Comments on: Washing Machine Repair, Part Deux http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:21:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: nickel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-248 nickel Fri, 15 Jul 2005 22:43:35 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=108#comment-248 The one that we bought wasn't so much better as it was bigger. Since our family has grown since we bought the first one, we really can use the extra capacity. Aside from that, there aren't really any features available on a washer that would make me pay extra. If our clothes get clean, they get clean. And no, we didn't get a front-loader. While I'm aware of the advantages, I just don't like them very much. To me, they're kind of like refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom. Clever and functional, but just not my cup of tea. I guess I just can't handle change. ;) The one that we bought wasn’t so much better as it was bigger. Since our family has grown since we bought the first one, we really can use the extra capacity. Aside from that, there aren’t really any features available on a washer that would make me pay extra. If our clothes get clean, they get clean.

And no, we didn’t get a front-loader. While I’m aware of the advantages, I just don’t like them very much. To me, they’re kind of like refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom. Clever and functional, but just not my cup of tea. I guess I just can’t handle change. ;)

]]> By: Jeff http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Jeff Fri, 15 Jul 2005 22:29:30 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=108#comment-246 When the cost of repair approaches the cost of replacing, I usually replace. Something hard to avoid, however, is "replacing" a product with a better version (read, more costly). It's tempting to buy a better washing machine when you're old one dies, but you should always ask yourself if you really need a fancier one. Also, you can't really say the cost of repair was 2/3 of the replacement value, because you didn't replace it with that one, you went with a better one. In the end, I probably would have gotten the better one too, lol. Jeff www.roadtorich.com When the cost of repair approaches the cost of replacing, I usually replace. Something hard to avoid, however, is “replacing” a product with a better version (read, more costly). It’s tempting to buy a better washing machine when you’re old one dies, but you should always ask yourself if you really need a fancier one.

Also, you can’t really say the cost of repair was 2/3 of the replacement value, because you didn’t replace it with that one, you went with a better one.

In the end, I probably would have gotten the better one too, lol.

Jeff
http://www.roadtorich.com

]]> By: Daytonscott http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-245 Daytonscott Fri, 15 Jul 2005 19:25:24 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=108#comment-245 Did you get a front-loader? The potential water and energy savings would make the replacement expense go down smoother, though it's more money up front... Did you get a front-loader? The potential water and energy savings would make the replacement expense go down smoother, though it’s more money up front…

]]> By: mbhunter http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-244 mbhunter Fri, 15 Jul 2005 17:27:20 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=108#comment-244 Smart move. There's very little sense in replacing the motor; that's one of the most expensive parts to fix. If the machine is that old, odds are you can do much better with a new machine anyway. Suggestion for the future: Try diagnosing the problem yourself to save the repairman's visit. Common tools and a $30 multimeter and a troubleshooting book for major appliances should at least lead you to which part is bad -- including the motor. I've fixed my freezer, my dryer, and dishwasher this way, and I diagnosed a problem with our water heater well enough so that I knew it was worth it to call in a claim on my home buyer's warranty. Smart move. There’s very little sense in replacing the motor; that’s one of the most expensive parts to fix. If the machine is that old, odds are you can do much better with a new machine anyway.

Suggestion for the future: Try diagnosing the problem yourself to save the repairman’s visit. Common tools and a $30 multimeter and a troubleshooting book for major appliances should at least lead you to which part is bad — including the motor. I’ve fixed my freezer, my dryer, and dishwasher this way, and I diagnosed a problem with our water heater well enough so that I knew it was worth it to call in a claim on my home buyer’s warranty.

]]> By: FMF http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2005/07/15/washing-machine-repair-part-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-243 FMF Fri, 15 Jul 2005 14:16:41 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=108#comment-243 I think you made the right choice. I would have done the same thing. I think you made the right choice. I would have done the same thing.

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