boxst

I just replaced the carbon brushes in my washing machine. Easy. 20 minute job. (after 20 minutes of being disgusted at the dirt and rubbish under the washing machine)

I'm technically minded but know nothing about washing machines and I didn't even know there were carbon brushes to replace, so 15 years ago I would have called someone or worse replaced the washing machine (its 5 years old).

Now of course, 10 minutes on Google, a helpful link to a YouTube video, £5 for parts and away you go...

I just wonder how many repair type people are suffering because of this.

Steve

Saxo Boy

I have made 3 car repairs using only the internet to help my diagnose the problem and fix it. Saved me a fortune, but ultimately cost businesses.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yes, but ninety percent of the population still wont, I fixed the Dishwasher the other week, would have been £70 for someone to come out, plus the risk you get a Rogue Trader type who fleeces you, says its not worth repairing, sells you a new one and offers to remove the old one that he then flogs for £100.

World is still full of clueless,lazy or stupid people who cant be bothered or just cant use any nouse to do things themselves, as long as you know your own limitations and dont start messing with the Gas boiler should be ok.

EH52WRX

iTrader: (16)

I fixed my fridge freezer that was making a hell of a noise. Looked on the net, and found that it is ice hitting the fan at the rear, it should me how to fix it, saved me calling out someone.

PaulC72

I did the same with out washing machine but it then developed a more serious fault so purchased a new one as it was beyond economical repair in our opinion. But always look on the internet first for fixes on things.

Lydia72

MAF sensor thanks to Scoobynet
My first iPod had a total screen freeze, fixed that in minutes with a bit of googling.
More recently our shower broke, OH found the part needed, how to fix it etc, saved us calling out a plumber.
Just need to work out how to do my own dentistry and I'll be sorted

Markus

I think it might have allowed reputable places to possibly get more work. People will see it on the internet, think it's a doddle, give it a shot and it'll either be ok, or they will **** it up, or be unable to repair and so call someone out.

I will fully admit that it is very handy to have resources such as ifixit to hand, plus of course other sites with a wealth of information.

I've replaced things from a pump on a washing machine to a bonnet catch on a honda, found a replacement part for a sink tap that didn't have any markings on it, all thanks to the internet.

chris84

iTrader: (1)

what hurts some is good for others, the way the world works.

people are so dependant on the internet and their computers now that they won't think twice about paying top dollar to get it fixed straight away. i'll be honest i cashed in on it for a while but got bored of doing jobs on the side. much prefer fixing the big servers and stuff in my day job.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

There's not much I won't have a go of these days after doing a bit of research on the Internet. I recently saved myself £400 by doing my own (closeboard) fence. Thoroughly enjoyed doing it as well.

tony de wonderful

The interweb has been a massive help for car modders. There is no way I would have tackled some of the stuff I have done without the FAQ's and help available on forums

I dunno if this hurts garages or helps them? People can do stuff one their own they would have taken to a professional before but also maybe it helps get people interested.

I've seen people get maybe over-confident though and get themselves in a massive hole which they have to take to pros to fix though.

chris84

iTrader: (1)

also depends on the quality of a guide. i've started following a guide before, got half way through and realised things at my end weren't going the same way as it did for the person who wrote the guide. luckily common sense got me through.

Saxo Boy

Wife dropped iphone and cracked the screen. I bought a new screen repair kit for £15 from fleabay and fixed it myself following instructions on the interwebs. Got it going and it was fine for about 2 months before it developed a strange fault (possibly related to non-apple replacement screen). Took it to apple store and they changed out the whole phone under warranty

douglasb

My answer to this could fit in either this thread or f1_fan's thread about how retail is doing these days.

My grill stopped working so I called in a repairer who has a shop in town and advertises in the local paper. (Although I'm quite handy, I get nervous when it involves mains electricity at high currents - ie. make a mistake and there is a risk of fire and/or death ). He came out to have a look, told me that it was the control switch rather than the element and that he'd phone me back that afternoon with a price and availability. That was more than 10 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the call......

I was in no hurry as I was doing a bit of work away from home so after about 3 weeks of no messages from the guy a quick bit of internet research told me that the part was available for £20. Replacing it was no more difficult than making sure that the appropriate coloured wire went to the correct connector.

Now, had the repair chap called me back I'd have happily paid £70 (or whatever he told me the cost was within reason) for parts/labour. But as he didn't I did it myself. I can't see his business lasting long if he doesn't bother calling people who have indicated that they want his services and are prepared to pay.

(Just want to reiterate that I didn't use him to diagnose the problem with the intention of then doing the job myself. I started off wanting to use a local tradesman to do the job but ended up doing it myself as it didn't seem too difficult. 72 hours down the line and the grill appears to work and the house hasn't burnt down! - So I agree with Steve).

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

My washing machine broke after 5 years as it was showing a fault code I checked the web to find out what it was, turns out its an $8 part that fits near the main board. My missus actually sorted it out as she rang Costco herself and they gave me a full refund so I could buy a new one, job done

paulwrxboro

I fix gas boilers for a liveing, im sick of getting to the house and the customer says "i thort it was this because someone said on the net

boxst

I did that -- I was right though! I took apart the boiler, saw it was the heat exchanger that was leaking, didn't want to change that as it involved taking half the boiler out and disconnecting / reconnecting the gas feed.

So a call to a heating engineer, told him the part so that he had it with him and we were all good.

Steve

boxst

Now fully into doing these things: Dyson starting sparking, carbon brushes again. Unfortuantely Dyson solder on the connectors for the brushes so it had to be a new motor.

Quick search on the internet and I could get a more powerful motor for £20. Stripped the Dyson down, replaced the motor (cleaned a few things on the way) and there we have a working Dyson again. Called a shop who wanted £100 + parts ...

SJ_Skyline

The internet must have put a few coffin nails into top shelf magazines....

JackClark

PC Manufacturers by the thousand.

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

yeah but the sale of screen wipes must have rocketed

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

My crap hotpoint washer dryer decided to barly dry cloths shortly after getting it and a year later the dreaded F-13 code. I googled it and it said open the lid reset the thermostate... I open the lid - no thermostat...

We avoided the dryer until needing the bedding dry at 11pm so I decided to tackle it again.. Google images and I had the drying unit in bits.. Cleaned everything out and it turns out the fan had all clogged up an caused it to over heat..

Working a treat now. Saved me well over £200 in a call out.

zip106

My heating oil tank has a copper power tube attached to it, which sends a signal to a unit in the house telling me the oil level.

This tube failed recently and they cost around £35.

Couple of minutes on Google and I found out the tube only contains 4 AAA batteries.
5 minutes later I've saved myself £33.....

dpb

Was thinking bout this only the other day - is the internet partly responsible for all our ills

Less people spending within their own comnunities , less people socialising within their communities - in fact a more detached mindset

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Possibly. However, times are tough and if people can save money somewhere they will (within what they feel they can do/willing to try).

Our tumble dryer stopped heating a few weeks ago and a first panic set in a bit as there was no real way we could replace it right away (I know they are not massively expensive, but we don't have much spare money). My next thought was to call somebody out, but before I rushed in, I decided to have a quick look on the internet. It turned out, some models have a red switch on that can be reset (ours did), so I tried that and it worked. We put it back in place and it stopped heating as soon as we tried it, so pushed the button while in place and touch wood, it seems ok for now.

It could fail again, then tbh, I'd probably call someone in, as I could end up ordering various parts totting up to almost what a new one would cost, plus I'd rather not mess around too much in this respect.

What I would say, is it was worth a try before calling someone out or saving for a new one that may not have been needed. A call out alone would be charged, then if all they did was press a button, be a bit of a waste. Then when moved back in place, same problem=another call out, and then possible replacement parts etc. It wouldn't have taken long before we were in new machine cost territory. I can't be sure it's going to be ok, but it was worth a go before jumping into replace or call someone in.

austinwrx

espares are a good source for parts and they do helpful videos too.

Coffin Dodger

Recent example for me is how the Internet may be killing off the financial advice business.

Our independent financial advisor came over recently, he likes to check up on us from time to time. Since the arrival of our baby boy I knew full well that I should be considering some extra life assurance, I'd had a tentative look on the 'net but was interested to see what he could come up with. Comes back few days later and his policies were significantly more expensive per month than those I'd looked up on the 'net. Same providers too. Just that I had found a on-line broker that didn't charge any commission but instead just a small flat fee which made them much cheaper.

He seemed a bit pissed off at that point and we haven't heard from him since

Not too upset about it though, think I can manage without his help and he did go on a bit