Gas Range Oven 12 Years Old Just Broke..Repair or Buy New?

[lisaross]

HI my oven just went. It works on Broil but not on Bake. Called GE and they could send out a repair guy 99.99 to come to my house and then if they repair it the 99.99 will be deducted from the cost..

What is the life span of Ovens? How much do new ones cost? Anyone have the Consumers Guide book - which do they recommend and how much?

Thanx so much....

You guys always have the answers..

 

[prncess674]

Does it match your current decor? Is it a basic run of the mill oven or is it a specialty convections and such? What would be a comparable today? If it is the generic builder's grade I wouldn't repair it.

 

[lisaross]

It is a simple White GE Gas Range Oven /Grey Burners./Self Cleaning- about 12 years ago probably cost about 700 i'm thinking...It was a consumers pick back then..probably a best buy

 

[Psychodisney]

I had a similar issue a few years ago. It was a pretty simple fix-some kind of switch or starter that wears out with grease build up. Unless you planned on replacing it soon, i'd try to fix it. A local appliance repair guy might be less $$$ than the GE guy.

 

[prncess674]

You can also try googling your model and problem and see if someone else has had the same problem and how hard it was to fix. Not exactly the same thing but I googled a problem I had with my Jeep headlights and found a $99 solution vs. the $600 solution that two different shops quoted.

Doing some online investigations can be very enlightening.


Here is a site you might want to check out.
http://forum.appliancepartspros.com/

 

[merekc]

My grandma's stovetop went out after less than 10 years. When we were researching using Consumer Reports, it said something along the lines that if an appliance is more than 8 years old it probably isn't worth replacing. You'll just end up sinking money into something that is on its last legs.

They don't make things to last anymore.

 

[mantaz]

I had the mother board go out on our oven a few years back. I called sears with the error reading it gave and told me it would $275 to fix. I looked at the paper work to see how old it was, almost 20 yrs old and decided to go look at new ones. I got a glass top slide in at the scratch and dent for about $300. There was no way I was fixing a 20 yr old appliance!

 

[drnriordan]

I use a local appliance repair service when any of my appliances break. I have an older washer and dryer and he's come out to service both of them over the last 5 years. I continue to get service out of the appliances without having to buy new ones and since he now knows me, I usually get same-day service. His service fee is $39 and all of my repairs have been in the $75.00 range with parts and his service fee. I am so glad I've gone the repair route and not the replace route. He's also said that he will let me know when they reach the point of no return. The other bonus is that I'm helping out a local small business since the guy literally lives less than a mile from my house. It's been a real win-win for me. Plus, I happened to be browsing Sears the other day waiting for a new battery to be installed in by car and I was absolutely stunned to see the price of appliances. Don't get me wrong, I'd love some bright, shiney new appliances, but I'll take fixing my current ones for cheap any day over a $2500 waher/dryer set. Good luck which ever way you go.

 

[Chuck S]

I think the logical answer is that it depends upon what is wrong with it. Before having the repair guy out, look at what it is doing, and what component could be causing the problem. Then try to look up the problem on the internet to get an overall idea of total repair cost.

For instance, I have a 12 year old washer. One day, the tub stopped filling with water. I could hear the valve clicking, so I figured the the electrically controlled valve was getting the signal from the controller, so I went into an appliance store and bought a new intake valve for about $20 and replaced them.

But, if it is something major, like the motor or transmission, then it isn't even worth having the repair guy out, I'd by a new washer.

Same thing for your stove...if it looks like it could be a simple repair with an inexpensive part, it may be worth fixing. If it acts like it is something major...I'd buy a new one without even having the repair guy look at it.