The Landlord Texteth

Managing rental properties, when you're disabled, has it's drawbacks and advantages.  Earl has to do most of the legwork, inspecting properties, attending important homeowners' meetings, or showing prospective tenants.  Since he has a job, that tends to take up his days off, evenings or weekends.  We know we can always call on our village* and being up front with our tenants (It's nice to have a tenant with a sense of humor) about my ataxia has been very helpful.  However, armed with a smartphone, computer and some cognitive ability, I can be responsive, troubleshoot most issues, and not have to move my butt out of the chair.

Text Message to Earl:
Awesome!
Since your European biking trip is over and you’re now flying home, I thought you’d get a kick out of this adventure.  I believe texting has an undeservedly bad rep.  It has been a boon to me as a landlord with limited mobility.  High tech combined with low tech–text messaging, computer, smartphone, live chat, time and the freedom that technological anonymity** affords my smart mouth and dark side. 
Love, T.

9/4 From <tenant>
Hey tammy-it's <tenant>. Hope ur well. I'm writing because one of the burners on our stove top is out of order. Would it be possible 2 send someone 2 take a look at it?

To <tenant>
Our contractor can't get there before next week.  If you feel it's more urgent, let me know.

From <tenant>
Next wk is fine. What day?  Also, would i need 2 be home 2 let him in or does he have keys?

9/9 From <contractor>
I think the controls for the burner are bad. Can't find model plate.
9/9 To '<tenant>
I’m going to have you call Sears Appliance Repair.  That seems more efficient.
1-800-4MY-HOME (1-800-469-4663)

9/12 From <tenant>Hi Tammy-
The Sears appliance repair person came by yesterday.  In order to initiate repairs they will need the model # of the stove.  But one could not be found on the stove.  Your contractor had the same issue.  We did manage to locate an owners manual which gives the model # at 790-xxxx-xxxx.  There is an additional 8 digits after it that give it a complete model #.  Sears will require you to locate an original receipt and/or other paperwork that will have the complete model #. 
From their assessment, the simmer board is completely charred, which could mean that the burner is also broken.  However, they can't order any parts unless they know the actual model # of this stove.

9/12 To <tenant>
I can’t find a receipt.  If the entire simmer board is charred, I’d rather replace the whole range than throw good money after bad.  It's hard for me to believe that Sears can't obtain a model number on a product they sold.  Did they leave a number to call?  This is the information I have found.
Sears appliance
Item number: 22-96419
Price: $635
Chosen and paid for by Tamara Schuman 11/2007

9/12 From <tenant>
Tammy-
I contacted Sears and they were able to give me 4 more digits to the model #.  So far I have 790-9621-xxxx.
However I didn't get very far with them when I offered to give them the item #, price etc.  The same issue stands that parts cannot be ordered unless Sears has the full 11 digit model number.  I still have the appointment scheduled for next week.  We could wait until next wed and see what the repair person has to say and how we can proceed from there.
The only phone number I have for them is the number you emailed me.  They did mention that it's possible to contact the manufacturer of Kenmore stoves directly with the item number and they might be able to possibly be able to track down a complete model number.  I was on the phone with them as they attempted to do just that.  However, after multiple holds and transfers, I wasn't able to get any answers.
Let me know how you want to proceed.

9/13 To <tenant>
FYI:  My CHAT transcript
Dear Customer, please wait while we connect you to a Sears Blue Service Crew member to assist you 
Live chat help desk:  Good Afternoon. How may I assist you?
Tammy: Help me find a model number for a range purchased in 2007.
Live chat help desk:The model number tag can usually be found beneath the range top, if it is removable. On models with sealed top burners, the model number plate can usually be found on the front frame of the stove behind the oven door, broiler drawer or on the side of the boiler/warmer drawer body.
Tammy: I have 790-9621-xxxx
Live chat help desk: Just to confirm, was the range purchased at Sears?
Tammy: Yes.  Neither contractor nor Sears technician could read the model number tag
Live chat help desk: If the technician unable to read the model number, he will be not able to fix the appliance.
Tammy: Sears appliance item number: 22-96419; Price: $635; Buyer of record: Tamara Schuman 11/2007 
Live chat help desk: I can check the purchase details and try to help you with the right model number of your range. However, of the technician unable to read the model number, he will be not able to fix the appliance.
Tammy: The Sears appliance technician assessment was that the simmer board is completely charred, which could mean that the burner of the front left side is also broken.
Live chat help desk: The model number is very important for the appliance, because if the technician will not be able to order the part without model number.
Tammy:  Gee–really?  I didn’t say, 'Thanks for the tip', 'That never occurred to me', or ‘Let me write that down’, but I so wanted to.***
Live chat help desk: Let me check whether I can help you with the model number, may I have your full name,  phone number and e-mail address please?
Tammy: Tammy Schuman; schumant@emailaddress.com
Live chat help desk: Tammy, is the service address <our home address>, correct?
Tammy: That's the billing address.  The service address is different.
Live chat help desk: I can see that there is a range purchased on 10/20/2001.
Tammy: That's not the one.
Live chat help desk: Okay, may I know the phone number or the full service address used while purchasing your range
Tammy: <Our home phone>.  The property in question burned to the ground in 2006 and had to be rebuilt. We picked out and paid for all appliances, including the range, in 2007.
Live chat help desk: Tammy, the model number of our range is 79096419400.  You can make a note on that.  I am showing it was purchased on 11/10/2007.
Tammy: Thanks. Question—Does it make more sense to repair or purchase a comparable unit?
Live chat help desk: It is always better to have the range fixed than replacing as it saves you lot of money and time.  Let me schedule a service appointment.
Tammy: No, wait!  There is one already scheduled for Wednesday.
Live chat help desk: Okay!  Do you any further questions for me?
Tammy: Yes. Does Sears have a comparable range in the event I decide to replace the unit?
Live chat help desk: Please contact our shopping department at 1-800-349-4358; Monday to Friday - 0730-2200, Saturday - 0730-2000, Sunday 0730-1800 CST.  They will be happy to assist you further in this regard.


9/13 To <tenant>
I had trouble with the shopping department, finally hanging up in frustration.  I certainly would prefer to repair the unit if that makes sense.  If not, I would replace it with something comparable.  I hate to dump this on you, but you have all the information and the repair appointment on Wednesday.  I should be around all day.  We'll figure this out.

9/13 From <tenant>
I'm chuckling as I read the CHAT transcript. Thank you for getting the model #.  I'll keep the appointment for Wednesday and let you know what's up.

We ended up replacing the range.  It seemed like a better business decision. When we began managing our own rental properties 20 years ago, this adventure would have taken for freakin'–EVER to address rather than 12 to 14 days.

The Lesson: It may seem like preaching to the choir, but today's technologies make life more efficient for everyone whether you're traveling, conducting business, or trying to maintain contact with people.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 * Previous post: Where's My Village?
 ** Previous post: Technology–Unintended Consequences
*** Previous post:  Intent...Not Content


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