Why Do Modern Appliances Need Appliance Cowboy Repair So Often?

Household appliances that used the last “forever” now seem to have a much shorter life. Consumers report this on small handheld appliances as well as on major ones. When a $30 mixer stops working two days after the warranty expires, you are likely to replace it, but when a $1,000 refrigerator dies, you are likely to call for Houston appliance repair.

The Strategy of Planned Obsolescence in a Competitive World

The lifespan of appliances is often attributed to “planned obsolescence,” a practice where manufacturers prioritize replacements over repairs to boost sales. Although many companies prioritize reliability, they do benefit from product replacements. However, attributing declining quality solely to corporate greed oversimplifies the situation. There are deeper complexities at play in this narrative.

Companies have often found themselves making difficult choices to meet the ever-growing demand for low prices and stay competitive with products made offshore. They have frequently opted for the most economical production methods and materials to achieve these lower costs, sometimes sacrificing quality. In some cases, this may result in companies cutting corners in design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing, all to keep cheaper products on the shelves and maintain their position in the market. However, it is important to note that while these cost-saving measures may provide short-term benefits, they can potentially have long-term implications for both the company and the consumer.

To some extent, consumers are to blame for the decline in quality. Modern shoppers love bargains. Regardless of their income level, they expect low prices and shop online at brick-and-mortar discount stores for the lowest price. Most people are unwilling to pay for quality beyond a certain point. Often, a product of lesser quality will do the job just fine.

Increased Features, Elevated Repair Expenses

Even as quality has gone down, manufacturers try to meet customer demand for more features and functions. Whether you are talking about refrigerators, dishwashers, or washers and dryers, many appliances have more features and cycles, which can cause trouble if they break down. Companies have built customer demand for features such as automatic icemakers and beverage delivery systems on refrigerators or more extensive temperature and water level cycles from washers and dishwashers, and consumers enjoy these extras (especially if the price is right.)

Ironically, regardless of what happens with appliance prices, the repair cost gets higher. Repair shops that fairly pay their technicians for their skills often charge service fees for someone to come out and diagnose a product. Fixing fancy electronic features is time-consuming and requires repair personnel with extensive training and skills. When the cost of parts and additional labor comes into play, a customer may be charged a couple of hundred dollars for a repair visit, which causes some people to opt for a new product, rather than repairing an old one.

Finding Reliable Appliances to Minimize Repairs

The replacement cost can be overwhelming for customers when it comes to major appliances, such as stoves or refrigerators. It is simply not feasible to purchase a new appliance every time a repair is needed. For consumers looking to avoid these high repair costs, a smarter approach is to prioritize reliability over price when shopping for appliances. By doing so, they can ensure they invest in durable and long-lasting appliances that will serve them well in the long run. Making informed decisions based on reliability can save customers money and the hassle of constantly dealing with repairs or replacements.

Every type of appliance has some top-of-the-line brands priced outside most consumers’ realm. But quality does not necessarily mean buying the most expensive product on the showroom floor. What it does mean, though, is looking for signs of reliability. How can you do this?

Look for ratings in services such as Consumer Reports, which tests models of products made by various manufacturers.
Read consumer reviews on sites such as Yelp or on websites such as Amazon.com.
Talk to a reliable appliance repair service. Most repair companies who deal with various brands have a good sense of which are reliable, based on their track record in fixing them.