The Sears Treadmill Saga - Part I

OK - I am sure that everyone thinks that Murphy's Law applies only to them, especially when it comes to assembling things. It's just a matter of odds that something won't fit together properly or something will break. Usually, when Steve's friend, Harry, comes over to install or assemble something for us, they count on doing at least one trip to Lowe's to pick up an extension or replacement for a piece that has broken, split or shattered...

And so begins our treadmill saga. We picked up our new treadmill on Tuesday night - in the box. Yesterday, Caleb came home from work early since it was raining, and he started putting it together for us. Usually, he is the one who can get things together without a problem - but not this time! He emailed Steve around 4:00 to tell him that a plastic piece on the console had broken when he was screwing it together. So instead of coming home to a treadmill that looks like this:


...we came home to a treadmill that looks like this:



I called Sears and - to make a really long conversation short - Sears told me:

a) the parts department could not order a replacement part since the console cost over $50 (it was more like $150) and they connected me to the warranty department.
b) the warranty department also could not authorize a replacement because a technician was required to come out and see exactly what broke.
c) a technician can come out next Wednesday - (you guessed it already, haven't you?) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. I literally laughed when I heard this. Someone has to come home from work to allow the tech to come and say "Yep, it's broken - I'll have to order a new console" ?
d) and how long will it take for the new part to arrive? I didn't even go there...

So - bottom line - we bought a treadmill. We can't use it now. I have no idea when we CAN use it. Stay tuned for Part II...