I used the site to determine which part I needed to replace our washer control board. The site said the part was no longer available and gave me the equivalent part. The part looked similar but not exactly the same, and did not have all of the same connectors. I had scheduled a repairman, not with Sears, and he verified the part wouldn't work by calling them. They said no problem, I could send it back and they would return my money. They also had the correct part in stock. I had not had a chance to order the correct part yet OR send back the wrong part when, a couple of days later, the correct part came FedEx! So grateful! Hate being without a washer with 5 in our household!
I did have very frustrating experiences initially with what I think was outsourced (not in the US) customer service reps by phone, and a really great experience with one that was definitely in the US. All's well that ends well. In the photos, the one on the right is what was in my washer (and looks identical though it isn't the new one). The one on the left was the "equivalent" sent originally.