We were sticking with CRT type TVs until the local eleactric company fried two by pushing the line voltage to 149 volts during some kind of change over. I repaired the 20" Toshiba simply by replacing the whole main board. I figured it had been stressed enough that even if I replace bad parts more would fail. The big 27" Sony is sitting beside my workbench simply because no one would service it here. They all said bring it in - the damn thing weighs 85 pounds and I had our handyman carry it down to the shop, I can't pick it up. One shop offered to pick it up for $100, but advised me that in all honesty it would likely end up costing more than a new set.
We have a GE freezer downstairs that is older thn dirt - still runs. The dryer is a 22 year old Whirlpool that I recently overhauled. Rebuilt a 25 year old garage door opener last year. Great place for parts
www.repairclinic.com, even got parts for our neighbors 30 year old dishwasher - she is 86 so we kind of look out for her.
The big box stores pi$$ me off because they sell brand x this year and brand y next so you can never get parts.
Regarding the 'people being meaner' post, as one who used to be a road warrior you can't pay me to get on a plane anymore. You would have to put me in irons to get me on Southworst. If we can't get there by train we don't go.