Repair or replace...

[Valerie in WA]

...my vacuum cleaner, that is. I'm leaning toward replace, and here is why: I bought it refurbished 3.5 years ago. It cost me $80, while a comparible new model would've cost $120-$135. If I replace it, I will go back to the same repair shop and hopefully find another refurbished - I like supporting local small businesses.

Here's why I should maybe repair: My frugal side says to always try to repair before just replacing. But where do you draw the line? $50 maybe? We already replaced all the filters, but I think the bearings are shot, as it has smelled 'hot' intermittently for a while, and today actually began to smoke. I could support the same small business by repairing.

WWYD?

[SHOPGIRL]

Well, since you want to support local businesses, I'd take it back to the repair shop and see how much it would cost to replace. Maybe get the shop owners recommendation. I'm assuming that you trust the local shop.

[Nada.Leona]

Perhaps see if the shop owner might consider giving you a discount, since you did come back to him with the original one he refurbished. Or perhaps you can convince him to trade it in, and he can use it for parts or try to refurbish it again.

[PrairieRose]

I wouldn't spend too much to repair it but honestly it sounds like you need a new belt or to take the beater bar off and see what's got it stuck and not turning.....those are the things that usually make one smoke, or have been for me in the past. I've taken the beater bar off found what I know had to have been a spool of thread (???) around the end where it's connected. That just made it too tight to turn properly.....You might just look at it first....
Otherwise if it's not either of those, I'd probably just buy another one for $80....I figure you can't go tooo wrong if you use for 4 or 5 or even many years longer, but if you got that much out of it that would justify it......right?

[dndylfe]

I was going to guess the belt too as the "hot" smell is always a dead giveaway on my machine---hopefully it is as that's a cheap fix.

Could you get an estimate before you decide to repair? Like, could they tell you how much work it would be and how many parts would need to be replaced before they started? That might help your decision as well.

[favesis37]

i thought i would be the bright one and suggest a belt! butyou guys beat me to it

[Valerie in WA]

Dh looked at it last night and found TONS of my daughters long hair wrapped around the beater bar. He removed it, but thinks we probably burned out the motor. It unfortunate that I didn't clean the hair away preventively.