Replies (23)
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26916
I always look at consumer reports for recommendations and reliability ratings. They cost $4.95 a month and if you get one good recommendation before you cancel, it's worth it. I have had good luck buying appliances at Sears and at Home Depot. They both run low or 0% interest rates so you can pay it off in equal installments while you carry it for free for a year. You can also open a credit card and get 10% off on top of what ever other sales/promotions are going. I prefer name brands that are middle range for most houses like GE profile, Kenmore, Kitchen Aid etc. I don't think that in most houses you get your money out of Bosch or Wolfe or many of the other very high end names. There are lots of good looking functional knock off looking appliances that cost 50% less, but are solid brand names. You want form and function, but take a look at CR and see what they have to say then go shopping.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:8181
Sunnyview is correct about Consumer Reports. Basically there is just a handful of manufacturers in the U.S. making multiple brand names, and each line has different price points depending on features and name recognition.
If you are lucky (as we are in Minneapolis) Sears has an outlet store that stocks discontinued and slightly damaged appliances, sometimes at big discounts, depending on the amount of damage. At one time Sears sold over 50 percent of the major appliances in America. Other options include Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowes, along with many other smaller chains. Always do your homework and always buy on sale. The best deals can come when stores discontinue models or are moving out floor samples and returns.
If you are lucky (as we are in Minneapolis) Sears has an outlet store that stocks discontinued and slightly damaged appliances, sometimes at big discounts, depending on the amount of damage. At one time Sears sold over 50 percent of the major appliances in America. Other options include Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowes, along with many other smaller chains. Always do your homework and always buy on sale. The best deals can come when stores discontinue models or are moving out floor samples and returns.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26916
Lowe's also has a 10% off coupon (up to a certain amount) that is available at your local post office in the change of address kit. That might knock some money of if you buy there.
- supercub
- Contributions:1229
We were in the same boat awhile back. We looked at the Home Depot, and Lowes, mainly to compare features and price points. It's very easy to look at a number of them and see which are made by the same manufacturer. Then, look at the features added to the basic model, you'll be amazed what led lights or some special feature adds to the price.
For us, the french door upper and the drawer below for the freezer was what we were looking for. Knowing the price points, looking at the various brands (all made by the same man.), we made the rounds and just happened to hit an unadvertised in store sale of 40% off on a Samsung, which is the same exact thing as a Whirlpool with their own added features. Add the 10% coupon and it was 50% off.
For us, the french door upper and the drawer below for the freezer was what we were looking for. Knowing the price points, looking at the various brands (all made by the same man.), we made the rounds and just happened to hit an unadvertised in store sale of 40% off on a Samsung, which is the same exact thing as a Whirlpool with their own added features. Add the 10% coupon and it was 50% off.
- Jon Petersen
- Contributions:828
I bought new appliances a year ago, and went shopping for quite a while. I found after shopping at maybe 6 or 7 different places(costco, home depot, lowes, howards, sears, pacific sales, best buy, and a few others) different stores do better on certain brands. I found pacific sales got better prices on KitchenAid than anyone else, and home depot and lowes, even with the coupon for 10% off, werent as good as pacific sales or Howards. Best buy was the most expensive.
After all the shopping, I decided to go with Frigidare stainess appliances at Howards, as they are rated quite high on the consumer reports, and were the best deal for what I could find.
Howards, with most brands, was the cheapest, and the brand they get the best deals on is frigidare. You can even haggle with them a little if you are buying a couple things. I bought all new appliances for the kitchen and the laundry room, and even got them to cut $300 off after all the advertized sales they had, plus the free delivery they threw in.
- Brian Gwaltney, "Metro Maintenance"
- Contributions:315
We bought from sears and home depot. The sears salesman knew more but both were very helpful.
- Toan Nguyen, "Toan Nguyen"
- Contributions:140
This is a great question for those that may be in a similar situation in the future. This question is best answered with multiple feed back. My experience with buying appliances has been vast. Deals are more abundant when you are buying multiple units. I would start out by researching the reviews on all popular brand appliances. Know ahead of time what you are looking to buy. When you say "best places to buy major appliances", I am thinking about the best place to shop to save the most amount of money. With this in mind, I would have to recommend a "scratch and dent" appliance store. They have all kinds of major appliances with minor damages to the sides and sometimes the front that is not at all noticeable. You can save as much as 50%. Another great source to get appliances brand new for more of a discount than the box store is at a company called "Direct Buy". Before you can go into a Direct Buy store, you have to become a member. Direct Buy works like this, they have direct contracts with thousands of manufacturers both locally and nationally for all sorts of consumer goods. This relationship allows members of Direct Buy to shop directly with the manufacturer and bypass any "middleman". The savings are huge. No, I do not work for them. I am an advocate of their business model.
As far as the various styles of refrigerators, best recommendation is to read through all the reviews and determine which ones fit your needs.
Good luck
As far as the various styles of refrigerators, best recommendation is to read through all the reviews and determine which ones fit your needs.
Good luck
- minotau
- Contributions:71
I've never used "Direct Buy" so I can't comment directly on them or how cost effective their business model may be. But the links below do make me very hesitant to even consider using them. It does sound as though it's some type of franchise operation so perhaps YMMV.
http://news.consumerreports.org
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/
http://news.consumerreports.org
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/
- Toan Nguyen, "Toan Nguyen"
- Contributions:140
Minotau, I read the consumer reports and were not surprise by the findings. My initial sales experience with the company was similar in content not in delivery of that content. Yes, the company is a franchise. Yes, there are products you can buy online delivered to your home for much less of a fee than buying through Direct Buy. Yes, their sales approach may vary from mild to aggressive from one store to another. With all that said, my own personal experience has been positive. One of the areas where I found the most savings to be was in the purchase of kitchen cabinets and appliances. Direct Buy does not carry merchandise, they have a showroom for certain products, and material samples for others.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:8181
My understanding of Direct Buy is that it only makes financial sense if you are buying a substantial amount from them (a whole new kitchen, appliances, furniture, etc) as they charge a hefty up front joiners fee.
- Toan Nguyen, "Toan Nguyen"
- Contributions:140
Michael, you are absolutely correct. Direct Buy will not financially benefit everyone. At that time of needing new kitchen cabinets and appliances, I shopped them and discovered this is an area where I will have substantial immediate savings. If I was to consider making a small low quantity purchase, my first stop is the internet.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3876
Direct Buy membership fees/cost vary from Franchise to Franchise
Initial 3 year membership that cannot be cancelled $3500 + and approx annual fee of $200
Initial 3 year membership that cannot be cancelled $3500 + and approx annual fee of $200
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
On another thread, someone mentioned some "dents and scratches" outlets and stores, and that typically they are only minor cosmetic issues that are not even visible to most people. The implication was a 20% to 50% savings off of retail pricing, but still brand new with full warranty.
Besides, most people would have scratched their appliances somehow within 6 months anyway.
Besides, most people would have scratched their appliances somehow within 6 months anyway.
- Martins Construction, "MartinsConstruction"
- Contributions:16
Ikea might be your best bet for the quality.
- ProudFather
- Contributions:17
This might not be for you, but we have bought several large appliances on craigslist. We got a really unbelievable deal on a frig and a washing machine. They were nearly brand new, and we paid almost nothing. You do run the risk of buying used, but you can tell how someone has taken care of it by the condition of their house.
- Thomas Trifon
- Contributions:49
For the refrigerator style (french door, side-by-side, freezer on top or bottom) is an individual preference. I like the freezer on the bottom because 95% of the time, when you want something it is is always in the refrigerated part, not the freezer. (I also hate having to be on my knees to get the lettuce).
I would recommend Sears for major appliances and I would strongly recommend getting their protection agreements which covers all repairs/parts/labor for (for 3 or 5 years) and they will come out every year for free to service the units. If they can't fix any appliance, you get a new one.
They also offer price matching, where you will get the lowest price plus 10% of the difference if Sears's price is higher.
You should check on when they have their major sales. Sometimes they have buy-more, save-more discounts, they have what they call friends-and-family (a sunday from 6-9pm) and many other great sales. In addition, they sometimes offer an additional 5-10% off if you use a Sears cc. Don't forget to join their shop-your-way-reward program (it is free, and every purchase you will get from1-5% toward another purchase.
One last thing...check out the sears outlet (online); you can get some great deals there too.
I would recommend Sears for major appliances and I would strongly recommend getting their protection agreements which covers all repairs/parts/labor for (for 3 or 5 years) and they will come out every year for free to service the units. If they can't fix any appliance, you get a new one.
They also offer price matching, where you will get the lowest price plus 10% of the difference if Sears's price is higher.
You should check on when they have their major sales. Sometimes they have buy-more, save-more discounts, they have what they call friends-and-family (a sunday from 6-9pm) and many other great sales. In addition, they sometimes offer an additional 5-10% off if you use a Sears cc. Don't forget to join their shop-your-way-reward program (it is free, and every purchase you will get from1-5% toward another purchase.
One last thing...check out the sears outlet (online); you can get some great deals there too.
- Thomas Richard, "TRS Designs"
- Contributions:76
For appliances, take a look at the AD Madison website. They have all of the appliance brands at very good prices and they offer the same package 'rebates' as the box stores. You won't get the same level of customer service as a local store, but if you now exactly what you want you can save some money there.
On a side note: As a kitchen designer AND cabinetry dealer, I've come up against Direct Buy more than a few times and on only one occasion has their pricing been lower than mine on the same cabinet brand. Most of the time their pricing comes nowhere even close to justifying the HUGE up front membership fee. Another serious draw back, at least when kitchens are concerned, is that you have virtually no help, or even a choice on who helps you, with planning or designing the space. A professional Kitchen Designer that you LIKE and WANT TO work with can be the single, most important aspect of a new kitchen... If you've already plunked down your membership fee with them, at least go out and hire a real Designer to help plan the project and tell them up front about your DB membership so they can assist you best and work with the cabinet brands that DB offers.
On a side note: As a kitchen designer AND cabinetry dealer, I've come up against Direct Buy more than a few times and on only one occasion has their pricing been lower than mine on the same cabinet brand. Most of the time their pricing comes nowhere even close to justifying the HUGE up front membership fee. Another serious draw back, at least when kitchens are concerned, is that you have virtually no help, or even a choice on who helps you, with planning or designing the space. A professional Kitchen Designer that you LIKE and WANT TO work with can be the single, most important aspect of a new kitchen... If you've already plunked down your membership fee with them, at least go out and hire a real Designer to help plan the project and tell them up front about your DB membership so they can assist you best and work with the cabinet brands that DB offers.
- Wes Black, "Wes Black"
- Contributions:539
Sears is my choice for selection and price.
- Thomas Trifon
- Contributions:49
Another great thing about Sears is that when they deliver the washer/dryer & refrigerator for you, they will set it up making sure it is level and it works. If a unit is damaged or dented or DOA try dealing with internet sites for shipping it back; with Sears these issues are never your problem.
- dkbradley
- Contributions:3
I just bought a new washer and purchased from HH Gregg. The same washer (Maytag) was available at Sears and Lowes i believe. The loest price by $40 or so dollars was from HH Gregg. The other thing is delivery fees. Sears was over $100 and HH Greg was $60. You can save a little money there as well.
- Rocco Aptor, "Rockoraptor"
- Contributions:2
[hotlink removed by Zillow moderator] has the best deals with coupons/buy more save more and a few other ways to save. they have a huge selection, most brands. They also sell furniture. I pretty much use them for appliances and bought one bedroom set from them. I tried ajmadison before and was not completely satisfied with their service and their prices are a little higher. I always end of saving up to 15-20% on most of my purchases. I used to shop at sears, but they don't offer so much savings and I don't care much for Kenmore.
- Rocco Aptor, "Rockoraptor"
- Contributions:2
[hotlink removed by Zillow moderator] has the best deals with coupons/buy more save more and a few other ways to save. they have a huge selection, most brands. They also sell furniture. I pretty much use them for appliances and bought one bedroom set from them. I tried ajmadison before and was not completely satisfied with their service and their prices are a little higher. I always end of saving up to 15-20% on most of my purchases. I used to shop at sears, but they don't offer so much savings and I don't cre much for Kenmore.
- Reno Offers, "renooffers"
- Contributions:4
Have you tried appliance smart yet?I
Where is the best place to buy major appliances?
Thanks for any advice you can give!
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