When it’s time to replace a major appliance are you thunderstruck by sticker shock?

I always am. When the 10 year old $300 washing machine died, and its replacement was in the neighborhood North of a grand. The same was true of the water heater for which I’d planned to drop 3–400 bucks. $800!!! But the upside is the unbelievable improvements in the appliances. They actually salved the wounds to my wallet considerably. That 50 gallon water heater came with an unbelievable (for me) 20 year guarantee.