I recently had problems with my refrigerator, which is about three years old and was the top of the line model when purchased. In the course of getting it repaired, I came into contact with two very different repairmen who worked for the same company.

The first repairman, when I tried to explain that the freezer was also not working properly, told me that it was colder than 32 degrees and that it would get colder if we didn’t open it. I suppose that is true, but the point of having a freezer is being able to open it up every now and again. He also suggested that perhaps I measured the temperature while it was defrosting, my thermometer wasn’t accurate, etc. Just about any excuse not to look at anything but what was listed on the service ticket.

The second repairman, who came to install the parts, was quite different. He made the repairs listed, but when I told him about the freezer and that the ice maker had gotten slower since the first visit, he looked further. He found that the compressor fan was failing and that there was a factory recall on those fans, which I could have fixed for free.

After the first repairman, I was ready to take my refrigerator back to where I purchased it in Covington and drop it from a very tall crane. The second repairman, restored my faith in a company I have purchased major appliances from all of my adult life.
In any job or position, we can either take the initiative to do our best or not. I know which one I want to be. How about you?

Patrick Durusau is a resident of Covington. His columns regularly appear on Fridays.