Even if you're working with a tight budget, there are some areas where you shouldn't cut corners. Appliance repairs fall into that category.
Appliances rarely break down when it's convenient, in terms of time or money management. If you're living on a tight budget or a fixed income, the last thing you need is to pay an arm and a leg to fix a broken refrigerator, oven, or other appliance. But before you pick up the phone to call the cheapest appliance repair team in town, stop to think about what you're actually getting for your money.
Consider what you'd want from an appliance repair professional if money were no object. Would you choose the company with decades of experience? Would you ask for guaranteed same-day repairs? Would you pick the best possible warranty? Those things can make the difference between a satisfying and a frustrating customer service experience--and they might not cost as much as you think.
Obviously, you don't want to pay more than appliance repair service is worth. However, there are some pitfalls that come along with choosing low prices over all other characteristics. Those pitfalls include:

• Shoddy or inexperienced workmanship: Not all appliance repair experts are trained to the same level. A company might charge slightly more because its technicians are professionally trained and up to date on all of the newest appliance models. A cheaper company, on the other hand, might have self-taught repairmen who are new to the industry. While being self-taught is not necessarily a bad thing, you might feel more comfortable trusting a refrigerator repair expert who has more extensive training and a proven track record of success. Plus, the money you save on the initial repairs will go out the window if the unit breaks again due to shoddy workmanship or an error on the part of the technician.


• Poor or nonexistent warranties: Once your oven or dishwasher repairs are done, you want the unit to keep working long into the future. Unfortunately, even the most highly trained appliance repair expert can't see the future. That's where warranties come in. Would you rather have the labor and parts used in your appliance repairs guaranteed for one month or a full year? Choosing a company with a good warranty package might cost you a little more up front, but you can save money in the long run on future repairs.


• Slow service: What if your appliance breaks down right when you need it most? You need repairs with a quick turnaround time--which can cost you more than waiting three weeks for the next available appointment. In this situation, weigh the intangible costs of choosing low prices over fast appliance repair service. Will you end up losing both time and money taking your dirty clothes to the local laundromat, due to a broken washing machine? Will your broken stove make you unable to cook that celebration dinner you've been planning for your spouse? Basically, might speed, convenience, and comfort matter more than saving a few dollars?

In a perfect world, the company with the best qualifications and warranties would also offer the lowest prices for washing machine repairs or other services, and you wouldn't have to pay more for speedy service. Unfortunately, the saying "you get what you pay for" exists for a reason. The next time one of your appliances breaks down, do some comparison shopping before hiring a repairman. Decide what's most important to you and find a company with reasonable rates for that service or perk. Then you can be satisfied that even if you had to pay a little more than you would have liked, you've spent your money wisely.