Nowadays, consumers treat most of their belongings as practically disposable. An item breaks, and we don’t think twice about tossing and replacing it. Built-in obsolescence, the practice of throwing things out rather than fixing them, is a relatively new phenomenon.
The generation that lived through the Great Depression knows all about replacing a button or reattaching a broken wheel rather than throwing out the baby with the bathwater. But is it always cheaper and better to repair things? And when should look at replacing them? To find out when it pays to repair or replace common household items and appliances, U.S. News solicited advice from top experts.
[See: 12 Ways to Save Money at Home.]
Appliances
When an appliance breaks while it’s under warranty, repairing it is usually a no-brainer. But if it’s out of warranty, the decision-making process can get more complicated. “There are many different things a consumer should consider before green lighting the repair: the age of the appliance, the cost of a new appliance and the reasonable expectation of appliance longevity, whether you are staying in the home or thinking of selling it,” says Anthony Rocco, founder and editor of Appliance Buyer’s Guide, a website that features detailed reviews of home and kitchen appliances. “Appliances are not perfect, and all will fail at some point,” Rocco says.
Repair if …
Your appliance has a long expected life expectancy. “This ‘life expectancy’ number is often key to making the right decision on repairing or replacing, and unfortunately it is different for many different appliances,” Rocco says. For instance, a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator is expected to last at least 20 years. “If at the 13-year mark you’re facing a costly repair such as a compressor or evaporator replacement, you can calculate that your machine is still likely to last at least another seven years after repair,” he says.
The cost of the repair versus the cost of a replacement should also factor into your decision. A Sub-Zero refrigerator costs between $8,000 and $13,000, depending on the model. If the hypothetical Sub-Zero model above cost $1,500 or less to repair or $10,000 to replace, repairing it would make sense, Rocco says.
Replace if …
Your appliance is out of warranty and nearing the end of its life expectancy. In the example above, if the Sub-Zero were 21 years old, it might make sense to replace it, even if the replacement cost more than the repairs. “Now you’ve past the reasonable ‘life expectancy’ point of your appliance,” Rocco says. “And while the repair cost may still be $1,500, the odds of having something else go wrong within the unit now is much greater. At this point, you are at the risk of throwing good money after bad.”
Rocco also suggests replacing a broken appliance if you’re planning to sell your house soon, since “new appliances always present better than used ones.”
Cars
A car is one the largest purchases consumers make. So, when our cars break down, it’s a huge stressor. Lauren Fix, the author of automotive website The Car Coach, which works with the Car Care Council, a nonprofit that educates consumers about auto maintenance, encourages drivers to have their car regularly maintained to minimize issues. If things do go wrong, Fix says your first step is determining the current value of your car, which you can do online by entering your car’s make, model year, condition and mileage. “Let’s say your car is worth $3,000. It makes zero sense to put $5,000 into a $3,000 car,” she explains.
Repair if…
You need a car and cannot afford new wheels. “In many cities, there is no other form of transportation,” Fix says. “You need your vehicle to get to school and to get to work.” Replacing the breaks or repairing a transmission problem may not come cheap, but hopefully it’s cheaper than the alternative.
[Read: The Hidden Costs of Buying a Car.]
Replace if …
You can afford to replace it, and your mechanic identifies other problem areas. “When you go to a repair shop, have them make you a list,” Fix says. This list could be color-coded according to the level of urgency.
Green should indicate issues you won’t have to worry about for a while; for instance, if your battery is in great shape now but you may need to replace it in the future. Yellow indicates potential near-term problems such as a possible suspension issue. Red-marked items signify urgent problems that need to be addressed immediately such as a break issue that could cause injury if it’s not fixed. Add up the total cost for the red- and yellow-flagged issues and compare that to the cost of replacing your vehicle. “If you’re in doubt about what needs to be done, look in the owner’s manual,” Fix adds.
Clothing
Some people relish the opportunity to give their closet a refresh, while others cling to their favorite pieces, even when they’ve seen better days. “We all have items in our wardrobe we all have a hard time letting go,” says Laurie Brucker, a Los Angeles-based certified image consultant, motivational speaker, personal stylist and founder of LaurieBstyle, which offers in-person and virtual styling services to women. “[Clothes] come attached with memories, stories and feelings. However, over time our wardrobe can start to feel dated, faded and tired,” Brucker says. Faded, tired clothing is one thing, but when issues such as a broken seam, a missing button or an unraveling hem threaten a wardrobe malfunction, here’s how to decide if it’s worth repairing.
Repair if…
You love it, and a repair would make it look great again. “Repairs are best meant for items that you absolutely love, that are still in great condition but maybe need a tweak to be worn again,” Brucker says. “This could be in the form of proper tailoring, replacing a broken zipper, updating the buttons or even getting a fresh hem,” she adds. You might be able to DIY simple repairs such as fixing a seam or replacing a button, but major repairs could cost almost as much as — if not more than — the garment itself, so you’d really have to love it to justify the cost.
Replace if …
The fabric is showing its age. A broken seam or hem can be resewn, but if the fabric itself is worse for wear, that’s not as easily fixed. “If the knit fabric is pilled or the sweater unraveled or a woven fabric has a hole mid-cross weave [it’s time to let go],” Brucker says. “Wearing fabrics that show their age is what can devalue an outfit and bring down your total look overall,” Brucker adds. If you love the shape and fit of an item that’s falling apart, you could always have a seamstress take it apart and recreate the garment with new material.
[See: 10 Oddly Practical Things You Can Rent.]
Brucker applies a similar approach to shoes. “Replace them if they have marks and scratches that cannot be buffed out, tears or rips in the leathers or the heels are so worn down, past the plastic or rubber soles or heel tabs,” she says.
More from U.S. News
10 Money Leaks to Shut Down Now
11 Expenses Destroying Your Budget
Should You Repair or Replace It? When to Buy New Items and Appliances originally appeared on usnews.com
