my ice maker broke and now my wallet hurts

I’d compare the full repair quote - not just the part price - with how much hassle ice trays would add. If ice is an occasional convenience, trays may be an easy way to avoid a repair bill; if you rely on it daily, the convenience might make the repair worth reconsidering.

That comparison is easier if the estimate separates the part, labor, and any diagnostic fee. Then someone can see what they’re paying for before weighing the repair against the hassle of trays, rather than judging the whole bill by the price of one small component.

Along with separating out the diagnostic fee, it may help to ask whether that fee is applied toward the repair if you go ahead. That can change how the quote compares with simply using trays, even when the repair total itself stays the same.

If the first quote still feels steep, would you consider getting a second estimate before deciding? It could help distinguish a high diagnosis or labor charge from a repair price that’s simply not worth paying compared with trays.

I’d get a second estimate if the first total is high enough that a noticeably lower price might make repair preferable to trays. If the difference wouldn’t change that decision, another quote may not be worth the extra time or diagnostic cost.

For someone who needs ice regularly, I’d compare the repair with the likely cost and hassle of buying bags for a while - not assume bagged ice is automatically cheaper. It avoids a repair bill upfront, but repeated trips and ongoing purchases could make fixing the built-in unit the better value. For occasional use, bags may be a reasonable stopgap while deciding.

If someone needs ice regularly, a countertop maker could be worth comparing with bagged ice: its upfront cost may be worthwhile if it replaces frequent bag purchases, though it takes up counter space. If it would only be used now and then, bags seem like the simpler stopgap while deciding whether to repair the built-in unit.

A clear warranty on the repair would make a steep quote easier to consider, since it could reduce the risk of paying again if the same problem returns soon. But I’d still weigh the total against simpler alternatives; warranty coverage wouldn’t make an otherwise unjustifiable price worthwhile.