Over the last year, your BBB recorded more than 2,500 inquiries locally about appliance repair companies. Nationally, your BBB received more than 239 million inquiries and about 1,800 complaints about this industry.
When looking for a reputable appliance repair company, your BBB offers these tips:
• Get recommendations from friends and family. If they’re pleased with their repairman, most likely you will be too.
• Request estimates from several appliance repair companies. Compare price, parts, labor and warranty.
• Find out how long the appliance repair shop has been in business.
• Get references and contact them. A reputable company will have no problem giving you this information.
• Ask about the training of the company’s technicians.
• Find out if a company is a member of an association like the Organization of Repair Professionals.
• Make sure the appliance repair company is bonded and insured as appropriate.
• Ask the repairman for the old parts and ask why they failed. Most reputable repairmen will be happy to explain the work they’ve done.
• Inquire about costs. Expect to pay for a typical service call. Additional parts and labor charges will apply if you hire the company for a repair, but many companies will deduct the service charge.
• Get everything in writing, including cost, parts, warranty, etc.
• Pay by credit card. Using a credit card can give you some recourse for shoddy repair work.
Remember, most appliance repair companies charge by the hour. Make sure your make a clear path to the appliance which needs repaired. Be sure the item needing repaired is empty, i.e. no clothes in dryer or dishes in dishwasher. Also, you may be in the market for a new appliance considering the age of appliance and/or cost of repair.
Your BBB can provide a list of BBB Accredited appliance repair companies and Business Reviews on ones you’re considering. Visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.
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