheel appliance cart to get it out of the house. Then DH used his engine hoist to get it into the trailer to haul to the scrap yard.
Chayah Lichtig thanked ci_lantro
Chayah Lichtig
Original Author
2 years ago
@ci_lantro - You are absolutely right that good stainless steel can be had for much less, but not apron front cast iron, which is what a whitehaven is.
ci_lantro
2 years ago
Yes, I know what the Whitehaven is.

I still say that sink is overpriced at $250. That's a rather significant flaw. And there is a very narrow market for an apron front sink. And even less of one for a damaged sink. Almost has to be someone who is doing a big remodel, not a willy-nilly 'I'd like to have a new sink' buyer. And even fewer potential buyers who are doing a big remodel and who are willing to accept an imperfect new sink

'Kohler Whitehaven' has a certain cachet around these forums. .Not so much in the real world/ average homeowner who only wants new, shiny, pretty & knows squat about brands.

I think it likely, as you said, that the seller got a warranty replacement from Kohler and now they are left with a flawed sink/ 130# disposal problem.
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
It's probably not getting any worse, but there is no repair. Fifty bucks sounds generous.
wilson853
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I bought my Whitehaven on Amazon Warehouse. That sink is on there now in "like new' condition for $568. I'd rather pay more and get one that is unblemished. It is still a significant savings.
MizLizzie
2 years ago
It isn’t apt to get worse, but there is no repair that will last. I love my Whitehaven and find it extremely functional. If this is your only path to a Whitehaven, I think I would do it, and just touch up the scratch as needed. I can not quite tell from the pic, but it looks like the scratches are in a less noticable forward corner?

Kohler Whitehaven with a hairline crack - buy fast, or steer clear?

sayboone

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Kohler Whitehaven with a hairline crack - buy fast, or steer clear?

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