Consumers Choose Repair Over Replacement:

How Your Business Can Benefit

By Dipa Gandhi

 

 

Read it to me! Click the video below.

 

As tariffs on appliances rise, consumers are looking for ways to save money. One of the most viable options for many is repairing appliances rather than replacing them. For appliance repair businesses, this shift in consumer behavior presents an opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for repair services.

The Growing Demand for Appliance Repairs

Recent tariff increases have led to higher costs for new appliances. For homeowners and businesses alike, the price tag of replacing a malfunctioning appliance is becoming harder to justify. Instead, many are opting for repairs, which offer a more cost-effective solution. For example, a new washing machine may cost upwards of $1,200, while repairing a malfunctioning one may only set a consumer back $200 to $400, depending on the issue.

This change in behavior is significant for businesses in the appliance repair industry. With more consumers choosing to repair rather than replace, appliance repair services have a golden opportunity to expand their customer base and boost revenue.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

This trend isn't just a short-term shift—it’s expected to grow. According to industry analysts, appliance repairs are set to increase in the coming years as the cost of new appliances rises. For appliance repair businesses, this represents a unique window of opportunity to capture market share before the market shifts again.

Here’s how your appliance repair business can capitalize on this trend:

• Increase Visibility: With more people seeking repair services, it’s critical to ensure your business shows up where potential customers are searching. Google Ads targeting high-intent keywords such as appliance repair and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) for local search can help put your business at the top of search results.
• Educate Your Customers: Many homeowners may not be aware of the full range of repair services you offer. Consider creating educational content—such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts—demonstrating how cost-effective and sustainable appliance repairs can be. Share success stories where a repair saved a customer significant money compared to buying a new appliance.
• Offer Maintenance Services: Beyond one-off repairs, consider offering ongoing maintenance plans. Customers may be more likely to invest in these services if they know it will prolong the life of their appliances and help avoid the cost of replacements in the future.
• Focus on Customer Experience: Now is the time to build long-term relationships with your customers. Offer transparent pricing, quick response times, and excellent customer service. If you provide an exceptional experience, customers are more likely to return when they need further repairs or recommend your services to others.

Real-Life Example

Take John, the owner of “All-Star Appliance Repair,” a family-owned business in a suburban area. When the tariffs on major appliances began to rise, he saw a noticeable increase in customers requesting repairs rather than replacements. To seize this opportunity, John quickly updated his online listings and launched a social media campaign highlighting how much customers could save by opting for a repair. As a result, his business saw a 35% increase in service calls over the next three months. The key takeaway here: timely marketing efforts can translate into real revenue.

For appliance repair businesses, the demand is there. Consumers are actively seeking ways to save money, and repairs are often the best option. By increasing visibility, educating your customers, and offering excellent service, your business can thrive in this new climate.