Sears appliance repair question

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I called the Sears repair "department" (call center) to see if a licensed plumber could make that determination, or if it needed to be a Sears rep. I didn't want to pay for a Sears call if it wasn't their deal, and I didn't plan on using their service (tank is covered by manufacturer warranty, which doesn't include labor).


what is done is done, but out of curiosity, since you had to pay a plumber to come make that determination, what does it matter if this was your guy of their guy? do you trust your guy more than their guy? or does your guy offer lower rates?