Author: Judy Ortega

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Maximizing Your Property’s Potential: Tips and Tricks on realestate.com.au

When it comes to unlocking the full potential of your property, there are various strategies and insights that can make your property stand out in the fiercely competitive real estate market. In this article, we’ll delve into valuable tips and tricks inspired by the experts at realestate.com.au, one of Australia’s premier real estate platforms. We’ll also introduce you to the innovative concept of subscription appliances.

 

1. Enhance Curb Appeal:

First impressions matter, so invest in enhancing your property’s curb appeal. A well-maintained lawn, carefully trimmed hedges, and vibrant plants or flowers create an inviting atmosphere. Refresh the exterior paint, address any damaged features, and ensure your entrance is clean and welcoming. A visually appealing exterior sets the stage for a positive viewing experience.

2. Upgrade Interior Design:

Consider making strategic upgrades to your property’s interior design to make it more appealing to potential buyers or tenants. Refresh the walls with a fresh coat of neutral paint, update outdated fixtures, and replace worn carpets or flooring. Declutter and depersonalise the space to allow viewers to envision themselves in the home. Stylish furniture and tasteful decor can also enhance the overall ambiance.

3. Professional Photography and Virtual Tours:

To showcase your property in the best possible light, invest in professional photography and immersive virtual tours. High-quality images and virtual tours can significantly increase interest and engagement from potential buyers or tenants. Utilise realestate.com.au’s platform to effectively showcase your property’s features and unique selling points.

4. Subscription Appliances:

One innovative and cost saving strategy to maximise your property’s appeal is to offer subscription appliances. Subscription-based appliance services from companies like Bright, Feather, Joymode (offline in July 2023) or Whybuy allow you to provide high-quality appliances to tenants or for the purposes of staging without the upfront and unnecessary costs of purchasing them. 

5. Highlight Location Benefits:

Emphasise the location benefits of your property in your listing. Highlight nearby amenities, such as schools, parks, shopping centers, public transportation, and recreational facilities. Mention any upcoming developments or infrastructure improvements that may enhance the area’s desirability. Buyers and tenants often prioritise convenience and accessibility when choosing a property.

6. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

Incorporate energy-efficient features into your property to attract environmentally conscious buyers or tenants. Install LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and consider adding solar panels to reduce energy costs. Highlight sustainability initiatives like rainwater harvesting systems or eco-friendly building materials that contribute to a greener lifestyle.

7. Clear and Descriptive Listing:

Craft a compelling and informative listing description. Clearly communicate the property’s unique features, such as open floor plans, ample storage space, or stunning views. Include essential details such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and any recent renovations or upgrades. A well-written listing description captures the attention of potential buyers or tenants.

Maximising your property’s potential requires a combination of strategic efforts and innovative ideas. By following the tips and tricks outlined on realestate.com.au, you can enhance your property’s curb appeal, upgrade its interior design, utilise professional photography and virtual tours, and highlight location benefits. Additionally, incorporating subscription appliances can offer a unique selling point that adds convenience and flexibility for tenants.

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Discover the Best Places to Rent Appliances for Rental Properties in Australia

Renting appliances for your rental property in Australia can be a smart and convenient choice, allowing landlords to provide essential amenities to tenants without the upfront costs of purchasing appliances outright. In this article, we will explore some of the top places to rent appliances for rental properties in Australia, including the popular platform, WhyBuy.com.au.

1. Whybuy.com.au

Whybuy.com.au is a reputable online platform that specializes in appliance rentals for both residential and commercial properties. They offer a wide selection of appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and more. Their user-friendly website allows landlords to browse through different appliance options, choose rental periods that suit their needs, and easily complete the rental process online. WhyBuy.com.au provides flexible rental terms, competitive pricing, and reliable customer service, making it a popular choice among landlords in Australia.

2. Appliance Rental Companies

Several appliance rental companies operate nationwide in Australia, offering a comprehensive range of appliances for rental purposes. These companies, such as Mr. Rental, Radio Rentals, and Rent the Roo, provide an extensive selection of appliances for various property sizes and budgets. They often offer flexible rental agreements, including short-term and long-term options, and provide services like delivery, installation, and maintenance. These rental companies have established reputations and can be trusted to provide reliable appliances and excellent customer support.

3. Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and Rent.com.au can also be valuable resources for renting appliances for rental properties. Landlords can find a diverse range of appliances available for rent directly from individuals or local businesses. These platforms allow for direct communication and negotiation between landlords and renters, enabling them to discuss rental terms, delivery arrangements, and any additional services required.

4. Real Estate Agents:

Many real estate agents in Australia offer appliance rental services as part of their property management packages. Engaging a real estate agent to manage your rental property can provide a hassle-free experience, as they handle the entire process of sourcing appliances, coordinating delivery and installation, and managing ongoing maintenance. Real estate agents often have established relationships with appliance rental providers, ensuring smooth and efficient transactions.

5. Home Staging Companies:

Home staging companies specialize in furnishing and styling rental properties to enhance their appeal to potential tenants. While their primary focus is on showcasing properties for sale, they also offer appliance rental services. These companies can provide high-quality appliances for short-term rental, creating a visually appealing and functional living space for prospective tenants.

Renting appliances for rental properties in Australia offers numerous benefits, including cost savings and convenience for landlords. Whether you choose to rent appliances through WhyBuy.com.au, reputable appliance rental companies, online marketplaces, real estate agents, or home staging companies, there are various options available to suit your needs. Each option has its own advantages, so consider factors such as cost, reliability, flexibility, and support when selecting a rental provider. By making informed decisions, you can efficiently furnish your rental property with quality appliances, enhancing its desirability and attracting tenants.

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Repair or Replace Your Faulty Appliance? – A Short Guide to Help You Decide

As the old saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  Is one appliance in the hand worth two in the bush?  While I may have pushed that proverb a little far, the answer is not black and white.  Whether you will end up ahead financially by repairing your appliance instead of purchasing a replacement is in many ways dumb luck.  Whether you will save money on your next appliance purchase, or instead opt for repairing your appliance does depend on some factors within your control to skew the odds in your favour.

Repairing your appliance instead of making your next appliance purchase?

There’s two different approaches you can take in repairing your appliance to avoid your next appliance purchase.  You can attempt the repair yourself, or you can call out a professional repairer to help out by repairing your appliance for you.  If you decide to try repairing your appliance yourself, they are for the most part modular, and for popular brands and models like LG, Electrolux, Bosch, Samsung, LG, Miele, Hisense, Haier and Asko, you can often find guides to help you on Google, Youtube and in forums.  If you’re working with a cheaper less reputable brand, you’ll struggle to find guides and videos, and you’re likely to also have a hard time finding any parts.  Having a go at repairing an appliance yourself is not a bad way to go if you have a level of mechanical aptitude and understanding of electrical safety.  It goes without saying that you need to unplug the appliance before repairing your appliance, and you need to watch out for capacitor discharge even when unplugged – especially with microwaves.  Remember – there’s no point to save money on professional appliance repair if it comes at the expense of your life.  Another downside to repairing your appliance yourself is that you have to figure out how it all comes apart, which screws go where, and try not to break things.  You won’t know how much force to apply in many cases, and what’s normal, so the probability of breaking something while trying to access the part you need is pretty high.  Finally if you attempt  repairing your appliance and then give up on it, and decide to get a professional for repairing your appliance, they’re going to charge you more to work on the shambles you’ve left the appliance in, and you’d want to hope they’re damn good at their job.  If you’ve unplugged a whole bunch of wires and don’t know where they go anymore (always take photos before you unplug and disassemble!) you’re going to need a model specialist to put it all back together.  $$$.  That said if you’re staring down the barrel of your next appliance purchase and you intend to send this appliance to the scrapheap you don’t have a lot to lose by working on it yourself, provided you are competent enough not to kill yourself trying to save money on appliance work.  Most of the time an appliance fails it is usually just a minor part that’s a quick job to fix, and once the diagnostics is done correctly it’s often not that hard to replace the part with a Youtube guide.

Now if you’re thinking about calling a professional in, there are some downsides, particularly if you live in a country with high wages like Australia.  For starters you’re usually going to pay a callout fee of at least $150.  A technician will come out and evaluate the appliance and provide an assessment on repairing your appliance.  If it’s an expensive repair or not worth doing, that’s the end of your money and onto your next appliance purchase.  If you have a common brand you might be lucky and the repairer might have the part in their van.  If not, another visit and more money.  Sometimes parts can take weeks to arrive as well, so prepare to be without for a while.  For fridges it’s also worth noting that they may need to be turned off completely for a few days to return normal function as part of the repair, so if having a faulty fridge completely offline for a few days is out of the question, time to move onto your next appliance purchase.    You also want to make sure your appliance repairer guarantees not only their work, but that their work will mean the trouble free operation of the appliance for at least a few months.  Many don’t offer this, and if the appliance is misdiagnosed or needs further work, not only are you on the hook for more money, you’re pot committed at this point and more likely to throw good money after bad.

A big consideration in deciding on repairing your appliance or going ahead with your next appliance purchase is in its value.  What’s it worth?  Anything worth less than the callout fee of the appliance repairer plus the cost of parts, is not worth repairing.  Newer brand name appliances like Fisher and Paykel Electrolux LG and Samsung, and certainly most Mieles and Askos less than 5 years old can be worth repairing.  You want to be careful that your appliance is not at the end of its useful life as well.  I once had a Miele washing machine I loved, and every few months something would break – the machine was just past its designed life.  I had to let it go.  Appliance failures all follow the bathtub curve, there’s a lot of failures in the first few months, then they’re very reliable for many years, then they start reaching the end of their life and need major overhaul to continue in service.  The design life for most brand name appliances is at least 10 years.

Another big consideration is in the symptoms you are having, and below we have a very general guide to inform you before you potentially waste money on a needless call out fee to tell you the appliance is dead.

  • Dryer:  If the drum struggles to start spinning or doesn’t spin heavier loads its usually the motor capacitor, a very cheap part, $3 for an aftermarket one at trade prices, usually marked up to $50 by the technician.  For dryers if you just have a cheap vented one, even a brand name like Simpson Fisher and Paykel or Electrolux, they’re not worth repairing as they are pretty cheap new.  You’re often better off saving money on appliance repair and buying refurbished appliances from a reputable seller.  If the appliance is a heatpump or condenser dryer, they are usually worth fixing, but bear in mind you can usually get a good price for them broken on Facebook marketplace or gumtree.com.au as well. Resellers are always looking for broken to stock to buy to repair or as parts, a broken brand name condenser or heatpump dryer is worth $50-$200 broken.
  • Fridge:  First check your thermostat is set on coldest and not warmest.  I can’t count how many fridges I have seen where the customer thought it was too hot, but they had set it to its hottest setting thinking it was its coldest setting.  If the fridge is too warm but the freezer is cooling adequately the problem is generally a defrost or fan fault and easily fixable.  Or you’ve left the doors open and need to defrost the appliance by turning it off a few days and waiting for the ice to melt out.  It doesn’t hurt to turn it off a few days if you can with the doors open and see if the problem resolves.  If it does, and the issue doesn’t repeat in the next month, problem solved.  If it does repeat after a week or a few weeks have passed its likely an issue with the defrost heater or defrost timer.  If it doesn’t fix the issue its usually a fan.  Now if the freezer is too warm and the fridge is too warm, its either a faulty compressor overload or start switch, which is relatively easily fixed, but could also be refrigerant loss, compressor failure or a blocked refrigeration system which is expensive to fix and usually not done.  A broken fridge is worth $0-$200 broken depending on symptoms, brand and model.
  • Frontloader washing machine:  If the water isn’t draining often the filter is clogged, most of the time with money.  Get paid to fix your own machine!  Check the filter.  If that doesn’t resolve the issue its often the drain pump.  Most machines accept a universal pump that trade buys at $10, retails at $25.  Cheap and easy.  If the drum isn’t spinning and the machine is a direct drive it could be a number of things but probably the motor controller – a relatively rare issue.  If the machine is much louder on spin than usual, it’s usually the drum bearing and not worth repairing.  If the machine is a cheaper machine and not direct drive or inverter and the drum has stopped spinning (especially if it spins but just won’t spin at the spin cycle part) it may just need motor brushes which are cheap and easy to replace.  If it leaks water from the detergent drawer it’s usually a water valve, cheap and easy.  If it overfills its usually pretty easy to fix as well, a problem with the sensor or sensor tube, or it can just be an air bubble where it shouldn;t be especially if you’ve just moved the washing machine.  If the machine is taking too long to wash you’re usually overloading it, and it’s trying to balance the load for ages before it spins.  If it vibrates a lot the shock absorbers may need replacement, which is relatively cheap and easy.  If it’s not spinning things dry as well as it used to 9 times out of 10 the customer has set the spin speed lower.  A  broken frontloader is worth around $100-$200 broken depending on symptoms, brand and model.
  • Toploader washing machine:  The same as for frontloader washing machines except if the machine isn’t draining there usually isn’t a filter to check.  If the machine is going out of balance a lot, either you are overloading it, or it needs new shock absorbers.  Toploaders are worthless broken in most cases, and of all the appliances hold onto their value the most poorly.
  • TV:  If its not one of the PCB control boards its usually not worth repairing.  If you really know what you’re doing you can find the exact component on the PCB that’s faulty and replace that for just a few dollars.  Broken screens and LEDs are usually not worth replacing, or glued in, and not replaceable.  Worthless broken in most cases.
  • Microwave:  Not worth repairing, too cheap to buy refurbished or new.  Especially dangerous to work on because of capacitor discharge even when unplugged.  Worthless broken in most cases.
  • Dishwasher:  Very difficult to work on, and in most cases not worth repairing.

Making your next appliance purchase instead of repairing your appliance?

So you’ve decided it’s easier to replace your appliance instead of repairing it.  It certainly has its upside, but there are also significant downsides here, and it can be a complex and time consuming operation especially if you try to save money on appliance by looking for refurbished appliances or used appliances for your next appliance purchase.  There are many ways to shop for appliances, but it’s important that you do your research and don’t get caught up in the hype. Before making a purchase, make sure that you know what features are important to you and how long the appliance will last.

Buying new appliances

Usually the most expensive way to acquire your appliance.  The main upside is you should have a reliable appliance from a reputable seller with a reliable warranty that will be honoured – but there are big downsides as well.  Buying a new appliance sees you fall foul of the bathtub curve we talked about earlier.  Brand new appliances are terribly unreliable for the first few months even up to the first year before settling into reliable service.  This is a result of human error largely – manufacturing defects and errors in assembly.  Aside from this the other major downside is the expense, and the immediate depreciation when it leaves the showroom floor.  If you thought buying a new car was bad, try selling a high end fridge you just bought a month ago.  You can expect it to have lost at least 60% straight away, closer to 80% after a year or so.  While this is bad news for those who buy new it can mean you can pickup a pretty new appliance used, on the right side of the bathtub curve for much less than you’d spend buying new.  Seems like an obvious way to save money on appliance purchases.  Right?  Unfortunately, not and it comes down to the main upside of buying new.  You lose the reputable seller with a reliable warranty that will be honoured, and that can quickly end up costing you more than the if you had bought new, and for the most part you can’t be sure how old the refurbished appliance is, and which end of the bathtub curve it will fall.

 

Buying used or refurbished appliances

The good news when making your next appliance purchase a refurbished appliance is the savings.  The main downside to making your next appliance purchase a used or refurbished appliance is the uncertainty.  Will it work?  Will my warranty be honoured by the seller?  If the appliances are refurbished appliances, are they really?  One tip is to ask the seller if they have the original purchase receipt, then you can have a lot more certainty that it’s pretty new – but expect to pay a bit more.  This tip will only work with a private seller as well, and you’d probably need to be able to move the appliance yourself.  A tip when buying from an appliance retailer or appliance reseller is to always pay with a credit or debit card, as a seller who offers this payment method is unlikely to rip you off, as you could always issue a chargeback for a bad machine.  When buying a used appliance, it’s largely about avoiding being scammed, and we’ve written some articles to help you spot the scams and minimise your chances of being duped. 

Is it cheaper renting?

Which is cheaper renting, or buying?  Traditional rental is usually just money lending at exorbitant interest rates.  And when it isn’t it’s usually geared towards short term, with very high rates. Generally it is not cheaper renting and you won’t save money on appliance acquisition by renting.  Rent to buy is usually the worst way you could possibly acquire your new appliances, and it won’t be cheaper renting appliances on a short term basis either. Other than the very high weekly or monthly payments, where you pay for the appliance two or three times over, if anything goes wrong with it, and it’s out of warranty, well that’s your problem  If it needs repair or replacement, you will still be expected to pay the rental for the term of the contract.  You won’t save money on appliance rental, that is for sure!

Subscription Appliances

Subscription appliances is similar to renting, but there are some major differences.  Subscription appliances combines the flexibility of short term rental with lower pricing and a long term outlook.  Instead of buying or renting, you subscribe to your appliances.  There are usually no lock in contracts so you can return whenever you want, and you can easily upgrade or downgrade your appliances, or upsize or downsize as your life changes.  You no longer have to worry about moving appliances from place to place either, and if they break or develop a fault, that’s not your problem!  In fact you’re paying for working appliances, not faulty ones, and if the subscription appliance business doesn’t deal with the issue quickly enough for you, you can easily vote with your wallet and return them.  Theoretically you could cancel your order and make a new order after pickup.  Subscription appliances reverses all of the risks of faulty appliances back onto the people providing them, the people who are best equipped to deal with these issues.  Instead of repairing your appliance, purchasing a refurbished appliance, wondering whether it is cheaper renting – subscription appliances are a worthwhile consideration for your next appliance acquisition.

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Saving Tips for International Students

Finding an apartment or house to rent in a foreign country is more challenging than you might think. Here are our tips for international students who want to find their new home!

 

Renting in a Foreign Country

Renting in a foreign country can be more complicated than signing a lease in the US. Most landlords expect tenants to sign year-long leases, which means you have to move out at the end of your contract. Landlords don’t want their property to sit vacant, so they often require that tenants pay rent on time and are prepared to terminate contracts if necessary.

In many countries where English is not widely spoken or understood, there is no grace period for paying rent (e.g., 30 days). Rather than waiting until month’s end before paying your landlord for his/her hard work, it’s best to let them know as soon as possible that you’ll be moving out soon so that they can plan accordingly—and maybe even give them some extra money!

In the United States is it standard to sign a lease for housing. When renting an apartment or house, tenants are responsible to pay rent every month as stated in their lease agreement and must abide by the rules listed in the contract. However, renting a house or apartment in a foreign country is more complicated than just signing on the dotted line. Some things international students need to know about renting include: contracts are usually written in the local language; there is usually no grace period to pay rent; most landlords expect tenants to sign year-long leases; and that finding housing before arriving is beneficial.  Heres a few pointers:

  • Contracts are usually written in the local language.
  • There is usually no grace period to pay rent as it’s due on the first day of each month.
  • Most landlords expect tenants to sign year-long leases, which means you should plan ahead about what you will need for your stay abroad and how long you’ll be there.

Living Expenses

Living expenses are one of the most important aspects of an international student’s budget. You’ll need money for rent, food, transportation and miscellaneous costs like laundry or getting a haircut.

The best way to budget for these expenses is by looking at your overall budget and then breaking it down into categories (rent; food; transportation). Once you have a rough idea of how much you need each month, look at what’s available in your area — whether that be on Craigslist or through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends who live there — and start shopping!

If it turns out that your budget is too tight or loose compared to what other students with similar financial backgrounds are paying on their own houses/apartments/condos around town, then think about ways in which you can save more money by cutting back elsewhere — maybe buying less clothing so as not go over clothing allowances? Or maybe taking advantage of cheaper utilities (gasoline/electricity) instead of going crazy with high bills every month?

Most students budget for their expenses prior to departure. However, living costs vary across cities and countries and most students find their budgets often stretch further than expected. In particular, international students find living costs in Japan and Canada are less expensive than those of other countries. Accordingly, it’s important to understand what kind of lifestyle you want while abroad because your rent will be your biggest expense followed by transportation and food. If you have never traveled before or rented an apartment or house before then renting a place can be confusing but not difficult if done properly!

 

Navigating Public Transportation

If you’re traveling by public transportation, it’s important to know how to buy a ticket and what your options are.

  • When purchasing tickets at a vending machine or station: You can use cash machines or credit cards.
  • When using the automated kiosks that accept coins and bills: You’ll need exact change (in U.S dollars) or only exact change if you’re paying with Euro notes; otherwise, select “credit card” and then enter your PIN number as instructed on screen (the default is 1234).
  • In order for this system to work correctly, make sure that all passengers have their fare before entering an elevator or escalator; otherwise, it will not be able to process the correct amount of money from all passengers’ accounts!

We hope this article helped you understand how to budget and prepare for living abroad as an international student.

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5 Things International Students Should Consider When Moving

Moving abroad is an exciting and terrifying prospect. It’s tempting to rush into it without giving yourself time to think about what you might need as a student, but doing so could end up costing you money in the long run. You’re going to be living in a new country for at least six months and maybe even longer, which means making sure that your move will be smooth and enjoyable is key. Here are five tips on how to make sure your international student experience goes smoothly:

The Country

  • The country you move to is important.

  • The country you move to will have a big impact on your life.

  • The country you move to should be somewhere that makes sense for you, and where people can be happy with their lives and get what they need out of it.

Weather and Travel
Weather can be a big factor in where you live. It’s important to know what kind of weather you’re getting into before making a decision, so do some research on the area and read up on their weather patterns.
Travelling can also be expensive, stressful and fun all at once! If this is something that interests you then make sure it’s worth the money spent on travel expenses (and don’t forget about your student loans). Be sure that whatever country or continent you end up living in has good public transportation systems which will help keep costs down while still allowing for convenience and ease of access throughout your daily routine as an international student living abroad.

Housing

  • Renting is often the best way to go for international students. However, it’s important to note that you may pay a premium for renting in your new city.

  • You may be surprised by how much space you need and what kind of furniture you need. Expect to spend more money than if you were living with roommates at home!

  • If possible, try looking at apartments before renting one of them; this will help make sure that everything works out like it should. It will also give you an idea of where things are located so that when moving day comes around (and there will be many), everything doesn’t feel like a huge ordeal!

Entertainment

  • Find a way to stay entertained.
  • Meet people, and make new friends.
  • Stay connected with family and friends back home.
  • If you’re going to be studying in a foreign country, it’s important that you learn some basic phrases in your host country’s language so that you can communicate with the locals when needed (like ordering food or asking for directions). This will also help keep up-to-date on local events and news—which might have changed since your last visit!

Food

Food is a huge part of the culture shock you’re going to experience when moving abroad. But don’t worry—it’s not as bad as it sounds! Here are a few things you can expect to eat in your new country:
  • French fries and burgers. These are staples for Americans and Canadians, but they’re also popular in other countries around the world (including Singapore). If you’re craving something salty and greasy, try ordering some deep-fried fish or chicken wings at your local restaurant instead of ordering pizza or pasta.
  • Curry rice with chicken/pork/bacon/chicken feet (if available). Many people enjoy Asian foods like this one when they visit their home countries; however, they might find them less familiar than their native fare because there aren’t many places where these types of dishes are readily available outside Asia itself (unless someone happens upon an Indian place while travelling abroad). However, even if there aren’t any such places nearby ,you can still try finding some authentic ones near where you live!

When you move abroad, it’s pretty hard to change things. Make sure you’re moving somewhere you know you’ll be happy!

  • You won’t be able to change things. This may sound obvious, but this is often overlooked when planning your move abroad. Try not to stress out over the fact that your life will be different once you leave home and start a new chapter of life in another country—you’ll have more freedom than ever before and can make decisions about where and how to live based on what feels right for yourself instead of someone else’s expectations of how things should be done. Plus, research shows that people who embrace change tend toward being happier than those who don’t (1). So if there were ever any doubt: yes—changing everything can lead towards greater happiness!
  • You should prepare for the worst case scenario by making sure all necessary documents are ready beforehand so nothing gets lost during the move itself (2). Then again…if something does happen along the route such as theft or loss…don’t worry; there are resources available online like PackingGuide which provides tips on packing safely while avoiding common mistakes people make when moving abroad (3).


In conclusion, moving abroad is a great opportunity for students to experience something new. It can be hard to adapt to a new culture and environment, but you can do it!

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Your old appliance is worth more than you think- before you throw it, consider selling it.

 
Whether you’re looking to replace an old appliance or just looking for a way to get rid of the one that’s been sitting in the garage since you moved in, there are plenty of options. And while it may seem like an overwhelming task at first glance, it doesn’t have to be! In fact, selling and replacing your appliances is actually easier than you might think—and it could save you some cash along the way.
 
Your dishwasher is worth more than you think.
  • Your dishwasher is worth more than you think.
     
  • Appliance buyback programs: If your appliance is still under warranty, it’s worth contacting the manufacturer to see if they’ll take it back. You may be able to trade your old appliance in for a new one at an attractive price—or even get cash back!
     
  • Appliance rental programs: Many people use their newer appliances as rental property because they don’t have room for them at home. But if this isn’t working out for you and there are no other options available (like selling), then consider renting out your old appliances through these companies so others can enjoy them instead of cluttering up space in their homes or garages. This way, everyone wins!
     
 
Do some research.
Before you sell your old appliance, do some research. You want to make sure that you’re getting the best price for it. Check out local classifieds and online sales sites like eBay and Craigslist. Make sure that any buyer can see the item in person so they can make an informed decision about its condition before buying it.
 
If you have an old appliance sitting in storage or outside somewhere, consider selling it—but only after doing some research on what kind of money people are willing to pay for similar items at that time period (if there’s an antique market).
 
Check to see if your appliance has a buy back or exchange program.
  • Check if your appliance has a buy back or exchange program. This is offered by the manufacturer, and it’s typically not available at all retailers. It may require you to send in your old appliance, so make sure you have proof of purchase if this is something that concerns you.
     
  • Consider renting an appliance instead of buying one new (especially if it’s just for a short period). Renting can be cheaper than buying new and it lets you try out different models before making a commitment on one model over another.
     
  • Wanting to buy some updated appliance units while not having enough cash? Trade-ins are your way to go. There are stores who would offer value to used goods and have this service arrangement to their valued customers in partnership with brands.
     
 
Try selling it yourself.
 If you’re not sure what to do with your old appliance, try selling it yourself. You can often find a buyer online or via classified ads in newspapers and on Craigslist. Check out Amazon and Ebay too — they usually have plenty of people looking for used appliances at good prices. Local appliance stores may also be willing to buy your old appliance if they know about its value as well as how much money you’d get from selling it (and whether or not they’d pay more than the store).
If none of these options work out for you, consider finding a repair shop that will buy your old machine—they’ll probably give you an estimate first before buying anything so that they know what kind of deal they’re getting themselves into!
 
Consider donating your old appliance and getting the tax benefit.
If you’re considering donating your appliance, here are some things to keep in mind:
  • You will have to pay extra for shipping. This can add up quickly if you need to ship several items at once and it will cost more than just sending it home yourself.
     
  • You may not get a tax deduction for the full value of the item (it depends on the type of donation). The IRS says that they only allow deductions up to $500 per item, but many charities give much more than that as part of their program.
     
  • If there’s any chance that someone could use this old appliance again someday (say, if it was donated by someone who moved away), then they should probably keep it around because they never know when they might need something like this again!

      
Selling and replacing home appliances isn’t as hard as it seems.
There are many ways to get rid of your old appliances. You can sell them, donate them, rent them out or give them away to someone who needs one.
If you’re looking at selling your appliance online and want to get the most money possible, there are several websites that offer free listings on their sites. These include Gazelle and OfferUp (which was recently purchased by Facebook).
If you don’t have time or energy enough to clean out your entire home before selling it off completely with an open house or yard sale—or even just a few rooms—you might want something more hands-on than just listing items in a virtual store front; this is where Craigslist comes in handy again!
 
There are many ways to get rid of your old appliances and make some money in the process. If you’re tired of trying to figure out what needs to be done but don’t have the time or energy, consider selling them through an online auction site like eBay or Craigslist. You’ll get a lot more than just a new appliance when you do this though because it’s also possible to sell your used ones for even more money! The next step is making sure that everything stays safe until after your auction date so that no one breaks into our house and steals any valuables from inside before we go shopping for replacements tomorrow morning 🙂
 
 
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5 Questions to Ask About Appliance Ownership Before Buying a New Appliance

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge into new appliance ownership and buying a new appliance for your home, there are a lot of questions that go through your mind. Is the brand reliable? How much does it cost? Can I get financing? What’s the warranty like? And what if something breaks down after the warranty runs out?
In this article, we’ll answer these questions and help walk you through some other considerations like renting versus buying.

 

Some well known reliable appliance brands include Fisher and Paykel, LG, Samsung, Electrolux, Simpson, Miele, and Asko.  If the brand isn’t well known its reliability is less certain, and it will usually be cheaper, but also more cheaply built, and generally less reliable.  This doesn’t always hold true though, new brands coming onto the market who want to build long term trust with their customers will often offer their appliances cheaply even though they are well built to encourage customers to buy therm.  Haier is a relatively new Chinese brand that can offer good value as its relatively cheap, but mostly uses the same expensive components as more expensive appliance brands like Fisher and Paykel.
Appliance ownership is as much a right as buying a home or having a child.  Customers should have a right to appliance ownership, but for many consumers it is simply not a good fit.  With the appliance ownership model you’re not just paying for the new appliance; you’re also paying for all the maintenance and replacement costs that come with it.   
The initial purchase price of a new appliance can cost anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars, so it’s worth doing your research to find an appliance to fit your needs and budget. Miele and Asko are very expensive but have a reputation for reliability, parts availability, and long warranties.  Fisher and Paykel, LG, Samsung, Electrolux, Simpson, and Haier are also great brands, which cost much less than Miele or Asko, but are still relatively expensive. You can expect parts availability for around 5 years at least, and they come with 2-5 year warranties. Then there are the cheaper brands which have OK warranties, and unknown reliability, usually good for at least a few years, with spotty parts availability.  Finally, there are the ALDI and Kogan specials – they are usually very cheap with reasonable reliability.  The downside here is that if a part breaks out of warranty, in most cases there is no parts availability – at least in this authors experience.  The way these businesses typically deals with a warranty repair is either to swap out the appliances, or more often, issuing a refund.  So once your warranty is done, if a minor part breaks, you need to bodge it or throw it away, and buy a new appliance.  If you’re keen on sustainable appliance ownership, you want to stick with the reliable brands with parts availability and good build quality, otherwise odds are the appliance will have a shorter life and be irreparable if anything breaks.
For older buyers who have had a chance to build a good credit rating finance options may be available or purchasing with a credit card.  For younger buyers purchasing on finance the only options may be buy now pay later services such as AfterPay, Zip or Klarna.  If you’re considering purchasing an appliance on credit, you should consider renting versus buying, especially if you’re considering either the top end or bottom end of the market, or only need the new appliance for a relatively short amount of time.
 
Renting vs Buying

 

Traditional appliance rental is usually a much worse deal than just buying the appliance on credit.  It’s usually a contract of 2-3 years over which time you pay double to triple what the new appliance would have been to just buy new.  Now let’s compare buying new and renting versus the world of subscription appliances

 

The world of subscription appliances distinguishes itself against appliance rental and new appliances in two key ways.  Firstly, the appliances are fully serviced.  If there’s ever any problem you make a call and swap out appliances for functional ones at no cost.  No more worries about warranties, unlike appliance ownership you never have to deal with repairs or warranties, you effectively have a lifetime warranty.  Secondly, there’s no lock in contracts.  Once you’re finished with the appliances so is your financial commitment.  Another great benefit is being able to swap out appliances as often as you like. If an appliance isn’t meeting your needs, swap out appliances for a different model or downgrade to a smaller model.  While renting a new appliance is very similar to subscribing to a new appliance, there are some key differences which make the world of subscription appliances a totally different value proposition and a great way to save money.
We hope this article has given you some insight into key factors to consider when buying a new appliance as well as the world of subscription appliances. The best way to make an informed decision is by doing your research and talking to professionals in the industry who specialize in rental equipment. We wish you all the best of luck with your decisions!
 
 
 
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Renting, leasing, or subscribing to an appliance? How does everything work?

There are several ways Australian homes can access appliances or the advantages of using an appliance for a set length of time, each with its own special features and advantages. These include renting, renting-to-own, leasing, laundromatting,  and subscribing.

 

What are some typical Australian motivations for leasing, renting, or purchasing an appliance?

 

  • To try out an item not previously used or  infrequently used, like a condenser dryer or heat pump dryer for a few months before deciding whether to buy it. (Try before purchasing!)
  • Only subscription services often provide premium appliance repair, replacement, or warranty options.
  • With long-term leases or subscriptions, one may obtain high-value appliances without incurring significant up-front costs.
  • Many users in Australia use rental appliances to control their cash flow.   Renting and subscribing to refrigeration and washing appliances fits perfectly.
  • Upgrading to the newest technology is popular in Australia, where customers frequently seek out the latest on trend appliances from air purifiers to robot vacuums. The ‘Upgrade anytime’ desire is  well satisfied by rentals and subscription services.
  • Younger generation: There is a generational transition; GenZ and Millennials seek to receive or experience advantages rather than possess them. This change is seen across all industries. As an illustration, one may get more value from a shared washing machine while only contributing what they really use.
  • Universities, hostels, AirBnb’s, co-living spaces, worker dorms, service flats, and co-living spaces frequently rent, lease, or subscribe to appliances for their tenants.
  • For landlords or tenants, renting or subscribing to equipment that corresponds to the length of a residential lease can be very convenien



Want to subscribe to an appliance with Whybuy?

 

1. Choose a Product

Choose the most up-to-date appliance that meets your requirements for superior performance, usability, and energy savings.

2. Subscribe

Choose a monthly membership plan with a set cost!

3. Supply and setup

Within 5 days*, you may have your goods delivered and installed! Our staff will set up your new appliance and offer advice on how to make the most of its capabilities. Additionally, we will remove your old appliance completely free!

4. Total tranquility of mind

Our hassle-free guarantee, which covers your product for the whole term of your subscription, gives you complete peace of mind. If, on the off chance, there is a problem with your appliance that cannot be fixed remotely in a matter of minutes, we will provide you a like-for-like replacement within 48 hours.

 

Please check out our FAQ section if you have any other queries regarding our subscriptions.

 

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Whybuy: A sustainable platform for appliance subscriptions: Making Life Simple

Consumers want more sustainable appliances but manufacturers are not keeping up Today’s global market for home appliances is expected to satisfy a variety of customer needs, with sustainability usually being an afterthought, behind price, and features.  There has been a definite shift in consumer preferences when it comes to selecting home appliances as a result of the digitisation of the globe, as well as a growing middle class and greater consumer spending.


90% of customers are prepared to pay extra for a company that gives back to society, and two thirds of global consumers are now willing to pay more for sustainable products. Nearly 75 percent of worldwide consumers now believe that it is more crucial for businesses to act sustainably than they did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, proving that the epidemic has undoubtedly hastened this trend. The same percentage of people think it is their duty to lessen their own carbon impact. These shifts offer considerable potential for manufacturers, and will eventually force them to make more substantive investments in innovation and scale efficiencies.

 

Are appliance rentals and subscriptions part of the solution?

It is not a novel idea for consumers to rent or subscribe to appliances as a service rather than purchasing them.  Appliance rental has been dominated in recent years by business models that are more akin to high interest loans to those with poor credit who cannot afford to buy what they need.  Its poor rate of acceptance, may also be partially explained by customers’ conditioning to replace rather than repair, persists even now.   Repair carries too many risks in markets with high labor costs and often costs more than the replacement value of the appliance.  The use of more widely available components in appliances is also a need for producers if they want to increase the possibility of repair. parts that are simple to get and seldom go out of production (even years after an appliance has been purchased).

 Since this is an issue that affects the whole industry, Whybuy recognized an opportunity to study how a circular business model, which is nearly the exact opposite of its existing operating strategy, may be successful. 

 

Redefining ownership in relation to customers and appliances

By providing customers with a completely flexible end-to-end appliance subscription service that includes setup, delivery, servicing, damage cover, and a 48-hour guaranteed like-for-like replacement policy, Whybuy flips the appliance ownership paradigm on its head. Whybuy offers total peace of mind to its consumers while also sparing them the hefty up-front fees of purchasing an appliance brand new, or the inherent risk of being scammed  when buying used.

 

Home equipment including fridges, TVs, microwaves , and washing machines may be rented at Whybuy. Customers may easily have the appliance picked up and delivered when they are done using it; this service is included in the cost. In order to ensure that more appliances are handled and disposed of properly at the end of their lives to lessen their impact on the environment, Whybuy also provides its customers with the option to have home appliances collected and disposed of responsibly.

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The Three Most Important Appliance Success Factors for Satisfaction when Acquiring Appliances 

The appliance market is booming, and it’s no surprise that there are so many brands vying for your attention – some with deep cash discounts. But what is the right choice? How do you know which one is right for your needs? In this post we’ll explore the three most important factors for success in subscription appliances: brand, model and method of acquisition.

Brand
Brand is the first of the appliance success factors we will cover when choosing an appliance. For an appliance brand to be successful, it must deliver on its brand promise.  A brand promise is an expectation of quality and service that you have when dealing with a particular business or person. If the brand itself promises good quality products at affordable prices and meets the customers expectations in a previous sale, then customers will trust those promises more than ones made by other businesses who may offer cash discounts  and cheaper options.
Different brands have different promises. Electrolux, LG, Bosch, Fisher and Paykel, Samsung, Miele, and Asko all have their brand promises.  Fisher and Paykel is a relatively expensive brand, with the promise that it will last a long time and parts will be available for many years.   Miele and Asko are very expensive brands which come with extra prestige, with the promise of the highest quality, some confusing buttons which will mean no one but you can use it, and very long parts availability.  If you are considering buying one of these expensive brands, especially if you will be buying on finance and making monthly payments, you really ought to consider the subscription appliance market or subscription services instead.  Subscription services lets you to subscribe to an appliance usually with monthly payments instead of owning it outright, meaning you essentially have a lifetime warranty on the subscription appliance.  More on the subscription appliance market later.
 
Model
Model is the second most important of the three appliance success factors to consider.  There are two main things to watch out for in model.  First try and avoid buying a fresh brand new design, and this can be a bit difficult.  The fresh designs will usually be the most fashionable and often have cash discounts – but they come with a problem.  When a new model type first hits the market it often has design flaws – and you won’t know about them because there won’t be any reviews to go off yet – all you can do is trust the brand.  These design flaws often cannot be fixed, they’re just lemons.  Some brands are constantly updating their models – Samsung and LG are notorious for releasing a new design seemingly every 5 minutes.  Other brands like Fisher and Paykel tend to make incremental changes.  For example Fisher and Paykel fridges have the same basic design they have had for the last 30 years, and their frontloader washers for the last 6 years.  They don’t risk releasing a lemon and wasting time on gimmicky addons, but the downside is they might not seem as cutting edge and fashionable as other brands. 
The second consideration here we’ve already touched on – check out the customer reviews for the model online.  In fairness these are usually skewed to the negative, as customers who are dissatisfied about their appliance from a big business are much more likely to vent their negative experience than a positive experience.  A rating of 3 stars out of 5 or higher would be acceptable, but make sure to read the reviews and see if there’s a common theme.  For a good example try googling “Samsung SRF890SWLS reviews”.  
Method of Acquisition
The final of the three appliance success factors is how will you get the appliance.  Your choices are buying outright, buying on finance or credit card (with monthly payments), traditional rental, or the up-and-coming subscription appliance market and subscription services.  Depending on how you acquire the appliances 
Buying outright is pretty straightforward.  You have the cash, you buy it – you might even be able to get cash discounts.  Alternatively if you cannot afford to buy the appliance outright you use a credit card and pay for the appliance with monthly repayments.  Traditional rental is very similar to buying with a loan or credit card.  You rent the appliance and there’s usually a buy it for $1 clause at the end of the term.  Essentially though you end up paying a very high interest rate and get all the unwanted obligations of ownership as well.  For example once the warranty has run out, if the appliance breaks, too bad – that’s on you.  If you send it to rubbish you still have to pay out the rest of your term, and if you repair it, you’re responsible for the cost of repairs – and guess who pays for the cost of any damage like spoilt food or a flooded apartment – Hooray you do!
Subscription services for appliances is not just appliance rental by another name.  There are what appear to be small differences, but they compound to result in a completely different experience.  Subscription appliances are the more sustainable option helping to close the loop, and they’re also often the more economic option.  In the subscription appliance market customers usually make weekly or monthly payments, with no lock in contracts, so the subscription services can be cancelled anytime, and the appliances returned without further weekly or monthly payments.  With subscription appliances, the subscription services provider is responsible for the appliance working, you’re not actually paying to have a fridge or washing machine, you’re paying to have cold food, or clean clothes.  And if there’s a problem they will usually have customer protections, so you’re not out of pocket if anything goes wrong.  Whether you’re looking for a cheap appliance or an expensive one subscription appliances often makes more sense.  For example, if you are looking at buying an expensive washing machine it usually works out cheaper to subscribe, because you effectively have a lifetime warranty, and cash compensation for damage caused by flooding in many cases.  If you’re buying an expensive appliance for a long warranty, the subscription appliance market can generally offer a better option to suit you. If you’re buying a cheap, poorly built appliance with a short warranty – again the subscription appliance market generally has you covered,  A cheap washing machine is more likely to fail and ruin your clothes and flood your house, a cheap fridge more likely to fail and take your food with it.  Make sure you consider these risks when you’re buying.  A cheap appliance is much more likely to have a shorter service life than an expensive one as well.  Once all things have been considered it often makes more sense to go with more reliable, better quality appliances offered with subscription services.  Businesses in the subscription appliance market have a strong incentive to provide good quality appliances that are well looked after to avoid maintenance issues or compensation pay-outs under their protections.  So for the buyer looking at a cheaper machine, subscription services means they get a better quality machine, at a lower price once all things have been considered and with far greater flexibility to upgrade or downgrade their appliances as their life circumstances change – such as adding a member to their family, or downsizing from a house to an apartment.
We hope that after reading this article, you feel more confident about your chances of finding the right appliance for your needs. If you need any help with acquiring a subscription appliance, contact us today!