Kenmore Black 1.2 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave 63259

My first microwave lasted for twenty-one years and was actually still working (just big and ugly) when I traded it for a Kenmore. The Kenmore looks nice, worked well, and then died yesterday - - giving it a lifespan of two years. Considering the trouble I have had with my new Kenmore washing machine - that's it. I won't be buying Kenmore products again.

Before you buy anything Sears or Kenmore, you might want to "google" some of the problems that have recently surfaced on warranty issues.

Even though my warranty said "Sears will repair it free of charge", they insisted that I had to pay a "diagnostic fee" and the labor to replace the defective magnetron.

The Sears employees who earnestly tried to find someone "upstairs" who would honor the warranty were frustrated. Every Sears person that I talked to face to face agreed that the microwave should be repaired without cost; but corporate said no!

This wasn't my first Sears microwave warranty experience. Back in the nineties, a similar situation arose. But, Sears repaired that unit under warranty, no problem (which is why I bought Kenmore again).

But things have changed!

This isn't the same Sears that it once was. Buyer Beware!

This microwave worked well enough for what I did with it, which was mostly just reheating, boiling water, and making popcorn. It died yesterday after 16 months of moderate use (3-4 times per day for a couple minutes). The fan and light still come on, but nothing gets warmer now (I did check the power and tried a few tests with different settings). I expect appliances to last longer.