dishwasher end panel

[easy]

This is primarily a question for those of you in the appliance and/or appliance repair business. I recently purchased a Maytag dishwasher (MDB4949SHB) and had it installed. A side panel kit is available for those cases where the dishwasher is installed at the end of a cabinet run. The side panel is the same color as the front of the dishwasher and essentially a flat piece of metal and a couple of screws.

I have ordered these kits in the past for both Kenmore and Whirlpool dishwashers and if my memory is correct, never paid more than $50.00 to $75.00 for the kit. Maytag's price for the kit is $530.29 plus shipping and tax! Convinced it was a misprint, I called Maytag to check on the price but they assured me it was correct. Keep in mind that I paid $583.00 for the machine.

I know I can have a carpenter fashion an end panel out of wood and finish it to match the cabinets. Does anyone know of another source of parts other than the genuine Maytag/Whirlpool website?

By the way, the Maytag does a fabulous job of cleaning the dishes although it takes (to me) a very long time to do it.

 

[DADoES]

 
There are many online parts sources.  One I often use that usually (not always) has the best price is PartsDr.

Google the part number of the side-panel kit, assuming you know what is it (you didn't cite it in question).

 

[pierreandreply4]

there part select but thats in canada

 

[stevet]

Go back to the store.

You did not mention where you purchased the machine but I am sure they can give you a better idea of what a side panel should cost. It should be in their price books if it is available.

 

[easy]

Found it!

I did find the panel on a couple of the parts websites for about half of Maytag's price. When I googled the part # (8171657), Amazon came up with the part for $43.51! I must have grabbed the last one since it now comes up as unavailable.
I do have an order confirmation, but we'll see if it does actually show up.

I did call the store where I bought the machine but the salesman is rather young and had no clue what an end panel was. He promised to research it for me but has never called back. Once the order was placed, he seems to have lost all interest in it...