20 votes

Don't buy new, fix the old: The repair business is booming

4 comments

  1. [4]
    envy
    Link
    Frankly google and youtube are the best things for the DIY repair culture. I found the problem, bought the part, and repaired both my dryer and fridge. I couldn't fix my 60's clothes washer, so I...

    Frankly google and youtube are the best things for the DIY repair culture.

    I found the problem, bought the part, and repaired both my dryer and fridge.

    I couldn't fix my 60's clothes washer, so I bought a new cheap one. Had to replace it within four years.

    12 votes
    1. Ranger
      Link Parent
      I complete agree on youtube being phenomenal for repair. I purchased a washer and dryer set from craigtslist for dirt cheap. The dryer was giving the guy some weird error and while it could have...

      I complete agree on youtube being phenomenal for repair. I purchased a washer and dryer set from craigtslist for dirt cheap. The dryer was giving the guy some weird error and while it could have fixed it, his wife wanted a new set so he decided to sell them. I brought them home, fixed the dryer and here we are 5 years later with no issues with either. Best $250 ever spent.

      6 votes
    2. [2]
      patience_limited
      Link Parent
      We've been keeping a nearly 20-year-old DLP TV running courtesy of YouTube. Replacing the color wheel (you would not believe the noise it makes as it fails) was a two-person job, one to...

      We've been keeping a nearly 20-year-old DLP TV running courtesy of YouTube. Replacing the color wheel (you would not believe the noise it makes as it fails) was a two-person job, one to remove/replace screws and connectors, while the other watched the instructions.

      It's not the YouTube platform alone, it's the tremendous population of creators generously sharing their knowledge and time that makes for such an amazing resource. I sincerely hope that the views are reimbursing them enough to make their efforts worthwhile.

      5 votes
      1. mightychicken
        Link Parent
        I wonder what awful ways companies might ruin it in the future. Fake/bad DIY videos? Bogus takedown requests? Not exactly the same thing, but I'm reminded of Casper buying out a mattress review...

        I wonder what awful ways companies might ruin it in the future. Fake/bad DIY videos? Bogus takedown requests?

        Not exactly the same thing, but I'm reminded of Casper buying out a mattress review site:
        https://www.vox.com/2017/9/23/13153814/casper-sleepopolis-lawsuits-mattress-reviews

        3 votes