pierreandreply4
Well-known member
hello to all sorry the article is in french but i would like to know everyone toughs on this news article that was publish back in 2015 i have translated the article to english with google translate but would like your toughs on the news article
The industry has organized itself so that repair often costs more than replacing the product, denounces the dean of repairers in Quebec.
Gisèle Côté’s washer was starting to get noisy and smell hot after a decade of service. Claude Couture, the dean of appliance repairers in Quebec with nearly 50 years of experience, came to examine the device.
Welded washers
His verdict is classic. The rod holding the tank in place should be replaced, as should the bearings. His estimate: more than $ 1,000, or $ 90 of labor, but an impressive $ 943 of parts.
“15 years ago, it would have cost him less than $ 400. She would have had it fixed, "said the 72-year-old.
The difference from the old days is that most components of clothes washers are now welded and not screwed on. So, no matter which part breaks, you have to change everything. Here, the shaft and the basket as well as the tank and the bearings come together.
Gisèle Côté paid the $ 50 for Claude Couture's trip, but will buy a brand new washer that will cost a few hundred dollars less than repairing her old machine.
"Today, a quarter of my clients make this decision. And I understand them, ”he says.
Disposable culture
"The industry has moved in the wrong direction. We created a generation of disposable devices, "plague Claude Couture.
But why weld the parts instead of screwing them? Because it is easier and cheaper to assemble in the factory, answers Claude Couture.
And customers benefit from the savings at the time of purchase. But in the long run, the consumer loses, since his washer will break and be replaced on average after seven years, instead of 15 before.
Couture even suspects that manufacturers are doing it on purpose to force consumers to change their devices more often.
The Journal asked the giants Whirlpool, LG, Samsung and Miele to explain themselves. None called Le Journal two days after the request.
Twenty years ago, Mr. Couture generally charged less than $ 100 for minor repairs to home appliances. Now, because of the cost of the parts, his bill almost always exceeds $ 200.
The devices last less, as does the parts warranty, in many cases increased from 10 years to a year.
"About 20% of all the complaints we receive are about warranties," says Charles Tanguay, from the Office of Consumer Protection.
In short, it is better to keep your old appliances for a long time, advises Claude Couture. Last week, he even repaired a washer purchased in 1965, when he started working as an appliance repairer.
7: The average number of years a washer has lived. It’s half as much as those made about 20 years ago.
37: The number of the section of the Consumer Protection Act which says that a good must be able to serve "for a reasonable period of time", regardless of whether the warranty has expired. So if it's no longer guaranteed, it may still be.
WHAT'S BREAKING?
Claude Couture sums up what most often requires repair.
Fridge
The new greener freon is also more corrosive. Leaks from gnawed pipes are common.
Oven
Electronic components. "It could all be simplified. We don't use all of these functions, "he says.
washer
The bearings. “They are welded to the tank, so everything has to be replaced. It costs more. ”
dryer
"This is what breaks down less often. Sometimes the too long return air hose overheats. ”
Dishwasher
The pumps. "The capacity of the dishwashers is greater, but the pumps are smaller, so they are overloaded."
THE VICTORIES OF DAVID C. GOLIATH
Manufacturers and retailers sometimes show their customers colors of all colors. Here are four stories from a washerwoman where the ears were rinsed.
Unknown error code
When the washer started spinning badly and an error code was displayed, Rigaud's couple called its manufacturer. His answer: the error code is not mentioned in his manual, so there is nothing he can do for them! Worse: since they didn't buy an extended warranty, he refuses to suggest a repairer. Incomplete answers that will ultimately cost him more than $ 2,500 since the unlucky customers also had problems with their fridge, bought at the same time.
"Change it then!" "
A repairer who suggests not to repair can be surprising. However, this is what a Granby employee did, embarrassed to bill his client again more than $ 300 for a washer paid $ 549 less than two years ago. The manufacturer did not want to pay the repair bill, so he ended up in court. In May, a judge awarded the client $ 935 ($ 500
from the journal the montreal
The industry has organized itself so that repair often costs more than replacing the product, denounces the dean of repairers in Quebec.
Gisèle Côté’s washer was starting to get noisy and smell hot after a decade of service. Claude Couture, the dean of appliance repairers in Quebec with nearly 50 years of experience, came to examine the device.
Welded washers
His verdict is classic. The rod holding the tank in place should be replaced, as should the bearings. His estimate: more than $ 1,000, or $ 90 of labor, but an impressive $ 943 of parts.
“15 years ago, it would have cost him less than $ 400. She would have had it fixed, "said the 72-year-old.
The difference from the old days is that most components of clothes washers are now welded and not screwed on. So, no matter which part breaks, you have to change everything. Here, the shaft and the basket as well as the tank and the bearings come together.
Gisèle Côté paid the $ 50 for Claude Couture's trip, but will buy a brand new washer that will cost a few hundred dollars less than repairing her old machine.
"Today, a quarter of my clients make this decision. And I understand them, ”he says.
Disposable culture
"The industry has moved in the wrong direction. We created a generation of disposable devices, "plague Claude Couture.
But why weld the parts instead of screwing them? Because it is easier and cheaper to assemble in the factory, answers Claude Couture.
And customers benefit from the savings at the time of purchase. But in the long run, the consumer loses, since his washer will break and be replaced on average after seven years, instead of 15 before.
Couture even suspects that manufacturers are doing it on purpose to force consumers to change their devices more often.
The Journal asked the giants Whirlpool, LG, Samsung and Miele to explain themselves. None called Le Journal two days after the request.
Twenty years ago, Mr. Couture generally charged less than $ 100 for minor repairs to home appliances. Now, because of the cost of the parts, his bill almost always exceeds $ 200.
The devices last less, as does the parts warranty, in many cases increased from 10 years to a year.
"About 20% of all the complaints we receive are about warranties," says Charles Tanguay, from the Office of Consumer Protection.
In short, it is better to keep your old appliances for a long time, advises Claude Couture. Last week, he even repaired a washer purchased in 1965, when he started working as an appliance repairer.
7: The average number of years a washer has lived. It’s half as much as those made about 20 years ago.
37: The number of the section of the Consumer Protection Act which says that a good must be able to serve "for a reasonable period of time", regardless of whether the warranty has expired. So if it's no longer guaranteed, it may still be.
WHAT'S BREAKING?
Claude Couture sums up what most often requires repair.
Fridge
The new greener freon is also more corrosive. Leaks from gnawed pipes are common.
Oven
Electronic components. "It could all be simplified. We don't use all of these functions, "he says.
washer
The bearings. “They are welded to the tank, so everything has to be replaced. It costs more. ”
dryer
"This is what breaks down less often. Sometimes the too long return air hose overheats. ”
Dishwasher
The pumps. "The capacity of the dishwashers is greater, but the pumps are smaller, so they are overloaded."
THE VICTORIES OF DAVID C. GOLIATH
Manufacturers and retailers sometimes show their customers colors of all colors. Here are four stories from a washerwoman where the ears were rinsed.
Unknown error code
When the washer started spinning badly and an error code was displayed, Rigaud's couple called its manufacturer. His answer: the error code is not mentioned in his manual, so there is nothing he can do for them! Worse: since they didn't buy an extended warranty, he refuses to suggest a repairer. Incomplete answers that will ultimately cost him more than $ 2,500 since the unlucky customers also had problems with their fridge, bought at the same time.
"Change it then!" "
A repairer who suggests not to repair can be surprising. However, this is what a Granby employee did, embarrassed to bill his client again more than $ 300 for a washer paid $ 549 less than two years ago. The manufacturer did not want to pay the repair bill, so he ended up in court. In May, a judge awarded the client $ 935 ($ 500
from the journal the montreal
