SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Whether to repair an old device or buy a new one is always a good question, but in the current economic climate, the decision-making process requires very careful thought.
Tyler Murphy of Appliance Service By Paul in Murray said both repairing and buying new have an impact on your budget.
If you want a new device, don’t throw away the old one as supply shortages can make it difficult to find a new one.
“There are certain brands that are now six months to over a year behind,” he said.
Typically, when customers request repairs for appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, or refrigerators, Murphy advises that buying a new appliance is a good option if the repair cost accounts for 50% of the cost of a new appliance. He even helps customers find new ones.
But for now, given the shortage of stock, he said, if you don’t get your device fixed you could find a new one, but it might not be what you want.
“You can’t be picky,” Murphy said.
Also, new devices cost more due to bottlenecks.
“A few years ago, I found a mid-size, top-loading washing machine for $500. I checked the other day and it cost them $700,” he said.
Murphy said customer calls at his and other stores have decreased during this period of high inflation.
He suspects that price-conscious customers in particular are putting off some repairs.
If a stove has a broken burner, a customer who doesn’t want to pay the repair cost can simply cook on the other burners and repair the broken burner later.
But delaying repairs can also result in higher costs in the long run. A repair costs an average of $150 to $350 at his workshop, much less than the price of a new unit.
Nine times out of ten, devices are repairable and require only minor repairs.
Murphy said that devices with high-tech features — such as refrigerators with TV screens — are often more expensive to repair. If this breaks, you will have to buy a new refrigerator door.
He said repairing washing machines is very valuable – especially old washing machines, which are better built than more recent models.
“You can take a washing machine that’s 15 years old and you’ll have another 10 years of it. With a new one, you might only have five to seven years,” he said.
kutv.com
https://kutv.com/news/tips-on-whether-utahns-should-repair-or-replace-their-every-day-appliances-impacting-budget-inflation-backordered-inventory-shortages
