Affordable appliance repair services are all over the place. When one of your pricey home appliances breaks down and you think that repairing it far outweighs buying a new one, how do you find an appliance repair company you can trust?

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Ask for referrals from people you trust. Word of mouth from a friend or a relative is always the best way to find a dependable appliance repair company. You can also ask your realtor for a referral. Many realty firms have a retainer on various companies offering repair services. Your realtor may know how to get in touch with one of the best companies in your area. Online forums dealing with repair services are also excellent sources of information. Customer feedback may be available right off those forums.

Examine the company’s history. Compare it with those of other appliance repair companies so you end up with the best one. If you should judge based on the ad alone, look for the words “licensed” and “insured.” The company’s state license must also be listed. Another possible indicator of a trustworthy company includes being in business for a long time with no changes to the company’s name or location. Listing in major business online directories, including Google Maps, SuperPages.com, Yahoo Local, and YellowPages.com, is also important. It means that the company is well established in the industry. An obscure one may be a scam or an inexperienced startup.

Consider the benefits of choosing a family-owned business against a large company. Local family-owned appliance repair businesses are more likely to give you personal attention. Large companies simply dispatch unknown technicians over to your home.

Call the company and ask to speak with the technician assigned to do the repair. You can ask how long the technician has been servicing home appliances. You can also politely frame your questions to uncover the technician’s previous clients and the types of repairs being done for them. Plus, when you briefly describe the problem, the technician should be able to point out possible diagnoses and estimates of repair costs for each. Stay away from an appliance repair service company that refuses to talk to you, except to mention its so-called “special offer.” You should be able to get an estimate from an appliance repair pro if you specify the problem over the phone.

And when you call the company, don’t forget to check if they allow you to pay with a credit card. Being able to accept credit card payments tells you that the company has passed the background check of a credit card company. Plus, it is much easier to complain about unsatisfactory service if you pay by credit card.
By K. Ong