Without a little pre-purchase investigation, buying a major appliance can mean buying thousands of dollars worth of major appliance repair headaches that last for years. Even the best appliances eventually need repairs, but with a proper maintenance program, maintenance costs on your home appliances will be a small fraction of what they could be with neglected equipment. Different brands have different advantages and disadvantages, each with unique quirks that prospective appliance buyers would do well to be aware of before purchasing that gorgeous new wonder of technology.