Out with the Old, In with the New; Replacing appliances requires careful consideration

When appliances stop working as well as they should, consumers have two choices – repair or replace. And with so many enticing sales, it’s easy to just replace it. So how does a homeowner decide what route to take?

Mr. Appliance®, a full-service appliance repair company, suggests the following options when thinking about trading in your old appliance:

If it still works…
• Donate it! Donating a functional appliance can be a real blessing to those in need. Call your local non-profits (like the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, Vietnam Veterans and Goodwill) to see if they could use it. They may even pick it up at your house.

• Refinish it. The color may be old, but if it still works, why not keep it? Appliance refinishing provides a crisp, painted look and can be done at a shop or right in your kitchen. Look in the yellow pages under “Appliance Refinishers” for a local source. Refinishing a standard-size refrigerator (including front, top, and sides) costs approximately $250.

• Have a garage sale, place a notice at your grocery store or a classified ad in the local newspaper to help you find a buyer.

If it’s broke…
• Why not see if it can still be fixed? Appliance repair can save you money and avoids the hassle of dealing with the crowds and pushy sales people.

• If an appliance cannot be repaired you may be able to recycle it. Large appliances are made from valuable natural resources that should not be wasted.

• Throw it away. As a last resort, you can always throw it in a landfill. Call your waste collector or check the Yellow Pages under "Rubbish and Garbage Removal" or "Trucking-Light Hauling" for transport services.

“A refrigerator or freezer contains a chemical coolant or refrigerant,” Doug Rogers, vice president of operations with Mr. Appliance®, said. “Before throwing it away the refrigerant must be removed by a certified technician using special equipment prior to disposal. This runs an average cost of around $25-$35.”

NOTE: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges that all unused old-style refrigerators around the home be rendered childproof or, if on public property, appropriate authorities are called to safely dispose of the products. CPSC continues to receive reports about the tragic deaths of young children who are suffocated because of entrapment in old refrigerators. For more information on childproofing appliances, please visit: http://www.cpsc.gov. You should also check local laws and regulations applicable to the safe disposal of refrigerators and other appliances.

About the Mr. Appliance® Corporation:
Established in 1996, Mr. Appliance® is the only franchise providing full-service appliance service and repair, both commercially and residential. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” “Top New Franchises” and “Top 101 Home-Based Franchises,” Mr. Appliance® provides services to both residential and commercial customers at more than 82 locations in the United States. Mr. Appliance® is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, visit our Web site at www.mrappliance.com.

About The Dwyer Group®:
The Dwyer Group Inc., based in Waco, Texas, is a holding company of six franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor® in the UK), and Rainbow International®. Collectively, these independent franchise concepts offer customers world-wide a broad base of residential and commercial services. The Dwyer Group® also owns Harmon Solutions Group, a third party administrator for the insurance community, and provides services to an associate company, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide®, a national remodeling franchise. The Dwyer Group® is a portfolio company of The Riverside Company, a private equity firm with offices in New York, Cleveland, Dallas and San Francisco. For more information on The Dwyer Group®, or its franchise concepts, visit the company’s Web site at www.dwyergroup.com.

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