Fix it or Nix It: A Guide to Repairing or Replacing Your Stuff

Photo by ScallopHolden.com

We live in a consumer society that profits from disposability. Manufacturers and retailers know the sooner a product breaks or becomes outdated, the sooner consumers will replace it. This "planned obsolescence" is artificially inflated through intentionally shoddy products, while consumption is stimulated through commercial bombardment.

Some products may remain functional but become obsolete due to changing styles and preferences or improvements in newer products while others may have a short life expectancy, due to intensive use.

For example, cell phones become outdated almost the moment you buy them. On average, cell phones are broken, donated, traded-in, thrown away, recycled or otherwise replaced within the first 18 months. Every year, we add 130 million cell phones to the waste stream in the U.S. Not only is that a lot of toxic trash, it's a lot of money out of our pockets.

Electronic products are particularly susceptible to planned obsolescence: It's often far more expensive to repair a toaster, blender or washing machine than to replace it -- if you can even find someone willing to perform the repair. On the other hand, a properly installed roof made of quality products can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years with proper maintenance. So how do you know whether to fix it or nix it? We offer the following guidelines to help you decide.

1. The 50-percent Rule
Conventional wisdom holds it's worth repairing a product if parts and labor cost 50 percent or less than the original price you paid. While this is a fairly good guideline, it's also important to figure in the actual replacement cost, particularly on such major items as cars, electronics, appliances and furniture. 

2. Classic or Crap
Before you decide to replace something, carefully consider whether the item you're thinking about trashing might appreciate in value over time. For example, is a well made piece of furniture likely to become an antique? Is your car a Pinto or a classic Mustang? Can you find a replacement turntable to play all those vinyl records in your basement?

3. Life Expectancy
ConsumerReports.com offers a series of year-by-year timeline recommendations based on costs for replacement and repairs and the advantages of purchasing new models for a variety of products. (A paid subscription is required to access this information). The National Association of Home Builders' "Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components" also provides detailed information on consumer-product life cycles.

4. Under Warranty
Check your owner’s manual and records. If your product is still under warranty, schedule a service call with an authorized technician. Smaller items often must be mailed back to the manufacturer or retailer, which require you call them first for authorization. Warranties vary widely but most cover parts and labor for a limited time period. 

5. DIY
Because labor accounts for more than half the cost of a typical repair, you can save big by tackling jobs yourself. Numerous online resources can help diagnose and fix common appliance ailments. Some maintain databases of owner’s manuals and provide lists of reputable parts suppliers. On the other hand, you may risk causing additional damage to yourself and the machine if you’re not the handy type. Be aware that do-it-yourself repairs often nullify warranties.

6. Quality
Well-made, older appliances may be more sturdily built and are worth the cost of repair. Those that depend on computer chips and other high-end electronics tend to be more expensive and difficult to repair. Also figure into your decision if an older appliance or electronic product is sucking up more energy and money to run than a newer model. How long it will take to recoup the cost of a new model?

7. Hidden Costs
Replacement costs include more than the price of the product. For example, you may face costly modifications if your kitchen appliances are built-in. Standard continually change, so even so-called standard-size machines may not fit into the same space as your previous model. Switching from an electric to gas range requires costly visit from the plumber and/or utility company. 

8. Plug It In
Electronic-repair businesses report nearly half of all the items people want repaired are simply suffering from faulty electrical cords, plugs, or other connection problems. Before you call a repair person, clean out air filters, check plugs, replace worn-out belts and make sure it's plugged in and electricity is flowing to that outlet.