Faulty appliances: What you need to know before you buy

Got appliance woes? Youre not alone.

CBC's Marketplace investigated faulty appliances after hearing from people across the country that their stoves, dishwashers, fridges and washers failed while still fairly new.

Canadians collectively spend $4 billion every year on appliances, according to Statistics Canada. While most consumers expect major purchases to last, its easy to get stuck with multiple or costly repairs.

Toronto-based Toni Wuebbolt, for example,decided to replace her washing machine after having it repaired three times in its first year and a half. Within that time, she had problems with the door, the pump and the electronics.

I would expect my machine to last me at least at least 10 years, Wuebbolt said.

Marketplace talked to repair expertsto get the inside story on why appliances fail, and found that many of them are also frustrated by the quality of some new machines.

[Appliances have] become labour-intensive to diagnose, labour-intensive to take apart, labour-intensive to fix, one repairman named Phil told Marketplace co-host Tom Harrington. (Marketplace agreed not to identify some of the repairmens last names for fear of industry backlash.)

Repair experts say the trend toward digital interfaces and sleek design in particular have meant that many appliances don't last the way they used to.

• Watch Repairmen Unplugged on Friday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Television or online.

Keep it simple

So how can you avoid getting burned by a big purchase?

Jeff, whos been an appliance repairman for more than 30 years, says that no matter what youre buying, youre better off keeping it simple.

Every dryer has to do two things: Tumble and produce heat, he says.When you start spending all this money on different cycles, it does all these neat things, but at the end of the dayits a waste of money.

Andsometimes, when one feature fails, the entire machine can become unusable.

Youre better off buying an older-style machine without all the bells and whistles. Dont get caught up with stuff youll never use."

Look beyond flashy design

Jeff says its also easy to forget that good exterior design isnt a good indication of good performance.

We as humans are used to buying things on an emotional level, if something looks good. You see the colours of the machines that are coming out now, theyre candy apple red or neon blue, and people are buying these things based on how they look, he says.

But from that front panel backwards, theres a lot of stuff in there thats failing, he says.

Buy manual over electronic, where possible

While digital controls may seem appealing, the moisture, vibration, and heat that comes with using appliances can make computer controls more susceptible to damage.

Everything today is highly electronic, says Phil, whos been repairing appliances for more than 35 years. Since they introduced electronics into products, the quality has gone down and thats why products dont last the way they used to.

Jeff advises people to resist the high-tech frenzy. Complex electronic parts can be harder to source and expensive to replace, he says.

Find out what repairs entail before you need them

Before you buy, make sure to ask about your warranty and what happens if you need a repair:

• Who do you have to deal with to get repairs done?
• Can you find your own repair person,or do you have to deal with the appliance company directly (or someone affiliated withthem)?

Understanding how repairs are managed can go a long way to making any repair headaches less painful.

The trend seems to be toward tightly controlled service, says Steve Brannan, whos been repairing appliances for more than 30 years. With some manufacturers, he says,you have to deal with the company directly.

Can you call in anyone or is there only one person who fixes it? Look for a product thats supported by a good service network, he says.

If you just cant resist the lure and shine of the newest appliance trends, its sometimes a good idea to get the extended warranty, say both Jeff and Phil.

But this comes with a caveat: Jeff says it's important to know if the warranty is with the manufacturer or with a third-party. He recommends staying with manufacturers' warranties, because they maybe more likely to stand behind their ownproduct.

• Based on aMarketplaceinvestigation by Kathleen Coughlin, Jeannie Stiglic and Nelisha Vellani