tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post1411612210631194377..comments2024-03-28T10:08:38.560-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Roberta X: A Morning Of Unexpected Expen$eRoberta Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-7757377678647853292015-01-29T13:17:46.498-05:002015-01-29T13:17:46.498-05:00I would not be surprised at a 100% mark-up. $225 ...I would not be surprised at a 100% mark-up. $225 wouldn't be atypical and... <br /><br /> These kinds of parts have gone up quite a lot of late, I'm not sure why.Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-35778508410348419372015-01-29T10:35:51.349-05:002015-01-29T10:35:51.349-05:00As an engineer in an electronics assembly plant, I...As an engineer in an electronics assembly plant, I'd have liked to see a picture of that board. $550 sounds way out of line. The little boards we build for automobiles are typically $15 on the loading dock - $12 for parts, $3 for labor, a few seconds share of paying for a million-dollar surface-mount line, overhead, and our tiny profit margin. The car company also has to amortize the design and tooling costs, but across quantities of hundreds of thousands that's only a few cents. When it goes to a part store instead of a production line, the car company will add a few dollars, distribution will add more than a few, and the part store has to add enough to make up for keeping it on the shelf for months, answering stupid questions from DIYers that don't know nearly as much as they think they do, etc., but it shouldn't be over $75.<br /><br />How would that compare to a furnace control? A furnace doesn't have many sensors and actuators: 2 or 3 temperature sensors, on/off inputs from the thermometer, and three outputs for the fan (120VAC at several amps), gas valve (24V), and igniter (high voltage?). Most of these are more expensive than the typical I/O for automotive boards. The board is probably produced in lower volume than car parts, but not too much lower. So, I'd guess $30 cost from the factory. I could see distribution costs and reasonable markups to $100-$150, but $550 is just extortionate. <br /><br />I've seen too many other examples of extortionate markups on repair parts, but think about this: what are the incentives when a company gets a 300-500% profit margin when their product breaks down!markmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-87270538986987826892015-01-28T21:35:48.792-05:002015-01-28T21:35:48.792-05:00The furnace control board gimmick is a huge ripoff...The furnace control board gimmick is a huge ripoff but as you note, one with no shortcut.Cincinnatushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10424218376882403880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-55663853331628080372015-01-28T18:54:39.230-05:002015-01-28T18:54:39.230-05:00No gas in that circuit board....Just, what, 10 wir...No gas in that circuit board....Just, what, 10 wires? <br /><br />and a sub 50 amp breaker can kill you just dead as one over 50.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-1323313152062331572015-01-28T12:38:22.350-05:002015-01-28T12:38:22.350-05:00Anon: Good advice. However, I'm very wary of ...Anon: Good advice. However, I'm very wary of working on gas appliances. I know electronics. I know electricity -- but I won't work in a hot breaker box over 50A or so, either. I know only the least bit about gas. The price for getting it wrong isn't charged in dollars and cents.Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-30331788153392417112015-01-28T12:36:30.218-05:002015-01-28T12:36:30.218-05:00I'm definitely in favor of warmth, and the $40...I'm definitely in favor of warmth, and the $400 I spent on my own furnace this winter didn't entirely break me, so I'm passing the savings (such as they are) on to you.CGHillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789097361138861462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-90152474117816590692015-01-28T11:27:43.341-05:002015-01-28T11:27:43.341-05:00Ebay. Or buy one locally. Replace it yoruself, sav...Ebay. Or buy one locally. Replace it yoruself, save about 30%Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-44737086568075500362015-01-28T10:36:07.517-05:002015-01-28T10:36:07.517-05:00Sent a bit via PayPal to Tam's tip jar. You gu...Sent a bit via PayPal to Tam's tip jar. You guys give me so much reading enjoyment and you should be warm! Thanks!one_of_manyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16870782536865250105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-55538779561040974982015-01-28T10:19:14.420-05:002015-01-28T10:19:14.420-05:00It's very much appreciated.It's very much appreciated.Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-38306617133060336712015-01-28T10:15:22.730-05:002015-01-28T10:15:22.730-05:00Holy crap, that's almost 1/3 of what I paid th...Holy crap, that's almost 1/3 of what I paid this summer for a whole new furnace. Ouchie.fillyjonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13016436113169230368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-30027623652546036832015-01-28T10:14:16.103-05:002015-01-28T10:14:16.103-05:00Sent a little bit, what I could afford. Sorry it&#...Sent a little bit, what I could afford. Sorry it's not more.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11402651457453813639noreply@blogger.com