Most of us are savvy shoppers, we’ve heard of (or at times even taken advantage of) pre and post holiday sales where you can find DVD players for $50, TV/VCRs for $89.99 or computers for $99. Let’s face it, in the fluid world of high tech gadgets, it seems if you wait long enough the price on high-end electronics will eventually dip into an affordable range. That’s why whenever my computer, printer or TV breaks I am always faced with the question: “Do I repair it or replace it?”
I was faced with this question about six months ago when after 14 years my Sony 32-inch, color TV (which I had gotten while in college) finally died. I loved that TV. It kept me company on many dateless Saturday nights. It survived six moves (two of them trans-Pacific). It served as the tool by which I learned how to cook (thanks Food Network) and was the TV my daughter watched her first Elmo tape on. Deciding whether to keep it or toss it was a major life decision. In the end, after a good deal of research and more than a few calls to TV repair shops I ended up purchasing a new set. However, in the process I learned a few tips on how to decide whether to repair or replace. Here are a few:
Diagnosing the Problem—The most common problem with televisions is with the display function—basically the screen either discolors or burns out. According to TV repair people, the display in a regular LCD flat panel is designed to last 40,000 viewing hours-for the average TV viewer that equates to about 20 years. If, for example, your TV’s picture tube burns out after your warranty expires, repairs can cost as much as a new TV.
Considering an Extended Warranty—Typically for larger electronics like televisions, stores will offer an extended warranty for about 15% of the cost of the item. I found out that on average TV repair costs run about $500—of course, if you are talking about repairing a plasma TV that price goes up substantially. If you’re paying thousands for a TV to begin with, a warranty might save you money in the long run.
Exhaust Your Options—I looked for ways to repair my TV before I bought a new one. Free repair advice is only a mouse click away. I scoured the Internet in search for TV repair tips. Generally, whatever problem you’re experiencing, odds are someone else has dealt with the same and knows how to solve it. It comes down to whether or not it is cost effective to do the repairs yourself. You can also use the Internet to find online manuals. Most TV manufacturers have websites that provide help lines and sections that can help you troubleshoot problems.
When to Replace–The overall rule of thumb (as told to me by the TV repair guy): forget about fixing a TV if the repair costs more than half the price of a new one. Sounds common sense and is easily applicable when you are dealing with an average TV like I had. However, if you have invested big bucks in a really expensive plasma TV, you want to make sure your warranty covers the worth of the TV. If it’s easily replaceable then replace it, but for the expensive plasmas, you should really get that extra warranty.
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Repair or Replace Part 2–Other Electronics