COVID and Supply Chain Disruptions has led to Trouble finding parts for appliance repair companies

It is an understatement to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically affected our lives. The pandemic, coupled with other unexpected events, has adversely affected our day-to-day lives, from how we socialize with friends, our children going to school, and how we operate our businesses. One area profoundly affected our businesses is the disruption of the supply chain. The supply chain for the new appliances is one of the adversely affected sectors. The pandemic led to most companies cutting down the number of workers in their industries, slowing the production rate.

Disruption of Supply Chain for Appliances Repair Parts

According to the Harvard Business Review, the pandemic caused massive disruption globally to various manufacturing operations. The measures taken to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus forced the companies that manufacture appliances to slow down or close their operation. This led to a shortage of appliance repair components. Well, as we know, home appliances are a lifesaver. They make work easier for us and save us a lot of time. However, the appliances tend to break down due to wear and tear. Repair technicians come in handy when restoring the functionality of our appliance. However, due to the scarcity of parts, consumers are forced to wait for weeks or even months waiting for the shipping of parts. For instance, when a refrigerator breaks down and you have to wait for weeks, it can be frustrating since you will have no place to preserve your food, medications, and other beverages.

At Appliance Cowboy, We are Still Committed to Serving You

While the pandemic has slowed down and most manufacturing companies have resumed their normal operation, it will take time for things to normalize. The demand for these parts is still high than the supply. Be as it may, at Appliance Cowboys, we are thankful to report that we have continuously provided appliance repair for our clients despite the shortage. We have been in the business for quite a long time, and this has helped us build a good rapport with multiple appliances suppliers. Additionally, since most people work from home, home appliances work even harder. The increase in use in the machine means it increases their tendency to break down. This has increased the demand for our services, so our days are booked a little faster than before. However, amidst it all, we are committed to providing speedy service and high-quality appliance repair for all our clients.

KPRC 2 News interview with Appliance Cowboys owner Marco Ramos

Of course, you can always hire a car or use the train or bus to get to work when your car breaks down. However, when your refrigerator or Oven breaks down, it may mean that you can no longer prepare food at home. Even worse, with the current supply chain problems, you will be in for a long wait.

Repeat appliance repair delays

Courtney Bolton’s mother purchased a new whirlpool fridge for about $1,700. She called Whirlpool when it abruptly stopped operating only five months after buying it. “They claimed she needed about four parts, but none were in stock. “And they wouldn’t be able to have those parts for a long time,” Bolton explained. They asked Whirlpool to deliver a new refrigerator if that was quicker because her mother had purchased the extended warranty. Her diabetic mother requires the refrigerator, she stated. Besides the importance of having refrigerated food at home, it is critical to have a working fridge to keep her medications and food. On December 3, 2021, the Bolton family called Whirlpool when their refrigerator stopped working. According to Whirlpool, their new refrigerator was supposed to arrive on February 9, and then it changed to February 16 and finally March 14. During the waiting period, which lasted for close to four months, Courtney’s mother made do with a little refrigerator for her kitchen for storing food and medications. . According to Appliance Cowboys in Houston owner Marco Ramos, the supply chain problem led to the scarcity of parts, making it hard for small and big appliance repair companies to access them. He claims he has never seen anything like the current component scarcity in the business. He claimed that he could acquire components the same day or within 2 to 3 days at most before the epidemic. Now, the component warehouses he ordered require him to wait for weeks before delivering what he requires. Marco stated that whenever he inquired about the parts, the suppliers would report that nothing had come in and were waiting for the parts delivery.

What can customers do when they do not find appliance parts?

Ramos is struggling with a series of delays. With the appliance repair technicians’ hands tied, we asked Ramos what he tells consumers who are waiting for fridge repairs. “I urge my clients to buy a secondhand fridge roughly 10 to 15 years old,” Ramos added. Clients who wish to buy an inexpensive fridge for their home while their main fridge repairs should follow Ramos’ suggestion. According to Ramos, smaller basic used versions, which used to cost $700 to $900 when new, now cost over $1,500. So hunt for secondhand appliances on Facebook auction sites and other classified ads. Although Appliance Cowboys only sells OEM parts, Ramos claims some customers can get replacement parts online. “And at that time, we tell them, ‘well, you can buy your replacement part. “Then we say, ‘Hey, you buy your component. We are not liable if it’s broken, but we will gladly do the installation for you,merely to meet our clients halfway.” Whirlpool refused to say why it took a long time to repair Bolton’s family refrigerator, but a week after we contacted them about Bolton’s family case, they replaced the faulty refrigerator with a new one. According to Ramos, approximately half of the 40 clients his business sees each week will have to wait for components.