Repair it or replace it?

[Laranna]

A couple of months ago my dryer broke down. There is power but the barrel does not turn. This is the second time it's died. Last year the control panel died just before the warranty ran out and I got it fixed then.

However, the warranty has expired and Westinghouse want to charge me $130 for someone to walk through the front door. Then there is parts and labour costs. They wouldn't even give me an idea of what potentially could be wrong with it so I have no idea how much it would cost to repair it.

There is no urgency yet being summer but we have a bulk rubbish verge collection next week and if I don't get it fixed I'll just chuck it out for the kerb crawlers.

What would you do? Buy a new dryer in a few months or pay to get it fixed? I'm thinking dryers are not that expensive to buy brand new with a warranty in comparison to repair costs....?

[Tinks]

It doesn't sound like a major problem to me, maybe a belt or soemthing. Do you have an appliance repair shop where you can take it near you? They'd probably be able to look at it and give you a quote before you decide whether it's worth fixing.

[slyder]

By the time you get it repaired it'd probably be at least a third of the value of a new one. If it's already giving this much grief and isn't that old, I'm not sure if it's repair worthy...

Maybe (if your DH is so inclined) get him to have a play with the internals. Worst case is he buggers it and you have to buy a new one anyway. Best case it's a simple problem that he can fix.

ETA: What Tinks said.

[Laranna]

Tinks, never thought of a repair shop, off to check that out...

Slyder, yeah DH took a look and the belt and all that looks ok, so no idea!

[rufalina]

my dryer sounds similar... power but not spinning. if i give it a good spin it will get going then i quickly shut the door and it spins.

We thought it was a fan belt, which you can replace yourself. But in mine it is a power thing...

EDIT to finish my post... Sorry was FAk and DS1 bumped me..

[Lulu]

Repair shop for sure - OR check out your local paper in the classifieds. There may be a few fix-it type blokes local to you.

[ladybird11]

I think I'd just buy a new one considering it's history .

[Floweryfields]

I'd guess a belt too - my parent's drier did the same thing. They also recommend turning it upside down at some stage to make sure it's wearing evenly.

[Indadhanu]

I'd ring a local repairer, they'd be cheaper than westinghouse, and IME just as good. They'll usually give a free quote first too which is good Personally, unless it was really old, I think it'd be a waste of money to go buy a new one, but thats just me LOL I have a phobia of spending unnecessary money (ask Shel, it frustrates her to no end ).

[smiles4u]

If it's oldish & this being a second breakdown i would buy a new one for sure !!