Nicotto Town



Fixing our toaster

I asked for repairing our oven toaster at a nearby electrical appliances shop the other day.
I'd noticed there'd been something wrong with its cord.

A shop clerk said to me that it would cost more than 8,000yen just changing the cord.
If there were other problems apart from the cord, it would cost us more than 15,000yen.

She suggested me to buy a new toaster, as many of them cost less than 10,000yen.
However, I'd really like to use our toaster more if it's still in use by fixing it, so I decided to send it to an inspection by paying 2,000yen.

I got a tellphone call today; the toaster can be repaired with 4,000yen and 2,000yen inspection fee will be returned.
I'm really happy to hear that!

But at the same time, I can't really get this enigmatic system.
Why does repair cost so much?
Do they want us to throw away the stuff and buy new ones for the sake of themselves?

If I made something by myself and someone bought and cherished it, I would feel very happy and repair it for free.
Would you?

アバター
2014/02/17 08:42
Hi Milk!
I was happy to find we have the same feelings about things and food.
Let's keep our "mottainai" spirit! :D
アバター
2014/02/16 09:40
Hi, Carrie!
I respect your way of life!
I've had the same experience like with your oven toaster.
My case was a 10 year-old fridge.
I was told it would cost a much to fix it more than I expected.
And the clerk recommend me to buy a new one.
Actually I didn't pay none for it.
Repairing the old electric machines might be an adventure, I try not throw away easily.
Thank you.

アバター
2014/02/15 12:21
Hi Frost!
It's really nice to know you also treasure things; I knew it as I read your blog, though. :D

I hated watching people throw away everything when living in the U.S.
At their birthday parties, all the cakes went into dust bins without eating along with the plastic plates and forks.
I ate all the cakes even though they were too sweet and not tasty, and I brought back my plastic plates and forks, and reuse them.
I just can't stand throwing away stuff so easily....
アバター
2014/02/15 12:06
Hi arie!
I think so too; we are in the midst of a consumer economy.
It would be nice if we'd change our conciousness and persue our spirituality more than materialistic stuff. :D
We kept our microwave oven for 20 years. Then we decided not to buy a new one, and without it, it's been working very well for 10 years.
I normally don't watch TV, I don't have my cell phone.... perharps I don't need any electrical appliances except for PC. :D
アバター
2014/02/15 11:49
Hi Eri!
Thanks for sharing your experience; you also had the cord changed and cost 3,000yen! Including traveling expenses?
I think it was reasonable and the repairer must have goodwill, cuz s/he wanted to do it for free. :D
I also had our washing machine fixed without replacing any parts of it, and the repairman did it very quickly for free!
He said that he wouldn't tell his company he'd done the job for me, so I didn't need to pay for him.
Maybe those people also feel repair cost is too much!

Yep! I do hope there'll be many repair shops everywhere. :D
アバター
2014/02/14 22:05
Your toaster is very lucky! Our`s is really old. We`ve been using it for more than ten years but I don`t remember it breaking even once! It`s quite dirty-looking, but I don`t want to change it and my family feels the same way as well. lol
Reading your blog reminds me of Filipinos in poverty. They treasure items so much. I often see plastic utensils from fast-food restaurants and cup noodle cups for dishes in their house. Seeing their lifestyle makes me realize how wasteful mine is.
アバター
2014/02/14 00:04
Hi, Carrie!

Japanese people are prone to be submerged in a consumer economy where they are encouraged to buy and throw away consumer goods in a short period of time.
It's a pity that using technological products to the very end of their expected life span is not considered a virtue anymore in our growing days.
I'm sure your oven toaster must have been very happy to be cured and stay with you as long as it can serve you.
See you later.
アバター
2014/02/13 13:26
Good try, you did, Carrie!
Your essey remind me of Frost's 3R.
She is a very sensible girl, isn't she?
I'm very plesed that I am surrouded by great persons, you and SESS members.

I have a same experience.
A halogen electric stove had a trouble with its code.
I asked the shop nearby, a clerk came to my house and changed the code in only a couple of minutes!
It costed 3000 yen.
He said it was a piece of cake work, he didn't want to get any pay from me, but he was a clerk at a shop, he need some money.

I want those people who have such skills will open fix-shop!




Copyright © 2024 SMILE-LAB Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.