About Me 0068: appliance repair services

Showing posts with label appliance repair services. Show all posts

Friday, July 20, 2012

Home Appliance Repair Inspiration That Won't Strip Your Sanity

Most consumers would assume that when buying an appliance, or any product, the item should be manufactured well enough that the purchase of a protection agreement should not be necessary. Unfortunately, since we do not live in a perfect world, you may regret your decision not to purchase this item.

I have been in the appliance business for three years. During this time, I have come to believe more and more in protection agreements. So many things can affect an appliance, some of which has nothing to do with its manufacturing. Because not all protection agreements are alike, it is important that you check into the terms of an agreement when you start to shop for your appliances. You should do this even if you do not believe in them. Depending on how honest and knowledgeable your sales associate is, it can make a difference later if something happens to your machine.

One thing that affects the reliability of an appliance is the condition of the company producing the appliance. If a company is going through changes, the quality of an appliance can change. The brand name that was so reliable is no longer. If your salesperson is on the ball, they will be able to let you know of product that may not be as reliable as what you thought. Then you have two choices - avoid that product or protect yourself. Having to deal with the hassle of recalls and class action law suits can often be avoided if you have an agreement. One of my customer's put it quite simply, " It doesn't matter what brand you buy or how much you spend. If the guy on the line is drunk the day they make your appliance, it won't work!" You can substitute "drunk" for several other life altering events: the CEO runs away with the company's money, the company is moving to a country with cheaper labor, family problems, immigrant issues.

In my opinion, name brand manufacturers have strong and weak points in their selection. One may have excellent washers, dryers, and refrigerators, but be weak in cooking and cleanup. Other companies have products that I would never purchase. In our store, where we are required to carry some of these dreadful brands, we dust them, not sell them. Again, if your salesperson is good, they will know what kind of problems customers have experienced that have required service.

Another thing to consider is availability of parts. A particular brand that is now on the market has a very lengthy wait for certain parts. A protection agreement helps if the part is not available, because they may just replace your appliance.

The original manufacturer's warranty is very limited, and is generally for only one year, with longer times for individual parts. For instance, compressor warranties on most brands have changed from five years to one year for defective manufacturing. Make sure you know exactly what is and is not covered by manufacturer's warranties, as well as any no-lemon protection through the store. Labor and parts may be covered for defective manufacturing, but not service calls. Food loss is not covered, nor is damage from power fluctuations. By fluctuations, I am not referring to lightening, but everyday changes in the level of electricity going in and out of your home.

I find that what a lot of people don't understand is that appliances are just not made like they used to be. This is the most noticeable with customers that have an appliance that has lasted 30-40 years. Unfortunately, this is unheard of now. I have had only one appliance to sell that was supposed to last 24 years, and it lasted only six months before there was a class action against this product. Metal drawers in refrigerators are no longer available. Plastic is the name of the game - and so very breakable. Again, another reason to protect yourself. I think that a lot of it is because we, as a society, get bored too quickly. I had one customer that purchases new appliances every three years because she gets bored with them! So, why would we make anything that lasts forever?

When buying appliances, really listen to the salesperson. Ask yourself if they sound excited by the products they are selling. Do they give you only bits and pieces of information, or do they try to teach you so that you feel comfortable making a decision? Unfortunately, sometimes whether a salesperson is commissioned or not, can make a difference in the time they spend with you. Do they push you into a sale that your gut disagrees with? Do they sound like they believe in their product and the need for agreements on certain products?

Before discussing protection agreements, I make sure my customer understands why we recommend them for certain items. No, I do not recommend them for all, mostly based on the cost of the item. But in today's hard times, it is still easier to protect yourself than to have to pay for expensive repairs or for replacement of an item, even like a tabletop microwave.

For instance, if my customer is purchasing all new appliances for their kitchen and laundry, these are the appliances we recommend in the order of importance:

1. Refrigeration - as mentioned before, the compressor warranties on most brands are only for one year for defective manufacturing. Brownouts affect refrigerators more than surges. Again, by surges, I do not mean lightning strikes. I have a suburb just one mile from my store that experiences fluctuations all day long. I replace more appliances from this area for this reason than any other. In my own neighborhood, my transformers blow on my street at least twice a year, and every time I turn around, I am having to reset my clocks. Also, most people don't realize that certain ice makers cannot have just the broken part replaced. Depending on the style of door, they may have to replace the whole door!

2. Any appliance with a circuit board. These boards are found in 95 percent of all appliances. The unit may only have one, or may have up to three. They can range from around $200 for small boards, like in dishwashers, to well over $700 for fancier ones, like ones for weather stations. If damage is caused by a fluctuation, it will not be covered by the manufacturer. Believe me, they can tell if the board is defective or damaged from a surge.

3. Front loading laundry units - the nicer units have multiple circuit boards. Also, those big massive doors can still be damaged by an over exuberant child playing Tarzan on the door. We had to have a closeout model repaired two years ago. Final cost: over $500!

4. Laundry - if you cannot get it on both items, get protection on the washer. They have more moving parts, and also are stressed the most, especially if the user over-stuffs the drum, which strains the agitator. Many new washers no longer have belts that can be replaced. They are direct drive, which is more expensive to repair. My neighbor had four boys in sports, and she washed night and day. She went through three washers in nine years! I would rather buy a less expensive warranty than pay for three new machines!

5. There are certain brands that are not as reliable as they used to be. Some have been taken over by a more reliable company, so my associates feel more comfortable selling the new models.

6. Installed items - protection agreements may include free installs for replaced defective appliances, such as dishwashers and micro-hoods. One particular brand, because of how well it is made, may need double labor to fix if it does break down. Some agreements protect you from double labor charges.

7. The fancier the item, the more high-tech, the more you need the agreement. Plain and simple.

So, when shopping for appliances, ask about the warranties. Here is a list of questions to ask:

1. Does the warranty provide free maintenance checks with free repair or replacement of parts? Have them provide you with a list of costs for certain parts. You will be amazed! The idea of this is to keep the appliance in the same condition as you purchased it in order to avoid the inconvenience of a service call.

2. Does the warranty have free unlimited service calls? These service call fees can range anywhere between $50 - $80 just to ring your doorbell.

3. Does the warranty change the defective manufacturing warranty to a longer time? What about uncovered parts and cosmetic issues?

4. Does the warranty cover power fluctuations? A lot of people think that a surge protector is the answer. What they don't realize is the a SP only covers so many surges. Will the company still be in business if you have to make a claim? Did you keep the original package and receipt? I doubt it!

6. Does the warranty cover replacement of items that cannot be fixed, or does not have a part available?

7. What about food loss? Use of a rental until item is repaired or replaced - can be a real issue with refrigerators.

8. Does the warranty transfer at no cost?

9. Does the no-lemon warranty change to a longer time?

Knowledge is power. The more you know before you shop, the better you will feel about your purchase. Again, in a perfect world, protection agreements should not be necessary. But in today's world, it is. You take your car in for a tune up without thinking twice. Some appliances you use just as much! You buy insurance for yourself and your home. Maybe you will be lucky enough not to need it. But if you do, won't you be thankful. For a lot of people, unexpected costs hit the budget harder than protection agreements. That is what they protect you from - the unexpected.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Improve Your Space With These Simple Home Appliance Repair Tips

Would you like to make your home more energy efficient? While heating and cooling systems take a toll on a home's energy resources, replacing other energy zapping appliances, such as the refrigerator, reduces your home's environmental impact as well. But, which refrigerator brand and model should you choose for a replacement? With so many on the market, how can the average consumer select the best, energy efficient model that suits the individual's taste and budget? The government's Energy Star program is designed to help consumers and businesses make informed purchasing decisions about energy efficient products and appliances-and offers a range of quality, tasteful options.

What is the Energy Star Program? The government's Energy Star program is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help educate consumers and businesses about energy efficient home and office products available for purchase. The Energy Star program uses strict guidelines, developed by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, to identify the most energy efficient products in a range of categories from office electronics to kitchen appliances-helping consumers locate the best products to suit both personal needs and lessen household or business environmental impact.

Why is the refrigerator such an energy inefficient appliance? According to Energy Star resources, the refrigerator tops all other household appliances in energy usage--using more electricity than any other household appliance. Of course, that is understandable since the refrigerators must run throughout the entire day to maintain proper temperature.

Why should you replace your old refrigerator with an Energy Star model? Older model refrigerators were not designed to be as well insulated or energy efficient as modern refrigerators earning the Energy Star certification. Choosing an Energy Star qualified refrigerator gives consumers a model that is guaranteed to be at least 20 percent more energy efficient than even other modern refrigerator designs without the Energy Star seal. Upgrading an older refrigerator to an Energy Star qualified model not only saves consumers money on monthly electric bills, but reduces the household environmental impact by making one simple appliance change.

Which Energy Star qualified refrigerators should you consider? General Electric (GE), Amana, Kenmore, and Frigidaire make top rated Energy Star qualified refrigerators in both energy efficiency and customer satisfaction-with many basic, qualified models priced under $1000. While finding the most energy efficient model is important-choosing the correct size and style for your family is important as well. A 10-25% energy savings can be obtained by choosing a refrigerator with a top mounted freezer -rather than a bottom or side by side style. Refrigerators under 20 cubic feet have been shown to be the most energy efficient, making it important to select the smallest acceptable refrigerator to suit your needs. Skipping the automatic water dispensers and ice making features saves additional energy as well.

While refrigerators are modern conveniences that most consumers are not willing to give up, consumers and business owners can take advantage of the Energy Star program resources to find the most economical and environmentally friendly appliances available. Is it time to upgrade your outdated, energy wasting refrigerator?

Sources:
About Energy Star
Refrigerators for Consumers

Thursday, December 15, 2011

the reason you should certainly employ the service of a skilled appliance repair service Appliance Repair Chicago

Tips on hiring an appliance repair service

1. For almost any choices involving picking a major appliance repair company, find tips first of a variety of appliance repair companies through people whose opinions an individual have confidence in, similar to ones relations along with pals that have got experiences with getting appliance repair products and services prior to
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2. Look at if it's much more cost-effective to help purely unhealthy the applying for a brand-new just one in comparison with to obtain the idea repaired by the skilled. Cost-free estimates is also distributed by many appliance repair chicago
on the net or over the device. This way, you won't ought to book an actual support require a pc professional immediately and find priced excessively high charges for any easy repair you could actually do yourself. Here, it is possible to pre-judge regardless of whether it is best to restoration or even substitute your flawed machine
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3. Another issue that can assist you to take into consideration if you must retain the services of an experienced appliance repair tech may be the typical endurance of the product. Execute a very little investigating online to uncover should your equipment can be also old and when repairing it is going to try to be some sort of squander connected with money as well as occasion
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4. In certain old models of dishwashers, washing machines, along with refrigerators, they will are apt to have an improved excellent when it comes to their particular inside elements when compared to existing low-end products. Globalization has lead to using certain tiny elements of many appliances to get stated in large in numerous areas on the planet; this particular contributed to the generation regarding affordable, relatively low-quality central pieces. There are several excellent and very resilient old-model appliances that might be well worth fixing
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5. An effective take action regarding unplugging then inserting returning an electric product can sometimes apparent the problem regarding minor electric does not work properly upon washers
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6. Prior to deciding to locate a specialist appliance repair technician in the future over along with carry out the restore for you personally, you should check the major search engines intended for appliance repair manuals which may describe the situation and current frequent do-it-yourself corrects. On the web equipment instructions usually are cost-free and might provide you total details on the best way to accomplish small maintenance tasks with regard to distinct types of home appliances
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7. For those who have the knack for this and also would prefer to complete technical household maintenance yourself, you have to perform like a professional as well as put on safety glasses and steel-toed protection shoes or boots. It is additionally common sense to help unplug the applying primary before starting unscrewing something. Sharpened sides are mixed together interior dryers and that means you need to be careful whenever taking care of just one
.

Why you should hire a professional appliance repair service?

Getting a professional to execute a appliance repair can keep anyone by wasting your efforts trying out the processes of the residence machine you do not understand. Wanting to remedy it yourself might even give you more damage in your machine. You will discover a great number of affordable appliance repair solutions getting marketed on the web or maybe around the phonebook. You'll be able to constantly make contact with the most appropriate one who is going to repair whichever malfunctioning equipment you could have at your home
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Therefore property appliance items which can be more cost-effective to repair as compared to to change. Microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dryers, ovens, and so forth. enhance your daily lifestyles; most of us often also find comfort and ease by employing these. Whenever they obtain damaged or maybe stop working appropriately, removing these people immediately in favor of a brand new one particular might not be in financial terms sound. You will find a great number of conditions wherein the malfunctioning is extremely moderate, and only several modest adjustments or basic maintenance may make an item possibly be competitive with brand new once again
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Professionals that provide residence repair solutions can be found on the internet or even about the phonebook, and many are willing to appear over or maybe speak with an individual around the cell phone to give no cost quotations with achievable prices regarding repairing a clear residence kitchen appliance
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What to look for when hiring a professional appliance repair service?

Inquire from family and also close friends 1st for advice. The individuals as their opinions anyone rely on tend to be the most beneficial supply of data with regards to other household appliance repair providers they've experimented with previous to.

If you work with both an online appliance repair forum or even the on the internet advertisement of an commercial appliance repair business, then you definitely need to make sure that it claims “licensed in addition to insured” so that you can be sure you are having the companies from a specialist who has been subject to some sort of elegant appliance repair training. The particular company’s condition license also needs to be one more thing you need to beware of. The licence number has to be valid plus the insurance plan must be current. Moreover, you will need to research precisely long in which appliance repair firm has been around company as well as where places this functions; a company having a substantial amount of neighborhood heritage tends to be additional reputable given it will go through certain lengths to help keep its expert status on the market. Another important thing never to forget about even though seeking a appliance repair service is actually set up organization is usually outlined with main web sites such as the orange web pages, Yahoo and google routes, Askjeeve regional, etc. This must be detailed someplace; an exceptionally imprecise one particular could just be a good unsophisticated start-up or possibly a con. You must also take into account that appliance repair chicago
which publicize to a great extent may perhaps charge a whole lot above individuals modest nearby people in which really rely a lesser amount of on advertising and marketing however major on the word-of-mouth distributed with their good repair providers.

When you have ultimately selected that appliance repair company to look together with, you could possibly make inquiries pointedly regarding the identify with the technical assistant who'll become providing you as well as rapidly consult in order to get in touch with them primary. Here, it is recommended which you inquire the particular specialist just how long he / she has become correcting home equipment. Required technician the main points of the problem. Present every one of the indicators therefore that they can certainly think about feasible advantages of the appliance fail to function properly. The actual pc professional probably will offer many possible will cause for the appliance issues also before he / she has the opportunity to arrive around to your dwelling. Lastly, obtain the estimate in the repair price after getting defined the condition. A professional pc professional is obviously prepared to provide you with 1

It’s crucial that you remember that if you are seeking a great appliance repair business, make sure you verify their status. Discover what additional earlier customers have to state regarding them. Visit: www.aaaasc.com for more information concerning tracking down a reputable appliance repair in Chicago or perhaps lookup by using appliance repair Chicago. Once you've the website, have a look at their service areas to determine if they have coverage where your house is located. Next phone the quantity for your location as well as routine a scheduled appointment.