Do you still have to have a refrigerator? – Diepresse.com

The idea is a very simple one – and of all people a leaflet in Denmark brought it to Austria around 25 years ago. Horst Neuböck found that on vacation at the time, and it said: « Pay kitchen appliances in installments ». Why, Neuböck thought, shouldn’t that also work in a modified version in Austria? Why buy anyway? Why not rent? The entrepreneur from Ebensee was already at work with guarantee extensions. Between the steep rocks of the Salzkammergut and the cool, clear water of the Traunsee, he ensured that household appliances are covered by the guarantee longer – and they quickly break. Then the rent was added.

And at a time when the « I don’t have to own everything » mentality was still not a vogue. But “not buying” has been in trend for years. From the car to the ordinary bike or e-bike to the drill, to the Kärcher, to camping tents, laptops, clothing, (mobile) sauna, whirlpools or ski equipment. So why not kitchen appliances?

From the villager to the city

« Washing, drying, cooking, rinsing »: Neuböck quickly says it quickly, like someone who has repeated the words a thousand times over the years. Almost everything can be rented with him: dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, coffee machine or vacuum cleaner, even induction fields are on the website of his club Weiss, which is no longer belonging to him. He sold the company to the German Insurance company Wert guarantee six months ago. Neuböck could have been retired for a long time, but he continues to work as a consultant in the company.

The idea still leaves you at a loss. Rent kitchen appliances? Who does something like that? « There is no area in Austria where it doesn’t work, » says Neuben. He doesn’t find the thought of it so absurd. « If you are hungry, you also buy a sausage smelter and not an entire butcher. If you want to fly on vacation, you buy the flight and not the plane, » he argues.

The desire for convenience

The company currently rents 9,000 to 10,000 devices – roughly estimated, says Neuben. Consumers can be found in all classes: « You can’t say that one has a lot of money, he doesn’t need it. Or he has less money. It doesn’t matter because everyone has to use things. » However, there are three different reasons for motivation why someone prefers to rent a refrigerator than buy.

The first group calls Neuböck « the comfortable ». These are those « just call, say you need a washing machine. They choose the device, know the rental amount, they don’t have to worry about anything anymore. »

The landlord takes over the repair

The second target group are those who rent for tax reasons. « That means you don’t have to buy or activate a coffee machine for the office, but you put the rental amount off. » Then there are also apartment tenants or generally landlords who award turnkey apartments. These are those who would simply calculate: « I equipped the whole apartment around 90 euros a month. That would result in three euros a day. Then the apartment costs 94 instead of 91 euros a day. »

The third target group are household founders. So young families who do not have enough on their side for the full equipment of their own home, or also shared apartments that can be found for studying.

All together appreciate that they have no problems with the repair when renting. Because any damage to the devices is regulated and paid for by the club white. From broken filters to total damage, the device is replaced. « How quickly is it repaired? » One asks. « Depending on the location, » says Neuböck. « When someone calls in the morning, the technician will come in the afternoon, but the next day. »

You choose the device yourself

And how do you get such a device now? As a rule, it works in such a way that you go to an electrical dealer who is a partner company of the Club Weiss. (Incidentally, the name is an allusion to « white goods », which in the electrical language describes household appliances.) There you choose the desired device yourself and get the rental amount based on the purchase price.

There are also offers on the club’s homepage: For example, a Siemens washing machine for around 19.90 euros per month, a freezer by around 23.90, a Bosch oven by 16.60, a fully automatic Miele coffee machine by 27 or a better by 32.60 euros. You pay this amount every month, for five and a half years. After that, the device is not withdrawn, but is transferred to the tenant’s possession. Repairs are included in the rental amount.

This security that the repair of any damage is also covered is not for nothing, but in the rent. But not high according to Neuböck. « An average repair costs around 370 euros. » If the device does not break anything, renting over the 5.5 years is more expensive than if you had bought the device. « As soon as something breaks, you are cheaper with our system, » says Neuben. In addition, there is, of course, the Susi careless mentality. Knowing that you don’t have to search for a craftsman because the device is served and repaired by the landlord.

Throw off less?

In the long term, devices are thrown away less, Neuböck is certain. That was also the reason why the German repair cost insurer took over the club Weiss took over six months ago. The concept fits into the company’s sustainability strategy. Because from their own experience, one knows that customers have an insured device repaired three times more often than one in which you have to pay the repair yourself, explains Garantie Managing Director Thilo Dröge, now also managing director of Club Weiss, the « press ». « And it is similar with the rent. »

Most of the devices that are rented are washing machines, says Neuböck. Maybe because damage to these devices can quickly end up. Keyword: water damage.

Shorter rental period not possible

Incidentally, a shorter rental period is not possible for hygienic reasons and equipment reasons, a longer pay for the repair curve, said Neuben. However, the contract could be passed on. There are also enough customers who want to have a new device again after the 5.5 years. The removed devices are then spiced up and – if corresponding hygienic conditions are met – away to charitable facilities. In any case, the oldest customer was 92 years old. Neuböck cannot say what has become of him. « I once assumed that he survived, the rent was always paid on time. »

Incidentally, customers do not have to do a credit check. Neuböck always didn’t care if someone has owe. Experience had taught him that the devices are treated well by their users. « People want to use the devices. » And one more thing: « Tenants are repeat offenders. » Anyone who has rented once often add a second device.