Where to buy a new frig.

[Stickjiggler]

I am looking to buy a new frige. Where are the best deals to be had?

[BoxMN]

When we bought our last rounud of appliances, we found the best deals at Best Buy, buying last years models or clearance. Compared everywhere, and we even dickered. Good luck.

[harvey lee]

I found our best deal in the town we live in. Better part is when we need service, they are right here blocks away.

I could have saved about $300.00 on $7,000 worth of appliances at Best Buy but I really liked the idea for the local service if needed.

[Cicada]

In many cases the appliance store appliances will be better. Even though you find appliances that look the same in a appliance store and a big box store, they may be different. You need to write down the model numbers of the ones you want to compare. Big box stores will go to a manufacturer and want a certain model, but at a couple hundred dollars less. To make that happen, the manufacturer will take out a few features, or use cheaper parts so they can sell it to the big box for less money and let the big box sell it for less money and still make the same profit. Results in appliances that are less reliable and may run louder that appliance store models. Appliance stores may have models available only to them that have more features, so they can offer something that the big box stores can't. If the model number isn't the same, the machines aren't the same.

Secondly, who do you expect to service your appliances? It is easier to call someone you bought the appliance from rather than explain that you wanted to save a few bucks and bought at a big box store and then you suddenly need their help.

Lastly, find out what is inclued in the price. Many appliance stores prices include local delivery, installation (dishwashers and over the range microwaves are more labor intensive and therefore will have an additional charge), a three prong cord on dryers and ranges (an extra expense at the big box stores), and recycling of the old appliance. Plus they have more experience with an appliance and better information than a part time employee at a big box store.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I work at an appliance store and so I will be biased. Our repair people work on a lot of appliances that were sold at big box stores and in many cases, the problems were caused by people that bought there because they wanted to save a few bucks, but didn't get a proper education on how to operate the machine. They misused them and caused the problems.

There is a difference between finding the best deal and finding the best value. The best deal saves you money up front. The best value is more of a long term investment in "peace of mind" with your purchase.

[B. Amish]

watch for rebates from manufacturers and participating dealers.

[Tom7227]

Harvey and Cicada hit it on the head. We've never bought from a big box and we've never had any problems that weren't dealt with by someone who understood what a relationship with a customer means.

[harvey lee]

6 months after I purchased a whole house full of new appliances my freezer was having issues. I called the local store that I purchased it from and they were over to the house with a new one within the day. They helped me move all the food and said if anything had spoiled to call them and they would turn a loss claim into GE for the freezer going down.

I did lose some salmon and a few other things as they did thaw just a bit and I did not feel safe eating fish that had thawed a bit.

The local store called the company and I recieved a check for $330.00 within 2 weeks.

I doubt the big box store could do that like the local store did.

Just how much is great customer service worth comapred to saving a few hondo's???

I will due business with that store for a long, long time.

My son needed a new appliance and aske dme where I thought he should go and I explained to him that the local fellows will do better in the end for you.

[CaptainBly]

I agree, you don't know if someone at the big box store really knows what they are talking about. When we built our house we went all over, but ended up at an appliance store that sold just appliances. Later I baought a chest freezer for the garage and they saw that I wsa there before and gave me a discount. Pretty nice I thought. If people stop going to these smaller stores they'll end up closing their doors.

[pureinsanity]

Tom, what the name of the place you use? very interesting read!

[Cicada]

Harvey Lee, how long ago was that? Most of the manufacturers now include a clause in their warranty stating that they will not be responsible for lost product. I had a freezer go down right after deer season, lost all my venison. They wouldn't cover it.

If you have time on your side, looking for manufacturer rebates is a great idea. Also, call your electric utility company and find out if they are offering any rebates for refrigerators. Also find out what the terms they require are. Some will want the old one taken off they grid.

[croixflats]

I had great service with Lowes and the Samsung we found was a great value with the features we were looking for.With the Box Stores you have to shop between them to find what you want for a reasonable price for what you want. Next stop I feel is Sears, There are ways to get discounts just have to be creative.

The Box Store Snobs are fumy oops funny.

[Tom7227]

North End Machine at about 899 Rice in St. Paul. Unfortunately the owner sold about 2 years ago and so I can't verify that things are still good. But if you think about it you know the small guys are going to have trouble hitting the price marks of the Big Box so they have to have something special going.

I saw an app that allowed you to put in a SKU and comparisons would pop up. Anyone tried that on appliances? Results? I am ready to believe that you can't buy the same units at some of the stores and this would be a good way to verify.