There’s nothing worse than having an essential appliance break down. From washing machines to refrigerators, there’s no doubt we rely on these units to make our lives easier. When you’re scrambling to get your appliance fixed, there’s the risk of falling victim to an appliance repair scam. There are some dishonest people out there, so here are some tips that can get you out of trouble.

Don’t Pay First
Be cautious of any repairman who requests payment upfront. The technician may state that the money is needed for a back-ordered or hard to find part, but there can be consequences to giving them what they want. It’s quite possible that they’ll simply take your money and run, never to be seen again. Another warning sign is that the technician will ask for a check written personally to them rather than the repair company. Don’t give anyone money until the job is done. 

Are They Qualified?
Some scammers are known to lie about their experience and qualifications. The technician may claim to be “factory authorized” or that they do not require a license to work on your appliances. It’s possible they have an expired license or are completely unlicensed. Investigate the company or technician license details. A qualified technician should have no problem displaying their license and affiliations.

Cash Grabs 
This scam involves a repairman seeing that there isn’t a lot of work required to repair your appliance. However, they choose to tell you something completely different, claiming that your unit has a major repair problem. You could very well end up paying for expensive labour and parts that were unnecessary. Obtain a cost estimate beforehand and consult another technician for a second opinion. 

Trust Issues
Whatever you do, never leave a technician in your home alone to complete the job unsupervised. When your back is turned, the repairman might intentionally break another part of your appliance or cause some other kind of damage. This allows them to report this new issue with an offer to fix it. Don’t leave anyone, even the most pleasant seeming person, alone in your home.

There’s nothing worse than having an essential appliance break down. From washing machines to refrigerators, there’s no doubt we rely on these units to make our lives easier. When you’re scrambling to get your appliance fixed, there’s the risk of falling victim to an appliance repair scam. There are some dishonest people out there, so here are some tips that can get you out of trouble.

Don’t Pay First
Be cautious of any repairman who requests payment upfront. The technician may state that the money is needed for a back-ordered or hard to find part, but there can be consequences to giving them what they want. It’s quite possible that they’ll simply take your money and run, never to be seen again. Another warning sign is that the technician will ask for a check written personally to them rather than the repair company. Don’t give anyone money until the job is done. 

Are They Qualified?
Some scammers are known to lie about their experience and qualifications. The technician may claim to be “factory authorized” or that they do not require a license to work on your appliances. It’s possible they have an expired license or are completely unlicensed. Investigate the company or technician license details. A qualified technician should have no problem displaying their license and affiliations.

Cash Grabs 
This scam involves a repairman seeing that there isn’t a lot of work required to repair your appliance. However, they choose to tell you something completely different, claiming that your unit has a major repair problem. You could very well end up paying for expensive labour and parts that were unnecessary. Obtain a cost estimate beforehand and consult another technician for a second opinion. 

Trust Issues
Whatever you do, never leave a technician in your home alone to complete the job unsupervised. When your back is turned, the repairman might intentionally break another part of your appliance or cause some other kind of damage. This allows them to report this new issue with an offer to fix it. Don’t leave anyone, even the most pleasant seeming person, alone in your home.