LH Brubaker Appliance Repair, LLC of Lancaster Feels the Heat Over Shorter Warrantees

Lancaster LH Brubaker repair service company has a few tips to beat the manufacturers’ shrinking warrantees.

Appliance manufactures love to advertise new features, but they won't be hyping the new trend that began in 2005: shorter appliance warranties on refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, and other major appliances.

LH Brubaker repair service has been a permanent fixture in Lancaster since 1932 serving the tri-state area in sales and service. Owner Donald Frank, Sr. offered advice to his customers that may take some of the anxiety away from the appliance manufactures’ latest blow. “Purchase your appliances with a credit card that offers product insurance,” suggested Don.

In late 2005, appliance manufacturer including Frigidaire, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool shortened their warranties on refrigerators, ranges, washers, and other major appliances from two or three years to only one year, and it appears they have no intention of reestablishing the longer coverage. And, as far as their appliance extended warranties are concerned, they will also be adjusted.

One-year appliance warranties become the norm.

Shorter warranties went into effect Nov. 1, 2005, for Whirlpool, Roper, Estate, and Inglis brands, and on Jan. 1, 2006, for General Electric, Hotpoint, Americana, Maytag, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Frigidaire, White Westinghouse, Tappan, Gibson, and Kelvinator.

Pricier brands, such as KitchenAid, Jenn-Air and Electrolux, still offer longer warranties on some appliances and their parts. Viking offers a one-year warranty but doubles it if a Viking-certified installer does the work according to Consumer Reports.

In fact, all of the major manufacturers are looking at the data from their pricier competitors. If the numbers are going in the right direction, shorter warrantees may stimulate business for their GE Appliance repairs, their Whirlpool repair men and women; and, it may even bring the Maytag repair man out of retirement.

A typical warranty from an appliance manufacturer now covers parts and service for only one year from purchase. If a part breaks after that, you pay. Before the warranties got whacked down, pricey parts-refrigerator compressors and dishwasher tubs, for instance-were usually covered for 5 to 10 years. To get longer coverage today, you'll have to buy a separate extended appliance warranty, which will cost about $100 to $200 for three years.

Some appliance companies insisted that the changes did nothing more than make warranties simpler. One company spokesperson told us that consumers would benefit from this warranty change by having simplified terms and improved product quality and after-sales care. You're probably as confused as we are, but one thing is clear: consumers for the same price are getting less coverage.

Our Service Technicians are certified in all of these categories: small appliance repair, gas appliance repair, garbage disposal repair, electric dryer repair, washer and dryer repair.

At LHB Appliances & Pure H20, we not only greet you with a friendly sales person, but we will also back up any purchase with our own trained technicians. We are authorized under contract to repair your appliance if you should ever need it. We are there for you with one call. Our Service Technicians are certified in all of these categories: small appliance repair, gas appliance repair, garbage disposal repair, electric dryer repair, washer and dryer repair.

Contact Don, Sr., at 717-299-2351. Or visit the LH Brubaker website at: www.lhbrubakerappliances.com