Comments on: Repair or Replace? http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:45:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: ThiNg http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-462298 ThiNg Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:43:42 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-462298 I think it is important to stress the repair option with second hand or used parts. When something big breaks on my car, I can usually get a second hand part or used part from the auto-wreckers. The same applies to electronics and other items, if you take the time to learn. The part you buy from the repair shop is normally new and they mark up the cost of the part. If my cordless phone battery goes, I would go to a flea market/garage sale etc. and grab a phone from there and take the battery out. Sometimes you can get a cheap $5 replacement with less features, but with the same part you need. One time I picked up a pc mouse for 50 cents at a garage sale and replaced the bent pins on the end of my $75 mouse. Use the internet to learn how to replace specific items. A lot of them are easier then you think!! I think it is important to stress the repair option with second hand or used parts. When something big breaks on my car, I can usually get a second hand part or used part from the auto-wreckers. The same applies to electronics and other items, if you take the time to learn. The part you buy from the repair shop is normally new and they mark up the cost of the part. If my cordless phone battery goes, I would go to a flea market/garage sale etc. and grab a phone from there and take the battery out. Sometimes you can get a cheap $5 replacement with less features, but with the same part you need.

One time I picked up a pc mouse for 50 cents at a garage sale and replaced the bent pins on the end of my $75 mouse.

Use the internet to learn how to replace specific items. A lot of them are easier then you think!!

]]> By: Two Pennies Earned http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-461751 Two Pennies Earned Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:32:25 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-461751 I second the eBay option. When my cell phone battery stopped holding a decent charge, the cost to buy a new one through Motorola would have been $30 plus shipping and tax. Instead, I ordered one on eBay, and it cost me $7, including shipping, and there was no tax. And the cheap battery works just fine! I second the eBay option. When my cell phone battery stopped holding a decent charge, the cost to buy a new one through Motorola would have been $30 plus shipping and tax. Instead, I ordered one on eBay, and it cost me $7, including shipping, and there was no tax. And the cheap battery works just fine!

]]> By: Lee http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-460053 Lee Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:18:12 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-460053 Ran into the same problem a while back. I have 4 cordless phones from different manufacturers but they all use a battery pack with 3 AA nicad cells. Of course the connector that plugs into the phone is different for each battery pack. So what did I do? Went on ebay and found a lot of 5 Nicad AA battery packs that were "new" overstock or store returns. Each pack had a different type connector on the end of the wire and none of them were the same as what my phones had. I think I paid about $8 for the lot including shipping. When I got them they were all like new still in the original packaging. I cut the shrink wrap off the old bad battery pack and unsoldered the red and black wires from the tabs. I did the same thing to the new battery pack. Then I soldered the connector from the old pack onto the tabs on the new pack. I wrapped the battery pack with clear packing tape and installed it in the phone. Works like a champ! Ran into the same problem a while back. I have 4 cordless phones from different manufacturers but they all use a battery pack with 3 AA nicad cells. Of course the connector that plugs into the phone is different for each battery pack. So what did I do? Went on ebay and found a lot of 5 Nicad AA battery packs that were “new” overstock or store returns. Each pack had a different type connector on the end of the wire and none of them were the same as what my phones had. I think I paid about $8 for the lot including shipping. When I got them they were all like new still in the original packaging. I cut the shrink wrap off the old bad battery pack and unsoldered the red and black wires from the tabs. I did the same thing to the new battery pack. Then I soldered the connector from the old pack onto the tabs on the new pack. I wrapped the battery pack with clear packing tape and installed it in the phone. Works like a champ!

]]> By: Aya @ Thrive http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-459958 Aya @ Thrive Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:39:24 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-459958 Coincidentally, I've been contemplating if I should get new batteries for my cordless for years because I've been doing fine with my other phone. I guess it's not a good idea. Then again, if I've made it all these years without the battery replacement, I think that's my answer. Coincidentally, I’ve been contemplating if I should get new batteries for my cordless for years because I’ve been doing fine with my other phone. I guess it’s not a good idea. Then again, if I’ve made it all these years without the battery replacement, I think that’s my answer.

]]> By: April http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-459861 April Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:10:06 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-459861 We live in a disposible world... We live in a disposible world…

]]> By: kristine http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/10/23/103136_repair-or-replace.html/comment-page-1#comment-459842 kristine Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:44:50 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/?p=3136#comment-459842 I just went through the same problem with my cordless phones. I found replacement batteries for 1/2 price through Ebay. I couldn't justify throwing away all of that plastic and electronic parts. I just went through the same problem with my cordless phones. I found replacement batteries for 1/2 price through Ebay. I couldn’t justify throwing away all of that plastic and electronic parts.

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