Consumption. Washing machine, TV… repairs cost more, despite the bonus
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The effectiveness of the repair bonus is greatly reduced by the increase in the prices of the repairs themselves. This is what the consumer defense association CLCV denounces, in its 2023 report published this week.
+12% for washing machines, +14% for televisions
Throughout last year, the association analyzed the approximately 160,000 repairs of televisions, dishwashers and other refrigerators carried out with the support of the “repair bonus”. This “bonus”, created by law in 2020 and implemented in December 2022, covers part of the cost of the work, to encourage consumers to repair rather than repurchase. But according to the CLCV study, “price increases should be noted during the implementation of the repair bonus”, with “an upward trend in the average cost of repair”.
Over one year, the association estimates the average increase between 10 and 15%. In detail, she reveals, between January and November 2023, the average bill to repair washing machines, built-in ovens or stoves increased by 12%. The increase was 14% for televisions. For cell phones, it’s +18%. On the other hand, the average bill fell by 4% for potable computers.
Inflation, windfall effect…
Several factors combine: the windfall effect, but also the increase in costs due to inflation, the complexity of certain repairs, underlines the report, which recommends that customers “play with the competition”.
“Constant monitoring of prices is essential to guarantee the long-term effectiveness of the repair fund,” adds the CLCV to the public authorities. She insists: “The success of the fund is based on its ability to evolve in response to market dynamics.”
A different impact depending on the device
According to the CLCV report, the repair bonus makes it possible to cover, on average, 17% of the total cost of a repair, i.e. an average bonus of 23 euros on an average invoice of 136 euros. But the impact of the bonus on the total repair cost varies considerably depending on the type of device. Thus, repair appears more advantageous than purchasing a new product for washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators/freezers. Unlike certain equipment such as toasters, kettles or even citrus juicers, the repair of which does not appear sufficiently attractive given their new price.
Moreover, the study shows that cell phones, dishwashers and washing machines are the most repaired types of appliances. They alone represent nearly 66% of repairs carried out with the fund, details the study. Logical, because they are also the most expensive and the repair generally costs less than a new device.
Insufficient number of repair points…
To benefit from the assistance, the repair of the devices must be carried out by a repairer labeled “QualiRépar”. Today, there are 800 certified companies, or nearly 4,700 repair points, which remains “below initial expectations”, notes the CLCV, which deplores in particular the administrative constraints and costs of the process, particularly for small companies. .
In addition, these repair points are unevenly distributed across the territory, denounces the CLCV. According to the association’s figures, the North, Paris and Bouches-du-Rhône are the least well served per number of inhabitants (0.39 repair points per 10,000 inhabitants in the North, 0.38 in Paris and 0.44 in Bouches-du-Rhône). On the other hand, Lozère and Creuse have higher ratios, with respectively 2.06 and 2.46 repair points per 10,000 inhabitants. Increasing the density of repair points is essential, insists the CLCV, because consumers will not travel miles to have their equipment repaired.
…but an expanded list of products and an increased amount
Positive points, the list of eligible products has been gradually expanded, from 14 when the fund opened at the end of 2022 to 75 today. And since January 1, the amount has been increased by 5 euros for 21 products such as hobs, hoods, cookers, toasters, irons, and doubled for five others among the most frequently repaired (televisions, vacuum cleaners, washing machine, dishwasher, dryer).
Now this support ranges from 15 to 60 euros depending on the devices, financed by the “eco-contribution” included in the price of new devices.
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