A very common fear for most people who have an appliance break down is, “is it even worth having it repaired?”. We have been so used to living in a “throw away” society, that this is a very valid concern to have! However, times are changing, companies are starting to understand the environmental impact of their cheap, consumable habits and are starting to swing back around to the other direction again. That being said, there are still large numbers of cheaper brands being manufactured that can cost more to get repaired than it would cost to buy a new machine. We decided that we would help you weigh up whether it is worth having your machine repaired.
COST
Understandably, the biggest concern for most people when it comes to making a decision about getting their appliances repaired is cost! There is no “one size fits all” answer to this one as there are a number of factors to consider when making a cost based decision.
1. Is your machine still in warranty or extended warranty?
If the answer is “yes”, then it is definitely worth your while having your machine repaired as it won’t cost you anything!
2. Are you registered with Home Assist
Again, if the answer is “yes”, it is definitely worth your while having our technicians assess your machine to find out exactly what is wrong and what components will need replacing. Because Home Assist cover the costs of labour, you can then get a quote on the parts required and weigh up whether you want to proceed with the repair without loosing any money on the cost of a callout.
3. How old is the machine?
Again, having an old machine doesn’t instantly mean that you should have it replaced. There will still be individual preferences to consider. There have been instances when customers have decided to have their 25 year old washing machines repaired because they have been reliable throughout their 25 years, are easy to use, and do the job well! In these instances, we also need to check that parts are still available as parts can become more scares as machines age. However, we have performed numerous repairs to old machines successfully and made customers very happy to be able to continue using their trusty, reliable machine.
However, there is the flip-side to this. You might want to consider the fact that if your machine is getting on in age, more and more elements might start to fail. This is particularly important to note if your appliance is computerised. Consider the fact that if you purchase a new machine, you will also get the standard two years manufacturers warranty, and the option to add extended warranty as well. With age, parts also become less available, so a repair may not always be possible.
4. How much is your machine worth?
Please note that we are not saying that cheaper brands are bad, or that there is anything wrong with buying cheaper appliances. There are just some instances that it might not be worth getting these appliances repaired. When considering getting your machine repaired, keep in mind the callout or workshop fee to have your machine assessed, as well as the additional cost for parts and extra labour to fit those parts. A lot of the time, parts are quite reasonably priced. However, depending on the fault and the brand of your machine, sometimes the cost of parts can add up quite quickly. The main thing to consider if your machine didn’t cost a lot to purchase is the fact that there will always be a callout or workshop fee to assess your machine without factoring in the cost of parts and additional labour. You can see a list of our prices here: https://www.a2zapplianceservicing.com.au/faq/
If you have spent quite a bit of $$ to purchase your machine, the cost of repair is more likely going to be a viable option for you. A general rule of thumb is that if a repair is going to cost more than 50% of what the machine is worth to buy brand new, it isn’t worth repairing.
5. Could it be a DIY job?
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ELECTRICAL WORK MUST BE PERFORMED BY A LICENCED TECHNICIAN BY LAW. However, there are often times that a non-electrical component will need replacing, and if you are a bit of a handy-man or woman, this could be your chance to save some $$ on labour. If you need a new handle, detergent drawer, hinge, shelf, etc, you may decide to tackle the task yourself. We are always happy to provide quotes for parts only.
When in doubt, it is a good idea to get a quote to repair and weigh it up against the cost of a new machine. Our technicians are authorised repairers for all white goods companies and will also be able to give you expert advice on a machine to machine basis.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Now more than ever, it is important to consider our impact on the environment with every decision that we make. In 2015, the total amount of electrical waste was 3,562,000 tonnes! Also consider the fact that majority of that waste contains materials and chemicals that are harmful to the environment. With that being said, there will come a time that every appliance will reach the end of its life and need replacing. When the time comes, look for a recycling company that will take your electrical appliances off your hands, or advertise them on your local page as “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Often there are people who will use old fridges for storage, or other electrical appliances for upcycling metal.
If you are still unsure, we are always available to have a chat and help point you in the right direction. Sometimes there can even be a very simple solution to your appliance problem that we can even resolve over the phone. At the end of the day, only you can decide whether to repair or replace, but hopefully there will be some answers in this article to help you make your decision.