Repair vs Replacement

[westyslantfront]

With the economic slowdown, I foresee more people repairing appliances as was done years ago rather than replacing.
Appliance repair shops may very well see their business picking up.
I am also going to guess that rather than spend between
$1,200.00 and up for a front loader, more people will opt for the
top loaders at $450.00 up to $600.00.
I would like to hear other people's thoughts.

Ross

 

[launderess]

Repairs are great, if the appliance can indeed be worked upon.

Many modern appliances simply are not designed for repair work, or a simple part replacement. Often parts are in assemblies, which means even if say a bearing goes out on a front loader, the entire tub assembly must be replaced. The cost on replacing the later is so great as to equal or exceed a new machine, so most persons will opt for a new machine.

Of course it depends also on what one has. I'd repair a vintage Miele or many other appliances in a minute, not too sure if I'd be bothered about an Avanti or some such.

 

[qsd-dan]

The problem with repairing an appliance nowadays is that most parts are (in my opinion "purposely") priced high, and once you factor labor cost, well, you just spent enough $ to purchase a brand new unit.

My buddy who is a tech for Mercedes is definitely seeing much more repair work. The salesmen are lucky to sell 2 cars in one week.....all of them combined!

 

[ronhic]

Maybe, but...

....many people here will repair once or possibly twice if the original cost was high. My mother is about to get her oven fixed and has been quoted $110.00 call out fee (includes the first 10 minutes) and then $18.00 per 10 minutes after that plus parts. So the first hour is $200.00 (USD$140). This includes tax. This is the same that many washer repairers charge. Given that you can buy a perfectly good Electrolux/Simpson (and sometimes a Bosch) front load washer here for $650.00 (the equivalent of USD$450 including tax), I would fix once and then get rid of the second time depending on the spare parts cost.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Often parts are in assemblies,

Oh, Launderess, you are so right.

We have a Husqvarna snowblower. The control cable for the exit chute elevation broke, but we had to get the cable with the control lever attached (actually, it broke whn Rich's dad was using it, so he ordered and replaced it).

This year, one of the two cables that controls the direction of the chute broke. Can't buy a cable! Had to buy the assembly which consisted of the control lever system, cables, and chute control head. Almost $90 because we couldn't buy a $10 cable.

Oh well! That's where we are!

Chuck

 

[j2400]

I remember hearing during the 2001 era recession that repair businesses in general were seeing more business. I assume that could happen this time...particularly given how bad it could get.

Although, there is one problem in addition to comments made above there is the fact that so much modern stuff, even if it can be repaired, isn't designed to last. You can replace, say, a drain pump in a washer...and then replace the intake valve two weeks later, and then...well, you get the point.

 

[goatfarmer]

The repair side of our business has stayed pretty steady. A lot of it is warranty, so people are still buying new. But other people are still having the older ones checked out, to see if they're worth fixing, before buying new.

kennyGF

 

[everythingold]

I am doing more service work. I am also having trouble getting my hands on good used appliances, the supply is shrinking. IMHO, get a good, well-kept appliance, keep it clean and do the minor repairs that pop up. Stoves are best from the 60's and 70's, fridges from the 70 and early 80's. Top loaders, get a DD, they will run for 30 years (if you keep them from rusting), parts are all interchangeable. Used parts are the way to go. Nothing wrong with used parts, sometimes they are superior to brand new, high priced, low quality parts. If you want a front loader washer, buy a Speed Queen. SQ actually gives a warranty. Above all, stay away from computer boards. A late 40's gas stove will last forever if it is cleaned, kept from rust and occassionally oiled. There is simply nothing to fail. The mechanical componants are built to last. And remember rust kills! Matt

 

[golittlesport]

I'd like to chip in that this economic downturn could cause prices to fall somewhat on new goods. Many models of front load washers are manufacturer's top-of-the-line laundry equipment in the fanciest colors with the newest bells and whistles. But you can get a very good front load washer (Frigidaire, for example) for about the same price as a top loader these days, especially with utility rebates. A bottom-of-the-line front loader has just about everything a top-of-the-line agitator washer has, plus it is gentler on clothing and uses less electricity and water. With warnings of water rationing coming to So Cal this spring, I think people will still consider front loaders, especially lower-priced models.

 

[paulg]

2 cents.

For the average consumer facing the first repair on a major appliance, I would spend a maximum of 50% the cost of a new unit to repair the existing unit. More $$ could be justified if the appliance is difficult to remove or replace.
If the appliance failed again within a couple of years I'd dump it if it isn't relatively new.
That's what I love about vintage, you can repair them yourself for decades. The advice about not buying units with complex control boards is so true. Try to get a control PWB a few years down the pike from a foreign manufacturer. Yeah right! I bought my sister an Amana Radarange RRL7C for her wedding in 1982. Got the dial timer unit cuz I knew it would last. The darn thing still runs (ok, ok I put a blower motor in it ten years ago...).
One of my friends was complaining about his expensive CUI****RT coffeemaker that intermittent goes comatose. His coffeemaker went to landfill as I sip perfectly brewed coffee from my 1960 GE-Universal. Tee hee.

 

[paulg]

2 cents.

For the average consumer facing the first repair on a major appliance, I would spend a maximum of 50% the cost of a new unit to repair the existing unit. More $$ could be justified if the appliance is difficult to remove or replace.
If the appliance failed again within a couple of years I'd dump it if it isn't relatively new.
That's what I love about vintage, you can repair them yourself for decades. The advice about not buying units with complex control boards is so true. Try to get a control PWB a few years down the pike from a foreign manufacturer. Yeah right! I bought my sister an Amana Radarange RRL7C for her wedding in 1982. Got the dial timer unit cuz I knew it would last. The darn thing still runs (ok, ok I put a blower motor in it ten years ago...).
One of my friends was complaining about his expensive CUI****RT coffeemaker that intermittent goes comatose. His coffeemaker went to landfill as I sip perfectly brewed coffee from my 1960 GE-Universal. Tee hee.