Is your washing machine not working as well as it could be? Do you have other appliances that you fear may be ready to break down? If the answer is yes, then you are probably considering buying a new appliance. But what if you could keep your trusted appliances? You should be asking- is appliance repair more cost-effective than buying new? When repaired by a qualified and reputable appliance repair service, your appliances may have years of use ahead of them. It’s possible for an appliance repair service to fix everything from kitchen appliances to laundry room appliances. So, before you run out and get a new appliance, consider the relief of knowing you can keep your familiar appliances with affordable repairs.
What Makes Appliance Repair More Affordable Than Buying New?
Several factors should be considered before deciding whether to have your appliance repaired.
Appliance Repair Upfront Costs Are Less
Even if your appliance needs several components replaced, having an appliance repair service fix it is cheaper than buying a new one. Yes, buying new has more upfront costs but can possibly give you more savings over time than appliance repair. Your repaired appliance may also last just as long as a new one.
Appliance Repair Doesn’t Have Hidden Costs
There are no hidden costs with appliance repair. When buying a new appliance, there can be a plethora of hidden costs. Things like delivery and handling fees may not be listed in the price of a new appliance. Some warranties have to be purchased and are not standard with an appliance. There are even things such as restocking fees if your appliance does not work to your satisfaction. Why take the risk of buying a new appliance when you can have it repaired for less with no hidden fees? With your existing appliance, you know what you are getting.
A refrigerator is an appliance whose basic working principles have not changed since the 1950s. Yes, there have been some technological advances, but the difference between then and now is cosmetic and power-related. Then, if there isn’t a large amount of change between an appliance from seventy years ago and today, how much closely related is an appliance only ten or fifteen years old? It makes perfect sense to have an appliance repair service restore something rather than take the chance on a new appliance. You know what you are getting when you have your appliance repaired, and you contain costs at the same time.
The Hidden Value of Appliance Repair
Have you heard the old adage that “they don’t make ’em like they used to?” There is some truth in that when it comes to older appliances. Depending on which decade your appliances were made, they may have higher quality materials and better craftsmanship. It’s a well-known fact that as the twentieth century ended, a concept called “built-in obsolescence” was adopted by most manufacturing companies in the United States. In doing that, it left the door open for competing manufacturers in countries such as Japan to flood the market with high-quality items such as appliances. In the late 1990s, there was a push to create quality manufacturing in the United States, and you could buy everything from hot water heaters to microwave ovens with better quality. That trend continued until the financial crisis of 2008. Afterward, all manufacturers across the globe produced appliances with cheaper materials and less skilled labor. You can see why your older appliance may have more value than a newer one, minus a few technological advances. Appliance repair saves you money in the long run by fixing your higher-quality appliances rather than purchasing newer ones that will have a shorter lifespan.
A Value You Can’t Put a Dollar Amount On
One thing that you can’t place a dollar amount on is the familiarity of using an appliance that you’ve had for years. You know exactly how to use it, so much so you could do it in the dark. You may not have the time or inclination to learn how a new appliance works. Perhaps you just prefer the simplicity of an older appliance. Appliance repair will save you time because you don’t have to take the time to learn how it works. There is also sentimental value in an older appliance. Perhaps you bought an appliance when you were first married, and it has loyally served you since your children left home. Or was your older appliance given to you by a relative who is no longer with us? Whatever the sentimental attachment, appliance repair can keep that old friend in your washing machine or refrigerator around for years to come.
Picking the Right Appliance Repair Service
Choosing the right appliance repair company is crucial. You will also save money through appliance repair when you choose a reliable service. Check reviews on Google or Yelp that will give you an idea of what an appliance repair service costs. You can also see if they belong to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and see if there have been complaints about overcharging. Make sure to get a quote before allowing an appliance repair service to move forward with any repairs so that you protect yourself from an unscrupulous company that will try to take advantage of your inconvenience. With a reliable repair service, you can have peace of mind knowing your appliances are in good hands.
A Final Thought
After considering all the possible factors in the cost of appliance repair or buying a new one, you can see the inherent value in choosing the former. The costs are significantly lower with appliance repair than buying new, and there are things that you can’t put a value on such as quality of materials in the appliance, the craftsmanship that went into the production of the appliance, and the sentimental attachment you may have to a given appliance. The choice is clear: appliance repair will save you money in the long run.
