I purchased a Sears lawnmower with a Honda engine, Model # 917.376781 in September of 2007. Here in Michigan we use our lawn equipment about 6 months out of the year. Thus far, I have replaced the front plastic wheels on this mower 4 times. At $40 a set, I'm fast approaching the cost of a new mower in wheels alone.
Call it bad design or bad engineering (metal cog against plastic gears), but when a part lasts less than 9 months, something is obviously wrong. Consumers need to be protected from this type profiteering and I am seeking out other owners who have experienced this same fate with this model of lawn mower.
Since I first filed my complaint with the Michigan Attorney General in August of 2014, I noticed that Sears has dropped the cost of the replacement wheels from $18.99 to just $10.99. Attempts to glean records from Sears for the total units sold and replacement wheels sold have been met with proprietary refusals. Sears has looked at the numbers and realizes there's a problem, but refuses to take any proactive resolution.
A good settlement would be for Sears to furnish front wheels for the remaining life of the mower. It seems they have made enough money on this product and we shouldn't be shelling out cash to compensate for Sears poor design mistake.
The Michigan AG complaint number is 2014-cp09111748282-A. You can submit your experience directly to them at miag@michigan.gov . Or you can post your comments on this blog and I'll forward them on to the AG.
Thanks for your interest
