Repair Or Replace?
Image via WikipediaI think that one of the biggest mistakes our society is making right now is the attitude of “disposability” when it comes to our STUFF.
I’m not sure if our “throw away society” can be blamed on consumers or manufacturers. I suspect it’s a combination of the two. Consumer demand for products at the lowest possible price leads to manufacturers cutting corners in their product quality. It also goes in the manufacturers favour to have items that require replacing more often.
So, who is the loser here? The environment. We’re chewing through resources at the rate of knots and throwing it all into landfill just as quickly.
To be honest, understanding the whole landfill issue was something I remained blissfully unaware of (well, to a certain degree at least) until we had to start dealing with our own waste. We don’t have a convenient garbage pick-up service here. We have to deal with our own.
And it can be quite a SHOCK to the system to have in front of you a couple of years worth of landfill that has been generated by you and only you.
However, here is where I find a certain amount of conflict. Often-times, frugality and environmentalism go hand in hand.
That isn’t ALWAYS the case though.
Anything that involves technology may well create a conflict between frugality and environmentalism.
If you buy the cheaper model, will it end up in landfill quicker?
If you buy the more expensive model, will it’s technology be outdated faster than it wears out? And do the more expensive models really last longer?
Farmboy and I were caught in this dilemma about a year ago. Our television died. Do we repair it or put the cost of repair toward a new television?
We thought we’d done the “right” thing when we purchased it originally, opting for a Sony rather than a cheaper brand.
However, it was only a 51cm television and with Farmboy’s failing eyesight, was this a prime opportunity (ie excuse) to purchase something larger, with newer technology?
After discussions with our local electronics store, we decided that perhaps it was worth fixing. And spent around $100 repairing the television.
A couple of days ago, the television died again. Making us question the sensibility of having spent money on it 12 months ago, only to have it now no longer working again.
I guess this time we’ll replace it. I feel disappointed that our efforts to do what we felt was the “right” thing haven’t paid off. And now we’re left wondering what we’ll do the next time we’re faced with the decision of “repair or replace”.
What would you have done in our position?
Are there certain things you would repair rather than replace?
Do you find it easy to put environmental considerations ahead of frugal ones?
Can anyone recommend a television brand for under $500 (we haven’t decided on a size yet but preferably larger than 51cm - not that we fully understand the way the sizing works these days)? We’re thinking it’s not really worth spending extra money for a “better quality” brand but there are so many alternatives out there, it’s hard to know which way to go.
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Our TV died a couple of weeks ago. Previously, we wouldn’t have bothered with repairs, but in our new frugal mindedness we called out a guy to have a look at it. Unfortunately, it’s really dead. So we are tossing up about new tellies too. We should get some compensation from our power company though, because it was damaged in a power outage. No ideas what to get, sorry.
However
I did have a similar experience with my washing machine. It broke down maybe 3 times in it’s 10 year life. Each time cost about $80 to fix it. The last time was going to cost around $400, so we didn’t bother. I don’t feel like we wasted the repair costs though. We got maybe 2 years service between repairs, which I figure is reasonable value for money. Certainly better than the replacement cost each time.
In your situation, I’d take the view that I’d rather have the $400 (saved by doing repairs over replacement) in my pocket for an extra year, than have it bumping up the electrical retailers profit.
I think you need to find a position you’re happy with regarding environmental vs commercial (I’m struggling to find my position). They’re not always going to be compatible unfortunately.
End of essay
You could always go hard-core and neither replace nor repair it!
Now there is an option! But I have to admit it’s not an option I’m brave enough to face!
I’ve repaired my washing machine, a fridge, furniture and clothes & shoes. But tv’s get replaced, because I usually get cheap(ish) ones and it’s cheaper to replace than repair. For white goods I tend to buy brands which have proven staying power, asking all friends and family what brand theirs is and how long they’ve had it, how it performs etc. Tv technology is constantly changing etc and more expensive doesn’t mean better quality or longer lasting.
I haven’t had a telly since 1995 when I arrived in Australia and I don’t miss it at all.
My frugality actually made me decide not to spend money (a lot in my eyes) on a nice telly only to be blasted by advertising… The supposed return on my investment just didn’t stack up.
Maybe you can make a compromise and try how life would work out without a telly for a while, let’s say until the end of June. Maybe by then you’ll find that you can actually live without one.
L, our tv died a fortnight ago so we have the same issues as you. DH is an electrician and apparently the bolts of white lightning emitted from the high voltage unit at the back are NOT conducive to repair……funny that. This tv was an ALDI cheapie which cost about $200….but only 3 years ago. When DH took the back cover off to have a look, it is in fact a Samsung. We have a small 48cm borrowed replacement but we literally cannot see the ball in the euro cup matches we’ve been trying to watch! Had a look the other day at lcd tellies - you can spend up big or you can get one for around the $800 mark….which is still more than we’ve got hanging around at the moment. Our local Good Guys franchise has el cheapo tv’s for $180 at present but the picture is fairly ordinary. So…to recap the thoughts of a slightly wandering mind…..big bucks and a brand name won’t necessarily give you longevity….but then sometimes they will. That’s no help at all. Lisa x
A few years back we had to decide same about our washing machine and we were torn between water saving, durability , space and cost and you cant always balance all of these things. In the end we opted for a far more durable top loader becuase of my back problem lifting baskets of washing off the floor and our financial position at the time. We dont regret it but I now wash less often and with bigger water loads and mostly recycle the water. The repair man told us that most overload their machines beyond the weight capacity and keep shoving it full when its already full!
It is hard isnt it and I think you find out if you are a name brand person or not too in the process….. are we also teaching our kids that we just get a replacement when the other breaks down…. … do we show them we have saved already for emergencies etc…… food for thought hey!!!!!
I think you buy the best you can afford at the time….. and stay within your limit if possible….
Cant wait to see what you decide…. no guilt trips ok….
Meanwhile happy family games night vs tv watching…. you can always get live Crows updates on the web you know!
We bought a flatscreen from Aldi. Cheap as chips. Sice technology is changing faster than I can keep up with credit card bills, we finally joined the throwaway society and for next to nothing, have a whopper flatscreen that does the job.
very difficult decision … repair or replace
cheap vs brand name
I can’t help you on TV - we got Panasonic a few years ago on the recommendation of our local Electrical store based on ease of repairs/manufacturer warranty and least problems he’d experienced with them over time.
WE trust him and his opinion but they change all the time.
Our $10 elcheapo kettles for our business last longer than $40 Brand name one we use at home.
Or no TV would save a lot of money …
I tend to agree with Journeyer - $100 well spent you saved $400 for a year.
My first TV was a secondhand tube TV. It died on me about 2 summers ago I believe, (it was pushing 20 years old) maybe three? The colour was waning and it wasn’t possible to repair. I replaced it with an 80$ hock shop (pawn shop) tube tv, about the same size, between 17-19 inches. (i’ve never been one to care about size lol) I plan to keep this until it dies, which at this rate will be several years.
UNFORTUNATELY, i’ve heard through the grape vine that regular old picture tube tvs will no longer be of any use as of February 2009. TV reception in Canada is going to be replaced with digital reception. I’ve been told I’ll need an adapter of sorts, but the adapter doesn’t work with picture tube tvs. Only with flat screens and LCDS or whatever the new technology is.
I haven’t decided what I am going to do. I am very annoyed that I’m being told I must change when my current model works just fine. As well, what about the other members of society who can’t afford a new TV, cable reception or anything else along those lines? Shouldn’t tv (especially publicly funded tv stations like PBS in USA and TVO in Canada, or even government tv, CBC here) be free to the public? Why should we pay to have the privilege to watch TV?
Of course, I could have the story completely wrong. But it is something I will look into this summer as I do like to watch my 3 stations — CTV, CBC and Global.
The only other ‘brand new’ electronic wizzardy is my DVD player which I purchased last year. I had a cheapie before that and it died. So i bit the bullet and bought a higher end model and it’s been working fine.
Everything else I own is secondhand or gifts. Even my computer was a gift. My monitor is still old school lol. Kevin teases me about having a monitor which takes up the entire desk.
Right, end of rant.
Maggie
I recently replaced the TV in my parents rental property. They were overseas at the time & the property manager was telling me how much my Dad would love to by a plasma for it - yeah right! We purchased a large TV for under $200 under Kmart - yes it is CRT but really it is a TV. I also purchased my TV from Kmart - had a sanyo & after 8 months it stopped having colour for the playstation & DVD player. So we took it back under warranty & ended up with an audiosonic brand - flat screen for about $160 & is about 60cm - we are very happy with it & at the moment I can’t justify large money on what is just a TV! Not one of life’s necessity, but a luxury.
Journeyer - you have a good way of looking at it. TV’s have dropped in price in that past 12 months too. So it probably wasn’t a total waste getting it fixed. I just wish the thing had lasted longer full stop.
What frustrates me is my cheap Kmart one that I bought when I first moved out of home 16+ years ago is still going strong (well, it did have a $60 colour tube replacement) whereas this Sony (which was more expensive) hasn’t lasted the distance near as well (I think we’ve had it about 10 years).
Cat - LOL. I was expecting someone to suggest that. It’s not something I feel I can impose on the rest of the family as I don’t watch much anyway so it doesn’t affect me the same. We still have 2 small TV’s - but Farmboy’s eyesight isn’t what it used to be and he can’t see the footy scores!!!
Sharon - no, me either. Although the kids have spent ALL DAY today outside which has been great (for them AND me
). Not that that has anything to do with the TV breaking though as they watch the smaller one.
River - I think that’s what we’re coming around to. What worries me is that they’ll last even less long and we’ll have more landfill issues. But then again, maybe they’ll last as long or longer based on my past experience???
Mark - yes, I get exactly what you’re saying about paying for the privilege of being advertised to. I think part of my problem is that I grew up without a tv for many years and I was treated quite badly by some of the kids at school even back then. People assumed we were either part of a cult or the “Addams Family”.
I can’t put my own children through that so we try to focus on balance.
Lisa - you should try watching sport on a 34cm TV!!!!
If it were my old 34cm that had gone on the blink, we wouldn’t have bothered replacing it. But because it’s the larger one (51cm I think) we do need to. DH had been finding the 51cm a bit small for sport and other printing on the screen anyway so I guess a bit bigger is on the cards. Picture quality is another consideration we need to ponder in terms of brands isn’t it.
Lynette - what, you think I’m going to hand over my computer for a crows game???? LOL. We ended up purchasing a front loading washing machine even though our top loader was fine simply due to water issues. But our issues are different to yours. The newer top loaders are better on water usage than they used to be. In fact, I think you can now get a “front loader” that is top loaded. *shrugs* Or so I’ve heard. We were able to sell our old top loader though so it worked itself out. These big decisions are hard aren’t they?
Alice - not that we have Aldi here in South Australia but you’re happy with the quality of the Aldi TV in terms of the picture?
Trish - we’ve found the same with smaller appliances. I had some very cheap ones when I first moved out of home that have well outlived the more expensive ones we’ve had. Interesting.
Maggie - sounds like you’re doing well outfitting your home second hand.
I have NO IDEA when it comes to various technologies. It’s going to make shopping for one rather interesting. And who to believe? AND we only have the 1 day (DH has already checked out the local suppliers but they only have expensive ones at the moment).
Kelli - it absolutely IS a luxury, you’re right. Audiosonic. I’ve heard of that brand. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Important to remember is that a lot of TVs are cheap at the moment because of the move soon to digital broadcasting. Cheap TVs tend not to have digital receivers built in - you can still use a set top box digital coverter. Analog switch off is in 5 years.