Dan Masters Online » Doh! http://www.danmasters.net Dan Masters Playground Online Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:13:41 +0000 en hourly 1 Encore Pianos in Plano, Texas – Watch Out! http://www.danmasters.net/encore-pianos-in-plano-texas-watch-out.htm http://www.danmasters.net/encore-pianos-in-plano-texas-watch-out.htm#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:31:35 +0000 Dan http://www.danmasters.net/encore-pianos-in-plano-texas-watch-out.htm Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> A friend of mine named Mat Harris has setup a website documenting the trouble that he has had with Encore Pianos in Plano, Texas. His website is here:

beware-encore-pianos.com

From talking with Mat and reading his website he gave them a piano to sell on consignment for him. They sold it, but did not give him the money from the sale – none of it. Also mentioned on his site is the fact that this is not the first time they have done this. Another former customer contacted him saying the same thing happened to them.

It is unfortunate that this has happened especially to a good guy like Mat. If you can, spread the word of his story and definitely don’t buy anything from them as it could be stolen.

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]]> http://www.danmasters.net/encore-pianos-in-plano-texas-watch-out.htm/feed 0 The $70 Piece of Plastic to Fix My Microwave http://www.danmasters.net/the-70-piece-of-plastic-for-my-microwave.htm http://www.danmasters.net/the-70-piece-of-plastic-for-my-microwave.htm#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:04 +0000 Dan http://www.danmasters.net/?p=697 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

Broken Part

After getting home yesterday from being out I was informed that the door on our 18 month old microwave would not open. It is a built-in microwave so replacing it was not as easy as running to Walmart and buying another one. Since I knew it was out of warranty I decided to crack it open to see if I could fix it.

inside I found that the part that is in between the button that you push to open the door and the door “claw” was broken. I tried several different combinations of pins and tie straps and got it partially working but I knew it wouldn’t last long.

This morning the wife and I drove to Home Depot, Lowes, Ikea, and a local appliance dealer and nobody had anything even similar to what we had in stock. They could order the same unit or something similar but prices started at the $250′s and went up from there. The soonest that anyone could get one in was 2 weeks. I looked online and I could get one in a week.

New Part: $65

In a stroke of guinness I called a local appliance parts dealer to see if they could order the broken part. To my amazement they had the part in stock. The only catch was it was $65! SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS for a piece of plastic that I am sure cost a whopping $0.15 to make. I swallowed my pride and went and paid $65 for the official piece of plastic from Whirlpool.

The good news is that the part has a lifetime warranty so if it breaks again I am not out any more money. The other plus side to this is that I am only out $65 as opposed to to $250+ for a new microwave. The last piece of good news is that we now have a working microwave and thus everyone is happy.

I tell you, I have felt ripped off before but I think this tops the cake. Thanks Whirlpool, you really know how to stick it the consumer. I have to tell you, I don’t think I will be buying another product from you again :-( .

Bag part came in

Here’s info for anyone else that may find themselves with the same issue:

  • Brand: Whirlpool
  • Model #: GT4175SPB-2
  • Issue: Door won’t open when you push the button
  • Cause: Broken knob on push bracket
  • Replacement part #: 8205451
  • Where you can buy it: www.1stsourceparts.com
  • Price (as of writing):$72.50 w/tax/warranty

P.S. I am going to try and tweet Whirlpool to see if they can explain this crazy pricing.

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]]> http://www.danmasters.net/the-70-piece-of-plastic-for-my-microwave.htm/feed 0 I Have Been Released to Pursue Other Options http://www.danmasters.net/i-have-been-released-to-persue-other-options.htm http://www.danmasters.net/i-have-been-released-to-persue-other-options.htm#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:38:54 +0000 Dan http://www.danmasters.net/?p=288 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> 2008-03-22-freedomThat is the nice way of saying that I got laid off today. I know that I was one of three that got released from the Product Management Team this morning from Coremetrics. I know the management there was doing all they could to avoid it but when the seas get rough you have to lighten the load in order to make it to port. I wish all those at Coremetrics well and look forward to seeing them make it through the storm.

In light of that I have added a new page to the site with my resume on it. If you are looking for a Product Manager that is well balanced between client requirements and the technical side of getting the job done then I am your man. I am in the Austin area and would love to talk to you. Sorry, I love Austin and am not looking to relocate.

My resume can be viewed and downloaded here:

Dan Masters – Product Manager, Austin TX

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]]> http://www.danmasters.net/i-have-been-released-to-persue-other-options.htm/feed 1 My Apple Keyboard Survived the "Spill Test" http://www.danmasters.net/my-apple-keyboard-survived-the-spill-test.htm http://www.danmasters.net/my-apple-keyboard-survived-the-spill-test.htm#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:55:39 +0000 Dan http://www.danmasters.net/?p=258 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> IMG_0207-1 I thought I would energize my aluminum Apple keyboard yesterday by dowsing it with some Red Bull. The keyboard didn’t flinch but I sure did even though there wasn’t any sparks or explosions.

After unplugging it from my computer I placed it upside down so the Bull could flow out of it. After I wiped it down I plugged it in and it still worked. I used it the rest of the day without a hitch.

When I came in this morning I did not think about yesterdays baptism in the Bull until I tried to come to this website and was typing my name. The R was slow to some back up after being pressed and so I need to perform some surgery on my keyboard.

I ended up popping off the a Shift key, plus the T, R, and E keys. I rinsed each key and its little plastic spring with water and wiped the inside of the key socket. While those keys are now nice and responsive I have noticed that the G key is also acting sluggish so it looks like I will need to pop it off as well.

I wish I could just throw this thing in the dish washer and take care of it in one swoop.

P.S. This post has caused me to add a new category named "Doh!".

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