With the ice maker, I just went straight for the OEM even though it hurt to pay that much.
I totally get the hesitation—OEM prices are wild. But have you ever tried repairing or refurbishing instead of replacing? Sometimes a little DIY and a few eco-friendly parts can save cash and waste... though yeah, water leaks are my nightmare too. Ever looked into used or salvaged parts?
I hear you on the water leaks—those can turn a quick fix into a full-blown headache. I once tried swapping just the busted valve on an old ice maker, thinking I’d save some bucks. Ended up chasing a slow drip for days and finally caved for the OEM part. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth it, even if my wallet disagrees...
Honestly, I get the peace of mind with OEM parts, but I’ve had luck with decent aftermarket valves too—just gotta double-check the specs and seals. Sometimes it’s not worth tossing the whole unit if a small fix will do. Water leaks are a pain, but overhauling everything every time adds up fast.
