It's a long story....but at one point in time we had to have our pressure regulator changed.  The plumber took it out all together stating I didn't need it but turns out I did.  My pressure was a little over 100 and the valve in my washing machine developed the same issue after some time.  I knew the pressure was higher because of a couple of obvious things.  The water out of the sinks was stronger and the sprinkler system needed adjusting but I never thought about the valve in the washer until it went out.  The repair man tested the pressure and told me it was most likely the reason the valve went out.  I switch dishwashers in and out so I didn't have one installed long enough to affect the valve there.

Seems suspect to me if all three in your house went out.

Inlet valves are a major source of service calls on virtually all appliances, we see it everyday from Bosch-Speed Queen.

$280 is a lot of money for a simple 15 minute replacement of a part that is only about $50, I wish I could charge nearly $800 an hour for repairs, but one of the advantages of living in a big metropolitan area is that quality services often cost less with more choices.

Our total repair cost for replacing this valve on a MT DW In DC would be about $140 including service call charges.

Whirlpool can not demand old parts be returned on out-of-warranty jobs, but there is no reason not to give it back to them unless you want it. There are lots a damage and liability clames every year stemming from water damage caused by inlet valves that fail to shut off completely and I sometimes think that WP, etc wants to control the evidence by taking to old part that caused the problem, If an appliance ever causes damage to your home or an injury do not let the part or appliance be taken away from your home without consent from your insurance Co or if severe your attorney.

John L.