Broken appliances: Why you may need repairs more often (Marketplace)

Are your pricey appliances breaking down faster and more frequently than ever? Marketplace investigates why it’s so tough to get your appliances repaired in Canada. We commissioned a national poll to uncover which brands you say break down most often, how long your appliances last, and your frustrations searching for a fix. Plus we follow four Canadians with different busted appliances (dishwasher, fridges, washing machine) to see if their machines will be saved or trashed.
To read more: www.cbc.ca/1.5475649
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[@samljer]

Designed to break after 5 years. they stop making parts after 3. But if youre lucky enough to still have a fridge from the 70s or 80s, it will still be working fine.

[@BONGONDORForthewin]

samljer so true

[@miroslawkaras7710]

And you can still buy part for i70s and 80s appience.

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

I still have my old fridge from 91’ out in my garage, works great ! I had replaced it with a big side by side kitchen aid and the compressor burned out within a year. It was under warranty and they sent a repairman out with a new compressor and fixed it. About a week later I got a really heavy package from UPS, another compressor !!! So know I have an extra ! Now the washing machine......grrrrrr🙄

[@alb12345672]

@@miroslawkaras7710 I bought a pump for a whirlpool washer built in 1971. The machine works fine. After seeing this vid I'm not letting it go!!!!!

[@moimeme4840]

@samljer Got a fridge built in 1961 made from a car company the only thing that broke was the Thermostat. Never had leaked Freon and still have its original compressor . The plastic brackets that hold the retaining bars in the door are cracked but are holding up with tape beside that it is still working great after 59 years !!! . I have seen a much older fridge 1930's the one with the compressor on the top exterior of the fridge still working !!!!!

[@iana36s]

Warranties for all appliances needs to be at least 10years.

[@daresome1]

Could be done but cost would be covered by the purchase price. For example Maytag makes 1 washer sells for 795. Exact same features but with heavy duty “commercial” 5 year warranty and heavier motor and parts costs $1195. As an appliance retailer I offer both but no one wants to spend the extra 400 for the same features but better built. Oh, there goes another 795 washer out the door!

[@RainCity3rd]

@@daresome1 exactly. It is not that this cannot be done but ultimately these companies service us clients as we want. And we dont want to pay the extra cost for quality. We want to sit back and complain things are not built well but wont pay more higher quality...

[@ze3bar]

the funny thing is, they do have 10 year warranty on some components. my washer dryer has a 10 year warranty on the motor and drum, lol the two parts that almost never fail haha

[@Matthew-jp4sn]

Samsung has the best warranty and products

[@MrTrailerman2]

@@daresome1 I agree but if you build a good product then the warranty should not increase the cost of the product. 5 years, 10 years those are just numbers and if a product is of quality then those numbers would be irrelevant.

[@eduardoavila646]

When your grandma's 1970's appliances that are older than you and work better than your 1-2year old ones.

[@campkira]

that one used so much electric.. you can buy brand new one every year... and cost less....

[@eduardoavila646]

@@campkira Probably, but yet its sad that many fridges we had all died. They should last as long

[@VeyronBD]

@campkira No way they use *that* much electricity, they use more but not so much more.

[@deaddoll1361]

@@eduardoavila646 Nostalgia is blinding sometimes. You really wouldn't want to be using a 1970s washing machine, or a fridge for that matter. Remember the regular defrosting that was required? The airconditioning window unit that roared, rattled and clanked its way through the day and night? The oil heaters that required regular filling with expensive fuel in a large, externally mounted tank and gave the air a peculiar smell? The large, inefficient, sometimes wood fired water heaters? I wouldn't swap my reverse cycle air conditioners, frost free fridge, instantaneous hot water system or my set and forget washing machine for any of that old crap

[@eduardoavila646]

@@deaddoll1361 Yeah dude, but i'm not nostalgic about it. It was a joke comment. Well based on my grandmas real situation anyways, she keeps thos ancient appliances.

[@CanMav]

"I hear you, but stop asking questions because I don't know anything and will only keep repeating what I have been coached to say"

[@robertthomas7094]

Market place is great! Keep up the good work. Canadians deserve better and if these companies want to participate in our market they need to be better.

[@gjohnson6884]

Everyone deserve better when they spend their... money not just Canadians!

[@bgregg55]

Lots of brand names almost all made by only five manufacturers. Choice is an illusion. They used to last for decades...but there's much more profit to be made if they only last five. Failure is designed in. What a scam. I couldn't stomach the interview with the appliance lobbyist.

[@sawarebel]

and among this five 3 of them are garbage.And we down to two

[@marvint480]

You guys should consider getting Japanese Brands. My home in Singapore has Panasonic/National Brand and they all work more than 10 years. The one we have currently, bought in 2008 and it is still working fine.

[@bgregg55]

​@@grildcheez1504 It's an outrage, that's for sure.

[@bryanviper]

@@marvint480 I think the issue is being able to buy the same model/version Europe has. European Appliances seem to be much better quality as seen in the video, but how can we order it here?

[@Francois_Dupont]

@@marvint480 yes, Panasonic is very very good. problem is in Canada you cant find them anywhere and the choice is very poor since stores only stock the very high end item.

[@IKnowYouDidnt]

Engineered obsolescence is fraud.... but, the industry standard. Government turns a blind eye, allowing it to be legal.

[@BearAxeBear]

I feel like a pro when i fixed my 20 years old wash dryer by just replacing the fuse for $2

[@ArthursHD]

Yeah, but you probably burn electricity similar cost to cost of a new one in few years. It would be great to support open source hardware & software to make appliances more repairable etc. Reducing sales tax for repair industry very well would support local economies with higher wages, I should promote it to my government.

[@jflyg2175]

Check your venting situation including your filter box. The thermal fuse is a safety device to cut the control power when exhaust temperature gets to hot.

[@monkeyddd9063]

100%

[@caroline61804]

Wow. You’re a stud! I’m being serious. We should all learn that skill. Likely more of us will need to be smart like that. You should get a few extra fuse while it’s still cheap and still available.

[@caroline61804]

If you make a video on how to ... please send me a link

[@oursongs7554]

There goes the giant brands on saving the earth and their green technology.

[@marknieuwejaar1075]

Bring in Greta....

[@MrHoeboe]

mark nieuwejaar “How daaaare you!” 😂

[@isaac24]

HAHA

[@lilolme69]

That appliance graveyard they are standing in, is not a graveyard. Those used appliances get repaired by used appliance guys and resold to people who can't afford new or do not want to buy new. How do I know? Because I am a used appliance guy.

[@woodworksparadise6036]

They only make more trash, with less interchangeable parts...

[@davidshakespeare9767]

Pretty sure the PR lady doesn’t even know how a fridge works other than making food cold

[@krollpeter]

I do admire her skill to protect her company, but if it was me ... if I had to say such things for more than a few months I'd get stomach ulcers and depression. I could not keep on saying these lies.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

@@krollpeter I agree! How does she sleep at night?

[@n_u001]

@@Leftatalbuquerque on her expensive memory foam mattress with a massage feature that costed her $4000. her money makes up for her cold heart.

[@jamescordes8673]

Why would a sandwich maker know how a fridge works?

[@bgregg55]

Of course she doesn't. She's paid to lie & look good on tv doing it.

[@Cylonknight]

I shouldn’t have to pay the cost of a used car for something that doesn’t move inside a house. I bought a 2001 Ford for 950 dollars and you’re telling me a fridge worth 5 grand won’t last as long as a hunk of metal used for transportation instead of something that crunches ice and cools food

[@RainCity3rd]

You've be safe driving that new fridge than that POS 2001 ford.

[@shandy3025]

Yes 😂

[@martergaming]

For some reason my dad's 2001 ford windstar only lasted 6 years. And he hates any car brand except Honda and Toyota after that.

[@Wckmt7ok]

Andrew Winkler: Well said.

[@campkira]

pretty sure your ford had endless cost.... but people who paid 5k for fridge are not smart people....

[@WTFUSERNAM44]

All of the parts in this video were available from third party websites. Also compressors usually aren't consumer pieces because their install can leak refrigerant which is required by law to be captured. That being said right to repair and legal backing for warranties should be mandated by law. Not left to be messed about by companies.

[@webcomment8895]

Geoff Berry It shows that the compressor is really available somewhere and an appliance repair company could order it for the consumer and install it.

[@webcomment8895]

Martynas Urbonas Cheap copies? Unlike the super high quality OEM parts that failed prematurely?

[@mavricxx]

Thank you CBC for this report and putting them on the spotlight! This isn't just Canada, in the US we have the same issues and these damn things are so freaking expensive. We need to ban together and sue the hell out of them.

[@Animeeater25]

I live in an apartment with appliances from the 50's, made at a long ago shut down factory about 20 miles away. Still work perfectly.

[@Phlegethon]

Stephen Vincent ok...enjoy the electricity you waste

[@stussels]

@@Phlegethon i have a 1950 gm frigidaire refrig that only uses about as much energy as a 100 watt light bulb when its running. its the first generation frost free fridges that are power hogs. of course i still have to defrost mine once or twice a year but its not wasteful

[@leonal522]

Last year I went back China to visit my parents. The apple-green Panasonic fridge they got in 1977 was still working nicely, never being repaired once. The fridge was among the first ever imported products after China opened its door to outside world. I believe that will be the only fridge that they will ever need all their life.

[@sidecarcn]

Well yes and no. People don't seem to remember there was just as much rubbish then as there is today.

[@MrTrailerman2]

@@Phlegethon I'd rather pay higher Electric bills than have to spend 12-1600 dollars every 6 years to replace a refrigerator. In 6 years I don't believe it would cost no where near $1600.00 just to operate a 50 year old appliance.

[@BirdnanBarry]

I am an American. Bought a front loading washer within a year the power button failed. Call to have it fixed and was told the button wasn’t included in the warranty. I called several times to order the part and was told it wasn’t available to the public. Had the repair man come out , he couldn’t order the part either. I call the company about five times when I finally was told they would sell me the part. I had to purchase the entire circuit board at $350. US. The power button is plastic and had fallen off and fell between the plastic housing and the circuit board. Very poor design, it should have been covered in the warranty. I ended up paying the $350 plus the repair mans fee to install the part. After about the two year mark I had to replace the entire machine due to bad bearings.

[@drasco61084]

Outrageous. Same BS here in the US

[@Bullminator]

Check for illegal repair guides on internet.

[@Francois_Dupont]

@@Bullminator illegal? i remember a time when all appliance had a full repair guide with complete schematic glued inside the panel.

[@MichaelD8393]

Indeed, my folks had a 3-year-old LG washer-dryer set that's given more trouble than the 35-year-old GE fridge they have in the garage. They got a new LG washer/dryer recently, but man do I hope those aren't gonna be bigger lemons than the old ones. Or an AMC Gremlin!

[@Bullminator]

Some people show tricks how to repair something that company doesnt want you to know and its not in the guide they generaly add.

[@alb12345672]

@@Bullminator Haha good luck if you can't find parts. A neighbor had a 5k fridge, it is not old, the computer is NOT available anywhere. And the used ones are all defective. So it is a storage cabinet now. There may be some services that repair them but if a certain part is custom you are SOL. Maybe search for Junk haul away.

[@marcmescher2335]

In 1996 I purchased a new clothes washer and dryer. Both have broken down over the years. Every repair person I’ve talk with has told me to do whatever it takes to repair these appliances because the new machines are junk due to the electronics. You need machines to wash and dry your clothes, not flash lights and play tunes.

[@dannyc.1552]

Don't buy the most expensive one with the most features. By the basic one that is well reviewed for appliances.

[@BuzzinVideography]

Danny C. Cheaper the better. I got a $300 freezer, about 1 cubic meter, and it’s perfect after 5 years. Been through a lot. Even dropped from the backhoe. Lol

[@wealthandwellnesswithGrace]

Definately agree...

[@goldwinger5434]

Gotta laugh at the Kenmore on the list. Other than the handles, that Kenmore Elite french door fridge is exactly the same as its LG branded equivalent. Kenmore is made by Frigidaire, Whirlpool, and LG for Sears.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Sears is dead in Canada. Where can you even buy one new today?

[@dp9324]

In the washer/dryer department, I passed on GE/LG/Kenmore etc and went with the often overlooked Speed Queen brand. Made in Wisconsin (USA), they have performed superbly for me and the critical parts have a 15 year warranty. My 2 cents...

[@kibaanazuka332]

Speed Queens are great, they're often built for industrial use so are built for longevity alongside you can easily get parts for them.

[@snowboardnash]

I have an 20 year old washer and dryer. I replaced the clutch ($45) in my washer and the heating element ($60) in my dryer all with OEM parts and a little help from KZbin videos. In that same time a friend of mine has replaced his washer 3 times and his dryer once and all of those were newer energy saving models with a lot of electronics. When he did his calculations, he spent way more in new products than he would ever save in electricity. It should be like the car industry where they must make parts available for years even after a model year has been discontinued. We need The Right to Repair.

[@Mr537leslie]

The association should show us their data. It's just blah blah blah otherwise.

[@cheyimpunity8657]

Mr537leslie exactly!

[@ursulasmith6402]

She is just a made up character.

[@lenaredhead5572]

She just made that up ha

[@VahidAnwari]

Shes an NPC

[@manp1039]

it might be possible that within last 3-4 years things are a bit different. There used to be a company "Consumer Reports" that would test appliances and then write up reviews on what their tests revealed. I bought an Equator washer dryer combo. Thankfully I bought the extended square trade warrantee for it. about a year later it stopped working correctly. And Square Trade took care of it for me. In this cae, they just reimbursed me for my cost (not including the sales tax) They said it would have cost too much to repair because of its age. And they didnt have a comparable unit they could replace it with. sadly these units went up in price due to the tarriff, by about $300.. but I am thankfull they did reimburse me what i paid, minus the sales tax. I took a hit on the sales tax. I had to sort out on my own disposing of the old unit. Also, I am out the cost of the insurance time still left on my policy. So I will have to repay sales tax and for a new square trade policy. but for an expensive appliance I think it was worth having it for this machine. I think some credit cards also double the manufacturers warrantee. SO i wonder if any of these people had this option to get the unit repaired or replaced or get a refund for their purchase price. I think some of them or at least one of them said they took it back to the shop they bought it.. i suppose they got a refund for what they paid? On the others i think the units were 4 years or less in age, so could have been still covered under a manufactuers warrnatee?

[@jessicadayla]

I think the answer is to legally require a 25 year full coverage warranty on all large appliances

[@googleusergp]

As well as parts availability for at least the same time---at least on functional parts. Used parts can be had for trim and decorative items on the appliances.

[@sawarebel]

25 years? Most of the companies would of went bankrupt

[@sawarebel]

@Box Addict i mean they would be bankrupt because nobody needs to buy anything every 5 years

[@Mario-zm7qj]

@@sawarebel No they wouldn't be bankrupt, they just wouldn't be billionaires.

[@sawarebel]

@@Mario-zm7qj How? They do unreliable stuff because they want more money.

[@someoyou]

That woman interviewed, she definitely lies

[@rommysoeli]

What we should expect? I totally believe that all people in that office are paid by big manufacturer to lie, oppose any proposal for new law that could would disrupt their easy cash grab practice.

[@Bleusilences]

She doesn't "lie" she mask the truth... Notice she says that the average lifespan of appliances didn't change in the last 20 years? What about the last 30? The last 50? And this is the one that jump to me.

[@hatchettwit]

Here in America we call them lobbiests :D And yes, they absolutely will lie. Anything to sell their pitch.

[@BurntTransistor]

She'd make a great politician

[@alb12345672]

@@Bleusilences I have a whirlpool washer from 1971 that works PERFECTLY. The scary thing i can get parts for it and its simple to repair.

[@Willhfxep]

Putting Kenmore as #1 is interesting as Kenmore doesn’t actually manufacture their own appliances. It was the house brand for Sears and their appliances are rebranded versions from various manufacturers. It’s probably number 1 simply due to volume of sales when Sears was still around, however they are mostly just rebranded LG/Whirlpool/Frigidaire appliances.

[@hivvvaal2607]

Exactly

[@jptrainor]

Yeah, surprised me they didn't mention that.

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

I agree that Kenmore doesn't manufacture their own appliances. Whirlpool and Sears seaver ties in 2019. So lg and Kenmore makes most of their appliances. Ge who is bought out by haire may make some Kenmores. Hell even wascomat got bought out by electrolux.

[@manuelcifre1]

Exactly, that is a LG refrigerator with a linear "garbage" compressor

[@stclair1987]

It was #1 for breakdowns

[@ij6708]

I am 24 years old now, recently my mom called me to let me know our old washing machine finally broke down for the first time. I was like, why are you calling just to tell me that. She then said that they bought it around the time I was born. All, I could say was, "Oh!".

[@Tommy_boy007]

That’s why I bought a Speed Queen front load washing machine. LOVE IT. I got a 10 year manufacture parts and labor warranty. Next I need to get the dryer.

[@sarablue4213]

@@phouliscostantinou1767 even Bosch doesn't make them as they used to. 2 year old dishwasher and the heating element gave up. It was after warranty, but still reached out to them. To my surprise, they approved the repair at no cost to me. So I guess they did something right...

[@lilolme69]

If it's a front load, it still has a computer and you have been lucky to not have problems. I know people that have had a GE front load for 10 years and no problems.... every now and then, a good one comes off the assembly line. I sell used appliances so I see 100000 times more than a regular person.

[@pettypoh]

Thank you for an informative feature video. Here In SINGAPORE, we also face the same problems. Appliances are breaking down more often, and parts take too long. The manufacturers need to be taken to court for such unethical actions!

[@eddiec8360]

Our little Westinghouse fridge is 11 years old and we’ve never had an issue, still going strong. Shows that’s it’s not hard to make quality products, it’s just the manufacturer squeezing money out from wherever they can.

[@cz2301]

I have the cheapest fridge i could find. It,s like an old watch, it has two functions: cooling and freezing, and i never had any issue in 8 years. Anything other than that is bs and a source of headache. It,s like a car, it only needs tires and a steering wheel, not a ton of electronics and motheboards.

[@southsurreybc]

Get a Miele brand appliance. 2001 Miele vacuum still works, 2003 Miele washer and dryer working flawlessly. Higher up front cost, Made in Germany, parts available for 13 years at least if needed. Worth it!

[@robertskolimowski7049]

LOVE these programmes of yours CBC, keep up the good job!

[@uasiddiq]

CBC either made her look really bad or she's just a really poor lobbyist.

[@CircularMirror7]

Search up right to anti repair lobbyists and you'll see it doesn't really get better then this.

[@kellismith4329]

As a former repair person, the quote give to me when asing these same questions - “we are in the business of selling appliances, not fixing them”

[@PlantBasedU]

My Blomberg brand new washer and dryer both broke in 3 years. Absolutely ridiculous. I spent a fortune fixing them last year, almost as much to buy a new one. Just checked, over $1000 to repair both WHAT A LIE! NEW APPLIANCES DO NOT LAST 10 YEARS! Many of my friends are having stuff brand new and break down within 2-4 years.

[@cookiesnbubbles]

Thank you so much for standing up for Canadian consumers!

[@ethimself5064]

Make a long story short: My parents and friends would easily have major appliances last for 2 decades +. WTF, RIP OFF

[@ethimself5064]

@BBBBBBBBBBBefw Avoid everything

[@ethimself5064]

@Histopher Citchens Yes

[@brianc9036]

Yup no question about it. 10 years at a minimum.

[@savantianprince]

I prefer items that can last at least 20 yrs

[@Todd.T]

@BBBBBBBBBBBefw You called it. They don't want to fix their own crap and don't have the parts. I buy basic GE stuff or similar and it lasts longer.

[@aliceestrada2904]

I bought a sears brand washer and dryer in 1979. They lasted over 20 yrs, the dryer drum band got too loose, but I bought a new one and replaced it myself. New appliances are made to break. They need to make sales.

[@athrunzala75]

Honestly, down here in the US it's more of the same. I eventually just had enough of this mess and bought a used ~20 year old washer/dryer set off of Craigslist and they haven't faltered since then. Guarantee though if I'd bought new they'd have broken within the 4 years I've had this set.

[@Klavieralter]

At 18:13, she has a half-smile on her face when she mentions never wanting to deny anyone (i.e. customers) a choice. That smile says otherwise.

[@leonal522]

Last year I went back China to visit my parents. The apple-green Panasonic fridge they got in 1977 was still working nicely, never being repaired once. The fridge was among the first ever imported products after China opened its door to outside world. I believe that will be the only fridge that they will ever need all their life.

[@Authoratah]

Appliances used to last 25 or more years...now you are lucky to get 5-6 years. When I went shopping for a laundry washer....at several big box stores the salesmen admitted that the new washer will not last me more than 5-6 years. One salesman also added that this was done on purpose.

[@lilolme69]

It is done on purpose. I sell used washers and dryers...... I make more profit every year! lol

[@peace8373]

No brand really make their own products, it is all contracted out. No one wants to take responsibility. They set up associations for protection, not to make a better industry.

[@sidecarcn]

Peace no some do. My Bosch dishwasher is made in Germany by Bosch. My Miele washer and dryer and vacuum are made in Germany by Miele.

[@zpoedog]

The appliance repair shops are making a big profit as well. I had a Whirlpool that had a leaky seal. They said they had to replace the lower unit for $289 dollars because the manufacturer did not sell the seal. I found the seal on amazon for $6.00 and it took 5 minutes to install myself

[@ambivertical]

LOVE YOU MARKETPLACE! REAL JOURNALISM!! REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@roryzb]

18:30 his expression and the camera zoom is perfect. "gotchya"

[@sketchin72]

I bought a new house 9 yrs ago and in that time I've either fixed or replaced the stove, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine dryer, furnace and bar fridge.

[@Quebecoisegal]

When I lived in Europe there was a law that products had to be fit for purpose for 5 years, and if they weren't your beef was with the retailer, they supplied it. My washing machine came with a 6 year parts & labor warranty, needed 2 repairs and it was still going strong after 12 years (Panasonic).

[@enjaypy8568]

Note the common denominator : when manufacturers changed to manufacture overseas. My Mom has a Maytag that's over 40 years old - built in North America pre-NAFTA. Built-in obsolescence - that manufacturing philosophy is costing GM cars it's survival. It now enjoys a worldwide reputation for crap quality. They've had to downsize operations worldwide. Suggestion: buy a basic, less complicated machine. Buy simpler without fancy electronics or computerization. It's cheaper so when it conks out, it hurts less financially to replace or repair. I like the idea of "Right to Repair" and reduced sales taxes for repair/refurbish businesses! They should talk to John Deere! That's a company that ripe for anti-trust and consumer protection complaints - the parts and repair business unit of an appliance should be separated from the new sales and marketing arm, preferably an arms length agreement. This is to prevent price fixing and collusion to force consumers to buy new or to repair only through the parent company. An even better idea, ecology laws that force full cycle retailing like those proposed for the fashion industry. If these companies had the cost of the recycling imposed upon them, they'd be motivated to have better durability design.

[@donyboy73]

they are purposely making appliances to not last as long to keep their factories going. Fixing is not in the manufacturers interest.

[@JarofMayonaise]

And if you dare press the issue, they'll probably say something like "If we made reliable things, we wouldn't need to employ as many people. You wouldn't take people's jobs away would you?"

[@JC.Holland]

In Europe you get 2 years product warranty. The best ones are the German brands like Siemens, Miele and AEG

[@Skanzool]

German brands typically break more often than other cheaper brands. The Germans have become very good at marketing their overpriced and grossly overrated cars and appliances to unsuspecting fools like you.

[@kokovox]

AEG is part of Electrolux. More Swedish than German.

[@Hans5958]

They mentioned this on the video

[@michaelcarr7170]

50 years ago I learned in business school about a term known as "planned obsolescence". Products are manufactured to break.

[@cameronf3343]

Just imagine how loyal of a customer base you’d make by being an appliance manufacturer who doesn’t make stuff to break in less than a generation’s time in modern times. Seriously.

[@lilolme69]

But just think of how much profit every appliance manufacturer can make if they all make them to break..... and they do. Loyalty does not = profit. That is why we have ended up where we are at today.

[@dcheck7631]

Parents have Maytag washer 28 years old, works like new.

[@griffinharvey3910]

EXCEPT that they were bought out years ago by Whirlpoolor GE I think. Resting on the name of quality that Maytag built, the consumer thinks they're buying the same quality appliance as you purchased 28 years ago. Maytag is absolute SH*T now. purchased fridge, stove, dishwasher and microwave. I purchased Samsung Washer & Dryer. Have had problems with all of them, under 2 years old. Built in obsolescence. DISGRACEFUL. It's intentional and DISGUSTING.

[@goingagainstthegrain]

@@griffinharvey3910 , You're exactly correct!

[@leonal522]

Last year I went back China to visit my parents. The apple-green Panasonic fridge they got in 1977 was working better than my 4 yo fridge in Canada, never being repaired once. The fridge was among the first ever imported products after China opened its door to outside world. I believe that will be the only fridge that they will ever need all their life.

[@tomj4506]

Thats normal. I retired mine at 35 years still running. Bought a Speed Queen before they were forced by the gov to cheapen them to meet regulations. The last of the real appliances built. LFOD !

[@ericyuan9718]

A lot of those companies even make maintenance of their appliances unnecessarily difficult

[@Francois_Dupont]

ive seen chips inside main boards that detect if you repair the board, it engage a software lock down and stop the machine from working again. its all SMD parts that are dipped in resin you cant even touch the motherboard without scrapping the coating off.

[@alubto]

We have to force them to let us fix our stuff. Go rights to repair

[@marknieuwejaar1075]

Home owner warranty five years.... car warranty three years....

[@workingshlub8861]

i have been doing apartment maintenance 15 years and worked on every brand and can tell you none is really any better than the other...i have spoken with factory reps and sales guys and they have told me 10 years and anything after that consider a bonus....no more 20 plus years from your washer/dryer etc...only 3-4 companies make all the brands..

[@Just-a-girl]

"Manufactures are really trying to provide a good customer care experience" "please leave a message" !

[@MrZzz877]

The Kenmore is an LG made refrigerator. LG has major compressor failures. Retired 6 months ago but what i understand the LG came out with a universal compressor that you have to reprogram the main board to use. The originals are not available.

[@rg6093]

Great to see Louis Rossman references! Circuit diagrams and part numbers used to come with appliances and electronics. The same era that public schools taught finance, electricity and critical thought. Such a sad time to see conglomerates own, control and pincer us into debt and dependance. No wonder so many corporate workers are on anti-depressants.

[@imjody]

Keep up the amazing work, Marketplace. :) Thank you for all you do.

[@Alex_Plante]

I've always bought second-hand appliances with no bells or whistles. They seem to be more reliable.

[@JoeStuffz]

I might just buy the low-cost bang-for-the-buck, commercial appliance if I could afford it instead. I would love to hear how commercial appliances compare

[@Francois_Dupont]

i got a call about a 5000$ whirlpool washer that made noise. it had a worn main bearing and leaking seals, it was pissing water all over the wooden flooring and the lint trap inside the tub was stuffed with a sock that had slipped inside. it was so bad it started to rot inside. guess what? it was only 1yo. the woman was so angry at whirlpool she asked me what MY appliance were. i told her i only buy the bottom end appliance with no gadgets and they last for 15years with only simple maintenance.

[@webcomment8895]

JoeStuffz Most commercial appliances will not fit in a residential home.

[@stussels]

buy older stuff if you can get away with it. mid eighties maytag washer dryers are good. cheap parts, easy to fix, last forever. i have a 1984 pair going strong.

[@JoeStuffz]

​@@Francois_Dupont It's not helping that people want a bunch of unnecessary smart features in everything. I just need permanent press, delicate, hot, warm, and cold. It might have been CBC that pointed out that having the controls above the appliance removes the risk of water getting inside the circuit board. Guess where the controls are placed for the fancy ones? On top, in the front, where you are the most likely going to get water inside.

[@flexjay87]

Commercial brands cost a fortune, so forget it. they are not designed to work in a house.

[@aegisofhonor]

my GE Hotpoint fridge is 16 years old and though some issues are starting to show up, it's still working great after all these years. Pro tip, keep the appliances simple, the more basic the appliance, the less that can go wrong with it and easier and cheaper it is to fix it if something does go wrong.

[@shadowmodsrecovery7668]

After watching this video I got really scared about buying a new fridge. The 1 I have is a 21 year old Kenmore. All these horror stories of people having problems after less than 10 years makes 1 worry about purchasing a new fridge. I just replace a stove that was 62 years old which is amazing craftsmanship & reliability. All these Eco groups that champion climate change & pollution should go after these big corporations to clean up their acts & make more reliable products where we consumers don't have to buy new appliances so often. Great story & knowledge for us consumers.

[@Hobypyrocom]

i am just curious, why buying for example expensive fridge for $4-5k when you can buy $300 one that will do the job? you just need to stop stacking so many supplies (half of wich you end up throwing), which means you will eat fresher food anyway... i have a Frinko fridge that is running for more than 23 years without any repair so far, got it for $300USD back then...

[@JoeStuffz]

If I hit $1200+, I'm very tempted to look into a commercial appliance instead.

[@Phisx9567]

All talk no action. Its been the same for years and still zero action from our government

[@AlexanderLong]

ironically I have some of appliances that might be even old than me work better than a brand new one coming out last 5 years. And those old machines are way easier to get fix than those "high tech" ones. So now if I haven't buy some thing, I make sure I can find the replacement parts and get to know how it works and how it can be fix before buying it.

[@gregculverwell]

The older the better. I have 4 appliances which are 35 years old. Horribly unfashionable but they keep going and do just as good a job as a new one.

[@imscanon]

Well of course they'd rather you buy new than repair. Most things these days are designed to fail long before they should. When it comes to appliances, more bells and whistles isn't better at all. Keep it simple and basic and you'll fare much better.

[@coolshanth94]

Here in Hong Kong, appliance manufacturers are required by law to pick up and recycle your appliances for free. That encourages manufacturers to build reliable appliances.

[@katadila3166]

Here in Indonesia, If you have broken electronic home appliances and want to fix it up, DO NOT go to the official manufacturer. It's always way more expensive, and they will easily say that some spare parts are not available anymore. But go to the third party services electronic home appliances instead. They always have some kind of way to fix it up. with way more cheaper price.

[@kevswick]

Nice to see a CBC video without the comments disabled!

[@rickfeng4466]

Dryer's main electrical board fried. The part is somehow available on Amazon. $300, non-refundable, and I didn't know if replacing the broad would fix it. Luckily the gamble paid.

[@donyboy73]

it's the same thing in the small engine business, so much JUNK!

[@kellismith4329]

Totally ! Plastic engine blocks ? Loaded with safety levers and switches but don’t run

[@donyboy73]

@@kellismith4329 plastic camshafts!

[@kellismith4329]

@@donyboy73 that’s insane, makes me love my ancient lawnboy 2 stroke even more lol No levers, no switches - pull the string and mow

[@Actionronnie]

Got a portable dishwasher from my sister in-law in 1999,she wanted a new look so gave it to me and it lasted another 10 years. She was working on her third one in that time. I replaced it with another 90's era one for $40 that the seller said leaked. It was just a corner seal that was missing, a part replaced from the older one. It's been in use for another 12 years 😁 Bought another 90's era one that's works just for spare parts or for a replacement if needed for $20. I also have a 25 year old washing machine and dryer, plastic handle broke on the dryer within 5 years and that's all. A friend of mine is working on her 5th washing machine in that time. The difference is all of the new stuff have motherboards that keep going out, they're worth more than the entire product to replace. Friend bought the cheapest top loading mechanical washer she could get, so far after 3 years no issues.

[@YycAdrian]

Market Place is the best thing the CBC has !!

[@johnazhderian5734]

The appliances from the 1990s and earlier would usually go 20 to 25 years or greater.

[@keithmartin1328]

Very true. However, electrical appliances are proportionately cheaper now than 30 odd years ago. My indesit washing machine, which I paid £189 for, lasted only 3 years.

[@johnazhderian5734]

@@keithmartin1328 The least reliable appliances are high tech and expensive and are designed to meet water and energy conservation standards in the US, Canada, and the European Union. Reliable and durability be dammed.

[@wealthandwellnesswithGrace]

It's a shame how we're mistreated and taken advantage of by these appliance manufacturers. And no one is looking out for the little people like us. We have to demand better

[@mogbaba]

I am happy I live in Norway, we don't experience such problems here but If I am to live in North America, I go and buy old, second hand appliance. Back then the producers had not learn Planned obsolescence.

[@MrZzz877]

My appliances made in 1994. They do not break. The simple non electronic appliances with less features will hold up better, but when customers see the new fancy high end units and buy, they will have more problems. The higher efficiency requirements did not help. Do not buy high end. More electronics, more trouble.

[@goldwinger5434]

And another thing . . . . the average life being ten years means that some lucky guy gets 15 or 20 years and the unlucky sod gets 3 years.

[@camelCased]

Yep, it's the same as the government in my country claiming average salary to be 1000 EUR, when it's actually more like 400 EUR for 90% of the population and 10000 EUR for 10%.

[@victortitov1740]

BTW... your numbers add up to average salary of 1360

[@amlouellet711]

I have a 2 y.o. microwave and cannot even change the light... that's panasonic for you but my amana frigo is a treasure

[@griffinharvey3910]

My Maytag is the same. They're all disgraceful now to what was on the market 30 years ago. Yes, I'm old and know that.

[@mototour08]

I live in the US and have a LG "Ktchen suite" Refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and over the range microwave oven and venet system. I purchased the products new in Feb. 2017. in Feb this year, the compressor in my refrigerator failed. Although the appliance came with only a 1 year parts and labor warranty LG told me they would cover the repair if I let them book it for me. I let them and a repair person was booked for the following Friday. The repair man told me that the original compressor in my refrigertor has been updated 3 times making the one I recieved the 4th model. He said he had them on the truck as it was an extremely common problem. My refrigerator is repaired and the cost to me was $0.00 That said we have an "implied" warranty in the state of Maine where I live so in the event LG had decided not to cover my repair I had the paperwork ready to go for the implied warranty which would have forced repair, replacement or full refund within the first 4 years of ownership on a household appliance and in some cases up to 10 years. It is discusting that appliance companies get away with producing junk. I enjoy your show, even though I am not Canadian. Thank you.

[@rawbin2K]

At least we have some sort of consumer rights in Sweden, usually never have a problem returning faulty goods after even 2 years. We have reclaim rights up to 3 years and usually 1 or 2 years of warranty, sometimes up to 5 to 10 years. Hope Canada and the US gets better laws regarding that too :/

[@alecnolastname4362]

They just don't make them like they used to, what ever happened to "it should last a lifetime."

[@sycoticpsycho]

There isn't any money in that...

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

@@sycoticpsycho Correct. Or more accurately, the consumer has squeezed prices to the point where the manufacturers could not survive on the remaining margin if consumers only replaced their product every 20 years. Same goes for cars, etc. We all complain about poor quality goods made overseas, but we as consumers drove that trend. Just as we all complain about dishonest politicians, but consistently vote them in.

[@VeyronBD]

@Stainless Steel Lemming Its true that its consumer driven to an extent, but of course the companies are going to move it overseas when they can pay the employees 1/10th the salary and use cheaper materials

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

@@VeyronBD I suspect strongly (from experience) that most companies would happily source and manufacture here in the states if they could get a decent margin on the products. But consumers are very resistant to price increases. Can you image what an iPhone would actually cost if it was manufactured here? And do you think people would pay that amount? Apple is one of the few companies who have managed to maintain a price premium, with a typical margin of 60%. Other consumer electronics companies are happy if they can get 20%.

[@ShiningSakura]

In other words.... buy vanilla appliances and don't get anything fancy. It will probably last over 10 years that way. Just cut out the complexity and features that constantly fail.

[@gr8macaw1]

yes my appliances are basic fridge and top loader washer dryer 15 years old

[@webcomment8895]

Maggie H Doesn’t work if the appliance still has cheap parts and motors that fail after 6 or 7 years. Only advantage is that you have wasted less money replacing a cheap appliance after 6 years vs replacing an expensive one after the same number of years.

[@vincegranados6486]

@@webcomment8895 I tried that. My whirlpool lasted around 2 years and the new Frigidaire is struggling

[@webcomment8895]

Vince Granados You can get extended warranties for 5 years.

[@vincegranados6486]

@@webcomment8895 Home Depot promised an initial 4 years after it started to fail after one year. The company did not honour it because it was purchased by HD after the 1 yr warranty.

[@inquisitor4635]

After 8 years the digital clock-timer in my oven started going and it would not allow me to turn the oven on. The price of a new clock unit cost 80% of the price of the appliance. I simply looked at the schematics and disconnected the clock-timer, re-routed a wire or two and the oven now works fine. Had my electrical engineer neighbor look at it to make sure the jury rig was correct and I was not going to burn my house down. Amazing that an unnecessary component can render all the necessary components inoperable and then cost so much to repair.

[@benl6328]

I have a JenAir stove. A element broke. I reaseached the part. The part number didn't exist. Well found out that the stove was a JenAir. The stove top was done by Maytag. And the element that didn't exist? Well it does, under another part number, made by Whirlpool! Lol lesson? It's all one big company. They all work together to screw us over.

[@AKATenn]

It's my experience corporations make things so they break, and cant be fixed... hard to make money when people only need to buy something from you once... evil ...

[@RainCity3rd]

Not, they just don't care to spend more to make things last long or spend the extra money to made more cheap and easy to fix because.... no one will pay more for that. Its no more complicated, simply why would they if its going to cost them more but not allow them to charge more for? Dont you think one company out there wouldn't just figure it out and suddenly because the market leader and make a killing?????

[@AKATenn]

@@RainCity3rd who would saturate a market with something that'll last multiple lifetimes? Nobody, because eventually they wouldnt continue to make higher profits, it would level off, and go down as cheaper less reliable knockoffs come out, and what you end up with is what I said... things made with the intent for them to break easily... It's not that people wouldnt pay more for more, it's that people dont get the choice anymore.

[@RainCity3rd]

@@AKATenn multiple lifetimes is rather extreme, but if there was profit in realistic quality a company surely would do it. Why? Well surely they would have higher profit margin, and all of us mad consumers would run to the. And toss money at them to buy their stuff right? But the problem is people won't. They want high quality but for the current super cheap cost.

[@AKATenn]

I am one of those that waits till he can get the best before he buys and goes for longevity and functionality over form and price... so you're wrong in assuming everyone only goes for what's cheap over what's good.

[@DustinEvans1966]

Someone could make a lot of money restoring old 1950s washers and dryers. Or just buy commerical equipment. Like the washers in the laundromat that you put the coins in.

[@awesomelikeme]

Seriously true

[@whitesheatingairappliancer7101]

I own a laundromat those mechanical timers are becoming obsolete. The majority of commercial equipment is 3 phase not single phase. Also the front load washers are hard mounted. Meaning you have to secure them to c channel base. You can buy speed queen topload washers that are commercial designed for $800 to $1000. I guess when you know you're product is good $$$$$.

[@DustinEvans1966]

@@whitesheatingairappliancer7101 yes I just meant those standard top load commerical washers. Can you buy those for your home ? Some seem quite old. Maybe they don't even make anymore.

[@americo2]

My Brastemp fridge is 22 years old,my Brastemp oven is 35 years old,mty Bosch wash machine is 15 years old ....you got love Brazilian appliances!

[@jaseciantar2760]

In Australia we are protected by the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commision).. We have had it for years..it protects us with our purchases and guarantees. Our washer is 17 years old and fridge is about the same age..

[@markk9586]

That appliance association sounds corrupt. They have their own “data” that clearly does not make any sense.

[@kellismith4329]

Likely run by gov’t

[@bennetfox]

These people have experienced "planned obsolescence".

[@annecurrie1603]

I have a Maytag washer I purchased almost 40 years ago still works perfectly and has never had one repair. I had the matching dryer until four years ago. But a needed replacement part was no longer available. I have gone through 2 LG stoves.. I LG dishwasher after just four years of frustrating problems. The LG stove burners came on full throttle without turning them on. Scary. The dishwasher left the dishes greasy and unwashed. Yuk Replaced them with Frigidaire Gallery series.

[@omegafile]

I had an old Maytag washer from the 1960's that lasted 30 years and was still working when I left it behind. My Parents had a big wringer washer from the 1940's it was so big you could put 4 times more clothes in it than then average washer today. I would take the old wringer washer back anytime it was so big and heavy duty.

[@ethimself5064]

Still pissed all in all. All in all, for someone wants just get a lower priced appliances and buy a 5 yr unconditional warranty.

[@PhantomRavn]

I would only buy a new appliance if it came with lifetime warranty

[@bgregg55]

Even if u found that it would not be your lifetime but the lifetime of the product as defined by the manufacturer. Read the fine print.

[@AlexanderLong]

What I do , is to do research on the model to see if I can find an repairs manual/diagram and if the spare parts can be found. And very often the simpler the design is, the better, not only it has less chance to break in the first place, also it means easier to repair.

[@Phlegethon]

So you obviously don’t have any appliance

[@PhantomRavn]

@@Phlegethon I save money buying used appliances, it never made sense to me spending thousands on new appliances that have the reputation of being unreliable

[@patriciablaine1469]

I’ll be showing my age by sharing my response however there is one manufacturer that must be out of business but made outstanding appliances. That manufactures was Inglis. I had a washer/dryer purchased in 1974 that worked faithfully for over 20 years. I gave the pair to my sister for one of her rental properties when I downsized by moving into a condo. Not sure how many more years they continued to work. The only repair in 29 years was replacing a belt in the dryer.

[@patriciablaine1469]

I meant for over 20 years instead of 29 years. Damn nails!

[@steventuvman3449]

Inglis= Whirlpool

[@weasellyone2]

I've had to repair all my appliances over the years. I've never been able to get the parts directly from the manufacturer. I've had to use online parts warehouses, Amazon or eBay. If they have the part it not available in Canada or they won't ship to Canada. Repair man told me a few years back don't waste your money on the higher prices or appliances loaded with tech as it is ALL garbage and to buy the stuff that has the least options.