Buying aftermarket parts for your appliance may save you some money up front, but may end up costing you more money on additional repairs down the road. For example, I purchased an aftermarket drain pump for a Whirlpool direct drive washer. The unit was difficult to install due to some molding imperfections compared to the OEM part. It was also noisy. Since I didn’t trust the part, I removed it and installed the OEM version. The OEM version is about three times more expensive than the aftermarket product, but I found it to be worth the extra cost.

Websites that sell appliance parts often sell many aftermarket products, but you should read carefully, otherwise you’ll think you’re buying an OEM part. Some sites lead you to their location advertising OEM parts for Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, etc., but then direct you to their lower priced aftermarket versions. This is bait and switch, but it is common.

Some websites refer to their parts as “Exact Replacement Part”. In this sentence, the giveaway is “Exact Replacement”, indicating that it is the exact replacement for the OEM part. Exact replacement parts are made for many brands including Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Roper, and Kitchenaid.

Bottom line, cheaper isn’t always better, and make sure you know what you’re buying. If you have to have an aftermarket version, do some research first to see what others have to say about it. If you’re looking for an OEM part, be sure to read the label carefully to confirm it’s not an aftermarket part disguised with phrases like “Exact Replacement Part.”