Creative Consumer: Time to Fix or Trash Your Appliances?

Oct. 29 2007 — -- I got some new appliances for my kitchen this week. Woo hoo! When we bought our house a couple of years ago, one of the less-than-appealing aspects was the collection of 1980s-era kitchen appliances. They were ugly and didn't work well either. But the darn things just would not fail altogether. So I kept wondering, should I take them to the repair shop or the junkyard?

I finally got my act together to research a reputable appliance repair firm, and when I told the company my address, I got lucky. Turns out the previous owner had also used this company and I was able to find out that they had worked on the oven multiple times. That was all the excuse I needed. And then I needed a dishwasher and microwave to match, right?

Whether to fix it or trash it is a tough call. The first step is to check your warranty. Many household appliances have long-term manufacturer's warranties. Next, get an estimate. If the repair cost is 50 percent or more of the price of replacement, you should scrap it.

If the repair cost is 50 percent or less, ask yourself some questions. What kind of shape is the appliance in? If it's already been fixed several times like my oven, it may not be worth another overhaul. Do newer models offer vastly improved features? For example, new refrigerators use less energy than old ones. You may be able to recoup part of the cost of replacement that way.

Consider whether the appliance is unique. If it fits into an odd space or it's an unusual color, it may be too expensive and difficult to replace. Finally, figure out how old the appliance is. Over the years, experts have figured out the average life of most household appliances.

Don't just open up the phone book and get an estimate from the company with the biggest ad. Ask friends and family for referrals and check out the companies with the better business bureau and your county or state consumer protection office. Keep in mind, in some states, appliance repair companies have to be licensed. If you don't have a solid referral, plan on getting more than one repair estimate on expensive appliances.