Big-ticket Items -- Repair or Replace?
When high-dollar items such as computers, cameras, or clothes washers and dryers bite the dust, the first thing that likely comes to mind is whether to get a repair guy to fix the appliance or electronic device or do some research to find a replacement. There are lots of factors to consider when making that important decision.
First off, is the thin
g really on the fritz? Take the time to troubleshoot your problem before you bail on it. With computers, for example, a simple reboot, many times, will solve a transitory problem. For a large appliance like a washer or dryer, has the circuit breaker been tripped because one of your kids is trying to use a high-wattage hair dryer while a load of clothes is drying? A washer with an unbalanced load may trip a vibration sensor to stop the washer before it's damaged, or water on the floor may come from an abraded hose and not a leak in the tub. Check your user manual, call the manufacturer, or visit Internet chat boards for user-generated solutions to common problems.For an idea of how long an electronic gizmo or appliance should last, take these approximations from those in the (repair) know. Note that is also dependant on initial quality of the item, daily use, etc.
- Refrigerators: 12-20 years
- Freezers: 12-20 years
- Ranges/ovens: 10-14 years
- Dishwashers: 10-12 years
- Washers and dryers: 10-14 years
- Computers: 2-4 years
- Cell Phones: 1-3 years
- Televisions: 3-8 years
For some help climbing your way through the branches of the repair or replace decision tree, these are general guidelines from various consumer advocate sources:
Electronics (Ce
ll phones, smartphones, cameras, televisions, computers): If the device is less than 2 years old, repair it. If more than 4 years old, replace it; you'll likely get more advanced technology and cool stuff at a (relatively) cheaper price. If your gadget is somewhere in the middle (say between 2 and 4 years), replace it if the repair cost is more than half the replacement cost.Deals you may like:
Samsung S5830L Galaxy Ace Unlocked Phone, $242 (reg. $349)
Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera, $150 (reg. $229)
Samsung UN32EH4000 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LED HDTV, $350 (reg. $419)
Toshiba Satellite 15.6-Inch Laptop, $370 (reg. $470)
Major appliances (Home theater and Audio Systems, washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers): If the device is less than 4 years old, repair it. If more than 7 years old, replace it. For the middle years, replace it if the repair cost is more than half the replacement cost.
The takeaway on these guidelines? If you really like what you have and don't want to send it packing, spend the money on repairs, on the premise that this breakdown (like a broken drive belt or sequential timer) was a one-off incident. If it appears that the breakdown is the start of something bad/worse, employ the replace if more than 50% to repair rule.
Deals you may like:
LG WM3455HS Silver Washer/Dryer Combo, $1,399 (reg. $1,999)
Amana 25 CF Refrigerator, $899 (reg. $1099)
Whirlpool Upright Manual Defrost Freezer, $543 (Reg. $724)
Sony BRAVIA DAV-DZ170 Home Theater System, $199 (reg. $250)
Other considerations: Yo
ur computer, refrigerator, clothes washer, and the like may have an opportunity loss -- if you can't get it repaired pronto, you may be out of a home-based job, or you may have rapidly spoiling milk and thawing food on your hands. When there's no backup to these appliances (neighbor, spare computer, or the local washateria), you've got to move quickly. Also, for example, will your washer or dryer operate just fine with only half of the 8 or 10 wash or dry cycles? In that case, move on until something more calamitous occurs.Ensure that the stated price of the article reflects what the thing is actually going to end up costing and that delivery and disposal are included. Additionally, be sure that the appliance to be removed can actually be removed. I have seen an instance when a framing enclosure was added around a refrigerator; when it had to be replaced, the extensive surround required (expensive) removal.
Computers: Many times, an on-sale $399 computer ends up costing -- after store "setup", adding increased memory, etc. -- perhaps twice the advertised cost. Make certain the final cost and warranty provisions are clear. Should you get a computer virus, for example, it's typically not covered; only hardware is. When the warranty gets close to the expiration date, can you purchase an extension?
Deals you may like:
Gateway ZX6900-49 23-Inch All-in-One Desktop, $850 (reg. $1000)
HP TouchSmart 520-1050 Desktop Computer, $999 (reg. $1,099)
HP Pavilion dm1-4142nr Entertainment PC 11.6-Inch Laptop, $400 (reg. $500)
Apple MacBook Air MC965LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop, $1210 (reg. $1299)
Energy-saving features on major appliances are important. If the item is Energy Star-certified, you'll save some on your utility bills; if power costs you less at night, opt for a washer or dryer that has a delayed start option. Over time, you'll save money.
The more complicated a machine is, the more that can go wrong, and the more it will cost to repair; do you really need 8 wash cycles or 6 dryer cycles to get your clothes clean? To minimize cost, get the least you need to do the job.
Can you accomplish some of the repairs yourself? The biggest cost component of a service call is usually the labor -- if you can change a drive belt or a lint filter yourself, find an appliance that makes it easy to do so. Preventive maintenance, by you or a service rep, may pay dividends in the long run.
One more thing about repair services. There are 3 general types: factory repairs by the manufacturer, authorized repairs by a contractor who likely has undergone factory training, and independent repairmen who may not be much more than a handyman with a pickup truck. Know what you're getting.
Repair or replace -- it boils down to how long you've had the item, how much a repair will be versus the cost of a new gadget, and how badly you need to keep the item in service.
If you have horror stories, or atta-boy compliments about a repair or replace issue, leave a comment.
Comments page 1 of 1
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Eloise said 4-15-2012 @10:42AM
OMG! My appliances are living on borrowed time. My dishwasher is 25 years old and still works great. I do know it isn't long for this world. My stove top and wall oven ditto. I have replaced refrigerators, freezer and washing machines. I also have a 24 year old TV that still works and a couple of other oldies too. I agree that if it will cost more tha a couple hundred bucks to fix, get rid of it.
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captcrunch said 4-15-2012 @12:20PM
Stay away from foreign made (Samsung, LG, Bosch) appliances, very pleasing to the eye but difficult to find proper repairs. Also buy the most basic equipment with a minimum of bells and whistles, less stuff to break down. All the "GREEN" machines, stay away most technology has not yet been proven, specially front load washers.
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Jean Hooe said 4-15-2012 @11:22AM
And when you are ready to replace think three times before you buy GE. My new GE washer & dryer hasn't operated to my satisfaction since the first day. Two technicians later and I'm still waiting for a part for the dryer that is on permanent backorder, and the washer is just a plain piece of s...t. Stick the high efficiency appliances up the gazoo of an elephant. I'm considering going back to washing by hand.
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john said 4-15-2012 @2:02PM
Before you go back to washing by hand, here is a thought. Every Sears Kemore Washer,is made by Whirlpool. Most of the dryers too. Having worked at the factory for ten years, I saw Whirlpool and Kenmore made side by. Get the Seara, cheaper, with less things to go wrong. Now the Whirlpool, are now made in Mexico..good luck!
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Linda said 4-15-2012 @4:33PM
Neither the brand new Kenmore range, dishwasher, refrigerator, washer or dryer were made by Whirlpool. I bought them because I thought that was true. The range was crap and I had the dishwasher repaired 3 times in the first 2 months. Last time we bought all older used appliances and they all work wonderful. They are at least 20 years old.
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Randy said 4-15-2012 @11:43AM
My wife and I just replaced our PCs with Alienware high quality gaming laptops for only $1300 each. This was also with some very good upgrades. I was amazed as to the fact my Alienware Area 51 cost more then both put together and that was over 2 years ago. Also Laptops are usually more costly because the tech is more compact and microized in them.
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Larry LaDuke said 4-15-2012 @12:00PM
I paid 2200 for a nice Sub Zero in 1992. Well my 20 year old fridge went on the fritz. Exact replacement cost? 6800 bucks? Cost of repair and doing a super clean to make it look like new? 800 bucks! yeah and I have the old version not the newer POS that probably will break down in 5 years.
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don said 4-15-2012 @12:15PM
Speaking only about appliances your projection are WAY to optimistic base on my 35 years in the field. Granted 20 years ago they would have been fairly accurate but with today manufacturing you will be lucky to get 7-10 years of service before replacing. The cost of repairing an appliance today with the increase a company's operating expense to go to your home and repair an appliance make replacement a more viable option in many cases.
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captcrunch said 4-15-2012 @12:21PM
A word of caution from an appliance repair Technician.
reply1) If you don't know what your doing don't do any more than what the manual suggests.I.E Electric dryers are 220v, it can KILL you.
2)If you think you are real handy and start to take one a part and can't figure it out; It will cost you more than if you had call the technician in from the beginning.Washers & dryers are not simple to open.
3)An average repair on a dryer in the midwest will run you $160.00. The exact estimate is always given to you by the technician once he arrives and after he determines the problem, not by the person on the phone.
4) A service call fee is usually collected only when the consumer turns down the estimate by the tech. Average fee in the midwest is $49.00.
5)When you buy, buy a recognizable name. Samsung, LG, Bosch are very aesthetically pleasing machines but are more expensive to repair and not many technicians know how, so you may sit with abroken appliance for weeks until your appointment is met.
There is much more about residential appliances that can be said but time is short.
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val said 4-16-2012 @10:21PM
I have replaced my dishwasher at 10 yrs. with the new Kenmore energy saver, top rated, super quiet model. I hate it. I am handwashing dishes now and dreading replacing other appliances with the short- lived, poor quality, technology wonders of today. Who designs this stuff? All I want is a dishwasher that can aim water so that all dishes come out clean, so I don't have to inspect and rewash each one. Energy-saver? I don't think so, at least not MY energy.
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STOSH said 4-15-2012 @1:28PM
it's called planned obsolesence
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Anthony bareford said 4-15-2012 @2:27PM
If manufacturers would stop trying to make everything so damn complicated, then everything would last MUCH MUCH longer. I know of refrigerators that are so old that the doors are about to rust right off of them, but they still stay cold, and the freezers still freeze, and the light bulb still comes on ... Ya know why ??? Well, it's because the only extra feature that those old boxes had , ( besides the cold box, and the freezer ) was the light bulb !! My Grandparents bought a refrigerator when I was in my late twenties, and it's still working perfectly ... I'll be fifty this coming September by the way. It was nothing fancy, just a standard freezer on top, and refrigerator on the bottom. No bells that go off if you leave the door open, no mother boards, no heaters, (heaters... who the heck ever heard of a heater in a refrigerator ?!?!?) no digital readouts, water filters, ice makers, water fountains... Good God .... No wonder the new ones won't last !!!! The odds of all that stuff working properly at the same time probably aren't too good . I strongly suspect that the makers of major appliances want it this way, I mean, why build an appliance that lasts for 30 years when they can sell you a new one every 5 to seven, and keep a healthy parts , and service business going. I guess that the manufacturers of the world learned that by building fancy crap they can make more money than building simple quality. Poor consumer !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Annette said 4-15-2012 @8:04PM
MY GE Profile diswasher is aobut 4 yrs old, I barely use it. The front panel wont work, except light up. The tech guy charged me $100 to come out! He charged me $150 down payment on a spare part idea! Waited 6 weeks for the part. Spare part cost me $350. Now I am out $600. He tells me he can get me a basic (no fancy electronics) model for $600. LOL there's just two of us, and we usually do the dishes by hand (hence the barely used). I'm gonna use the kitchen space for something more useful!
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