TruePro vs. JustAnswer for Appliance Help
Text chat with a stranger, or live video with a 35-year veteran. Same price range, very different experience.
JustAnswer connects you with "verified experts" via text chat for appliance questions. It works for simple stuff — error code lookups, basic troubleshooting. But when you need someone to actually look at your appliance, listen to the sounds it's making, and give you a real diagnosis? Text chat falls short. Here's how the two compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| TruePro Video | JustAnswer | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live video call — the expert sees your appliance in real time | Text chat (sometimes photos) — back-and-forth messaging |
| Pricing | $49 flat — one session, no subscription | $36+/month subscription or per-question fees that add up |
| Who you talk to | Simon Kagan — 35 years, 30,000+ repairs, named expert you can verify | Anonymous "verified expert" — credentials vary widely |
| Diagnosis depth | Full visual inspection, written report, parts list, cost estimate | Text-based advice, no visual inspection, no formal report |
| Guarantee | Money-back if we can't diagnose it | Satisfaction guarantee (but you're on a subscription) |
| Quick questions | Designed for full diagnosis sessions, not one-off questions | Good for quick lookups and simple questions |
TruePro is best when
You need a real diagnosis — not just a guess based on a text description. You want to show someone the problem and get a definitive answer, a written report, and specific next steps.
JustAnswer is best when
You have a quick, specific question like 'What does error code F5E2 mean on my Whirlpool washer?' and you just need a fast text answer. For simple lookups, JustAnswer can work.
Why video beats text for appliance diagnosis
Diagnosing appliances through text is like describing a weird noise to your mechanic over email. You can try, but 'it makes a grinding sound when it spins' could be five different things. Over video, Simon can hear the sound himself, ask you to tilt the machine, check behind the panel, and narrow it down in minutes. Text chat turns a 15-minute diagnosis into an hour-long guessing game.
The subscription trap
JustAnswer's pricing model is designed around subscriptions. The initial question might be cheap, but follow-up questions, ongoing access, and monthly renewals add up. With TruePro, you pay $49 once. You get your diagnosis, your report, and you're done. No recurring charges, no surprise bills.
Knowing who's on the other end
When you book with TruePro, you're talking to Simon Kagan. You can look him up. Read reviews from his actual customers. See his 35-year track record. On JustAnswer, you get whoever's available — and the quality ranges from excellent to barely helpful. You won't know which until you've already paid.
What you'll get
- 15-minute live video session with a named, verifiable expert
- Written diagnosis report emailed after your session
- Specific part numbers and where to buy them
- Repair-vs-replace recommendation with cost breakdown
Simple pricing
Pick your level
Both include a written report with diagnosis, parts list, and fix-vs-replace recommendation.
Diagnosis
$49
15 minutes
- Live video call with Simon's team
- Expert diagnosis of your appliance issue
- Parts list with part numbers & prices
- Fix-vs-replace recommendation
- Written report emailed to you
Best for: "Tell me what's wrong and what I need"
Guided Repair
$79
30 minutes
- Everything in Diagnosis, plus:
- Step-by-step repair walkthrough on video
- Real-time guidance as you do the repair
- Safety checks before & after
- Extended time if needed ($29/15min)
Best for: "Walk me through fixing it myself"
Can't diagnose it? You don't pay. · In SoCal? $49 credited toward in-home repair.
FAQ
Is JustAnswer a scam?+
No — JustAnswer is a legitimate platform. Some of their experts are very good. The issue is consistency. You don't know who you'll get or how experienced they are with your specific appliance. And text-based diagnosis has real limitations for appliance problems.
JustAnswer is cheaper — why should I pay more?+
JustAnswer's entry price is lower, but the value is different. You're comparing a text exchange to a live video diagnosis with a written report. Factor in the subscription cost and the risk of an incorrect text-based diagnosis, and the real cost is often higher.
Can I send photos to TruePro instead of doing video?+
Our service is built around live video because it's dramatically more accurate. Simon needs to see the appliance in action, hear it run, and guide you through checks in real time. Photos alone miss too much.
What if I already got advice from JustAnswer?+
Book a video diagnosis and mention what JustAnswer told you. Simon can evaluate whether their advice was on track or if they missed something. Think of it as a second opinion — except this one comes with a visual inspection.
Diagnose by Appliance
Need in-home repair?
In SoCal? Your $49 video fee is credited toward an in-home repair.
Learn about in-home service