Inevitably it happens ….. an appliance of yours breaks down or just plain flat dies. So there you are …. faced with a dilemma. Do I buy a new appliance or revive the one I own? It’s a tough decision … but lets map out the decision process:
- When the repair costs as much as a new appliance. This is a “No Brainer” …. get a new appliance. Why would you possibly want to fix something that would cost as much as one brand new? Unless there is a space constraint and no options for a new appliance, I could see the reasoning in that situation. However for the most part … “break your piggy bank” and use it to get yourself a new appliance.
- If the repair is less than the cost of a new appliance … this is where things get a little muddled and can often leave a person “confuzzled” about what to decision to make. Lets go through and clearly and objectively state some options:
- When you have an opening … that will require some carpentry and you don’t want to spend money to alter it so that a new appliance can be installed. If the age of the appliance is fairly young and the scope of your repair is more towards the “Not Too Serious” side … its possible to get more bang for your buck with an appliance repair. Some repairs really are very simple … it can be something minor that needs to be fixed … and then it could go on to live a happy appliance life.
Now some of this reasoning is more of a “go with your gut” thinking. If you are comfortable with your decision to repair the appliance .. then do so. Also never be afraid to ask a repair person about the appliance and the decision to repair or not repair the appliance. A good repair man will never be afraid to tell you if its worth spending the money to repair.
**** JUST REMEMBER ****
A repair is a “gamble” taken … something else with the unit “could” possibly go wrong.
- When you have an appliance “up in years”, but the parts are available to repair the appliance. So here is the “lowdown” on appliance companies and parts….. Appliance manufacturers only have to keeps parts in circulation for the duration of 7 years. Thats it … yes I know what you’re thinking(That’s not that long!), but some manufacturers use the same parts in the new models made. This extends the availability of the parts for the older models … but that is not every appliance manufacturer and in some cases you will be left out in the cold if newer models are drastically different from their former ones. So it’s totally up to you, but if the cost of the repair is REASONABLE and the cost of the appliance is more that your budget will allow …. get’er fixed!
**** JUST REMEMBER ****
A repair is a “gamble” taken …. something else with the unit “could” possibly go wrong.
Now lets talk about the “Luxury Class” of appliances …… I am talking about your Sub Zeros … WOLFs … Mieles … Thermadors… Gaggenaus… and GE Monograms and etcetera. When you have an appliance that costs a considerable amount of money and the unit can be repaired easily and cost effectively.
When dealing with a luxury appliance if its cost of repair is less than 1/3 the value of the appliance in question …. “go for it” … that’s practically a no brainer. However if :
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The parts for the appliance are overly priced and if the luxury appliance is up in years … about 15+ years old. Then I wouldn’t even try to repair the appliance.
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If the repair is only a “quick fix” and it will probably breakdown again in a short period of time. I understand ones concept for repairing the appliance … but you’re really only buying time … at some point … and more sooner than later you will need to give it up … and go and get yourself a new appliance. So don’t waste your money or your time … just get yourself a new one.
In conclusion the decision to repair an appliance versus buying a new one is enough to make one sick. We go back and forth trying to make sure the decision we make is a good one … and probably upset our spousal unit in the process … but fret not my frustrated chef …. your decision is just a blog away!
