When to Fix It? When to Scrap It?

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I just fixed a 10 year old dryer for $178.00. The way I figure, it was about $400 (including sales tax) for a new end bottom of the line gas dryer, same capacity and all. It was either that or run in an electric line for a cheaper electric one.

But I will admit there does come a point where you have to scrap something - a car, an appliance, a piece of furniture and buy new.

Anybody have a hard and fast rule they use? 50% of replacement cost?

[disneysteve]

Anybody have a hard and fast rule they use? 50% of replacement cost?

We've run into that same conundrum a few times - with our washer, our dishwasher, our cars, etc. Can't say I've got a firm rule. Part of what makes that determination is the overall condition of the item in question. I don't mind spending $200 to fix something if I think it will last once the repair is made. On the other hand, if I have reason to suspect that repair could be the first of many, I'm more likely to scrap the item and start anew. The age of the item matters, too. Most items have a generally expected useful life. For my Toyota, I fully expect to get 150,000 miles out of it. So I'd gladly make a $2,000 repair if it has 90K miles but might not if it had 145K.

Personally, I wouldn't have spent the $178 to fix a 10-year-old dryer that I could replace for $400. In fact, we encountered that one just last year and went for the new dryer.

As a side bonus, the new dryer is faster, quieter and more energy efficient than the old one.

[PRICEPLUS]

I guess youhave to look at the overall money picture. When my washing machine went I had to but a new one. I told my wife to replace the dryer as well even though the old one was still working. Why?

We got reduced prices for buying both machines. We got a rebate for several hundred dollars worth of laundry detergent. The old dryer was over 10 years old. The new dryer is more energy efficient and handles lager loads.

My thinking was that what I was gaining was better than what I had and would soon have to replace. So I guess I would not have repaired for 178 unless I had no other option. That is my .02 cents!

[crabbypatty]

IMO computers aren't worth it to fix them, same for printers. Washer/dryer probably not worth it to fix. I think the service call alone for many repairs is 150.

Cars....we've had this discussion. DH insisted on putting 1800 worth of repairs into an old truck. More kept breaking and we gave it away to a friend a year later. Based on that experience I lean toward replacement.

Luckily DH can fix lots of things himself. He's a regular Mr. fix-it.

So we don't have any hard and fast rule of repar/replace. But usually if DH can't fix it, it makes more sense to replace.

[Scanner]

Well. . .I can respect the fact I may have made a wrong decision - I was on the fence about it. It was $60 for the service call/diagnosis and then they applied credit towards the final repair.

So. . .I was in for $60.00 unless I just didn't want to diagnose it and just throw it out or sell it for scrap metal.

I actually think these decisions are more important than the "I buy rice in bulk to save a few pennies" decisions when it comes to frugality. It's more big picture. (IMHO)

Which is why I opened the dicussion up.

I figure the strategy is to "buy some time" - get 2 years out of both the appliances and then sell the set together while it's working in the local "Bargain Box." I figure there's always a market for used appliances and I could sell 12 year old W/D set for $75-200 and then use that for partial payment of a new set.

As it stood, I couldn't sell it at all.

Plus, I hate shopping altogether. Why can't things just last forever?

As far as computers, I actually had my laptop computer's hard drive replaced for $300.00 but I may actually be an exception to the rule because I only use it for word processing, some billing, PowerPoint 2003 presentations, and internet. I bought my Dell in 2001 and here it is - 2007. TOTAL INVESTED: $1250 + $300 repair over 6 years. And other than it being a little heavy, I love my Dell. But yes, I get the Dell flyers and occasionally lust for new one.

(a shelf fell on my Dell Inspiron 2500 and there's a big indentation in the keyboard but it still works, LOL @ myself.)

I know I am getting close to scrapping it though, LOL.

[JanH]

Well. . .I can respect the fact I may have made a wrong decision - I was on the fence about it. It was $60 for the service call/diagnosis and then they applied credit towards the final repair.
.

It could have gone either way. I didn't think about the fact that new ones are more energy efficient. But my dryer has lasted 25 years. Your repair may last a few more years.

[disneysteve]

It was $60 for the service call/diagnosis and then they applied credit towards the final repair.

So. . .I was in for $60.00 unless I just didn't want to diagnose it and just throw it out or sell it for scrap metal.

When our washer broke a few years ago, we had the service guy come out to diagnose it. Once we had committed the $60, we felt obligated to fix it and we did. When the dryer broke last year, we decided not to call for service so that we didn't get stuck that way again. We just figured the $60 we would have spent for the service call went toward the new dryer.

I wish the service calls weren't so darn expensive. It would have been nice to find out what the repair actually would have cost without committing the $60 upfront.

[nanamom]

When my dryer broke I stopped using one. I now hang all our clothes. It depends on what it is if I will fix or scrap. When my sewing machine dies I replaced it because i sew alot and have ot have one. It isn't a luxury. However I replaced it with a low end machine with few "fancy" capabilities because that is what i can afford. I expect it to last 30 or so years so am happy. I have wondered lately what i will do if the washer breaks down. Smaller appliances I usually junk and do without or find one in a garage sale. Which by the way is where I originally bought th edryer that broke (for about 35 $.)

[Ima saver]

If I have had the appliance for 10 years or more, I just scrap it out and get a new one. Since all my appliances are 11 years old, I am expecting something to go soon.

[PrincessPerky]

I don't have a hard and fast rule, but to save the service fee, err well my husband googles the problem and tries to figure it out himself.

With our washer last year, we discovered the drum was no longer connected (like it fell on the floor), and the parts to replace weren't available (major welding type stuff needed). So we got a new one. With our dryer he discovered the probable cause was an expensive route (bout 200) and chose to go new(400) for energy efficiency and 7 more years of no repair (7 seems to be the running time for newer models..if you have one older than 14 years you are prolly good for up to 30 total, if newer than 7, at least in our family 8 is the max)

In general I figure if the repairs will cost more than a new one in less than the time a new one will last, I want new. But that is not very environmental of me......but then again I have only had a crock pot-which was never replaced= and the aforementioned washer and dryer break on me.....)

[kealina]

As far as computers, I actually had my laptop computer's hard drive replaced for $300.00 but I may actually be an exception to the rule because I only use it for word processing, some billing, PowerPoint 2003 presentations, and internet. I bought my Dell in 2001 and here it is - 2007. TOTAL INVESTED: $1250 + $300 repair over 6 years. And other than it being a little heavy, I love my Dell. But yes, I get the Dell flyers and occasionally lust for new one.

(a shelf fell on my Dell Inspiron 2500 and there's a big indentation in the keyboard but it still works, LOL @ myself.)

I know I am getting close to scrapping it though, LOL.

lol.. tell me about it... my dell laptop is from 2000 or maybe 2001 too and it's still running... we've replaced the hard drive twice (thanks to my handy DH) for about $100 each time and it's still running even tho i know we'll have to scrap it sooner or later too... like you, i don't do tons of stuff on my computer so that helps...
best of all, it was free... someone gave it to my uncle and he already had 2 extra ones so he gave it to me when my desktop died...

[cheapdoggy]

I was in the same boat this week with our dryer. Luckily I can do a lot of repairs myself so no service call. Replaced the igniter and rollers at the back and weld a piece back onto the nozzle and we're set until the next time. New appliances break too. Then what? Dryers are actually pretty simple things. I looked into buying a new one but $60 in parts vs $400 kind of decided it (our dryer is at least fifteen years old) The washer I replaced when the motor burnt out (too expensive).

[vole]

I just fixed a 10 year old dryer for $178.00. The way I figure, it was about $400 (including sales tax) for a new end bottom of the line gas dryer, same capacity and all. cost?

My costs were about the same as yours but my dryer was 20 years old. The motor went bad and when I went for the replacement is was going to be about $150.

I went for the new dryer just because the expensive control panel had a good chance to break.

Depends what breaks on the appliance and the age. There's not too much to break with a dryer, so if it were 10 years old I'd fix it up to at least 50% of the cost. Even then I might fix it.

Electronics are different. If it's more than a couple of years old and out of warranty throw it out. The new models have improvements that make the old one obsolete. Repairs on electronics are often disproportionately expensive compared to the new price.

[Bimmer]

Also consider home value, especially if you plan to move in the next few years. You might take your washer/dryer with you, so you might want a nice, newer set (who wants to take the old 10+ year unit with them?).

A dishwasher, well, that will probably not move with you, but updated kitchens are desirable and often recoup a healthy percentage of their cost in a home sale.

[SacredFaerie]

IMO computers aren't worth it to fix them, same for printers. Washer/dryer probably not worth it to fix. I think the service call alone for many repairs is 150.

Cars....we've had this discussion. DH insisted on putting 1800 worth of repairs into an old truck. More kept breaking and we gave it away to a friend a year later. Based on that experience I lean toward replacement.

Luckily DH can fix lots of things himself. He's a regular Mr. fix-it.

So we don't have any hard and fast rule of repar/replace. But usually if DH can't fix it, it makes more sense to replace.

This whole post is really handy given my recent dilemma over my laptop.

I don't have a hard and fast rule, but to save the service fee, err well my husband googles the problem and tries to figure it out himself.

With our washer last year, we discovered the drum was no longer connected (like it fell on the floor), and the parts to replace weren't available (major welding type stuff needed). So we got a new one. With our dryer he discovered the probable cause was an expensive route (bout 200) and chose to go new(400) for energy efficiency and 7 more years of no repair (7 seems to be the running time for newer models..if you have one older than 14 years you are prolly good for up to 30 total, if newer than 7, at least in our family 8 is the max)

In general I figure if the repairs will cost more than a new one in less than the time a new one will last, I want new. But that is not very environmental of me......but then again I have only had a crock pot-which was never replaced= and the aforementioned washer and dryer break on me.....)

Google really is your friend. We put a hole in the wall moving and I found instructions to patch it.