(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 14, 2009 )
Appliance makers 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.

L. H. Brubaker Appliances has been a permanent fixture in Lancaster since 1932. As a family owned and operated business, the family atmosphere and warmth often extends to our customers. Water treatment was introduced to the appliance business in 1983 and since, our business has grown into your one stop shopping experience. Don Smith, Sr., offered advice to his customers that may take some of the anxiety away from the appliance manufactures’ latest blow. Don suggests that big-ticket appliances be purchased with a credit card that offers product insurance.

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 appliance extended 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 are getting less coverage for the same price.

This article was prepared by LHB Appliances and PureH2O Water Systems serving the Tri-State area from Lancaster, PA, in the sales and service of appliances and water treatment. As a family owned and operated business, the family atmosphere and warmth often extends to our customers. Water treatment was introduced to the appliance business in 1983 and since, our business has grown into your one stop shopping experience. Appliance sales and water treatment go hand-in-hand - this addition made perfect sense as the business grew. Over the past 24 years, PureH2O has become your premier partner in solving all your water needs.

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.

Manager, Don Frank, Sr., would be pleased to take your call with any question you may have. Contact Don, Sr., at 717-299-2351. Or research L. H. Brubaker at their web: www.lhbrubakerappliances.com

This article was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC.

Contact Information:
L.H. Brubaker Appliances
Don Frank, Sr.
Tel: 717-299-2351
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