Just recently, I wrote about how sometimes it makes sense to pay for an extended warranty when buying products on appliances. But what if you don’t have a warranty on your machine? Major and minor appliances can be costly to repair. When something such as a dishwasher breaks down, it can cost hundreds of dollars just to have someone look at the appliance, let alone fix it. This goes for other things around your home, too.
One time, a plumber tried to charge us $300 just to tell us that we needed a new sink. He did nothing more than come in, turn the water on and write up an estimate for that sink. Then he sent us a bill for his time and transportation, even though we lived two blocks away!
But, just like everything else, with a little know how, there are ways that you can save and enjoy a bit of frugality. Appliance repair is no exception. Here are some of the things we do as a family to save on costly appliance repair expenses.
Of course, if you are handy, you can often fix something yourself and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But what if you don’t know what the problem is? There are two ways to go about finding out frugally. You can first read the appliance manual’s trouble shooting guide. It just might tell you what you need to know. Or, you can go to the library and check out a few books to educate yourself. But, my favorite way to save is much easier than either of these two methods.
This is what you do. Simply call up an appliance supply store. Have your make and model number ready. Describe the problem to the store. Chances are pretty good that not only will they be able to tell you what to look for, but they will have the parts you need to make the repair. You might also have some luck with your local home improvement store, but a local privately own supply store that specializes in the specific appliances is probably your best bet.
Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
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