Deals on Appliances?

[SweetErika]

We have stove and dishwasher purchases coming up.

Any tips on finding the best deals on reliable models of these appliances?

Has anyone purchased a freestanding range recently? Any shopping advice? This is an unexpected purchase (due to a pretty spectacular oven short+coil burn-up Tuesday), so I haven't had a ton of time to do my usual research.

At the moment, I'm shopping for a reliable electric range with (ideally) a double oven and/or convection oven and glass/smooth cooking surface for around $1000. The Whirlpool WGE5550BS is our current top contender.

I really haven't started looking at dishwashers too much, but we know we want a stainless tub, easy-clean stainless finish, energy efficiency and reliability in the low-mid price range. Buying advice? Things you love or hate about a dishwasher you bought in the last few years?

Thanks in advance!

 

[fire_breeze]

We have stove and dishwasher purchases coming up.

Any tips on finding the best deals on reliable models of these appliances?

Has anyone purchased a freestanding range recently? Any shopping advice? This is an unexpected purchase (due to a pretty spectacular oven short+coil burn-up Tuesday), so I haven't had a ton of time to do my usual research.

At the moment, I'm shopping for a reliable electric range with (ideally) a double oven and/or convection oven and glass/smooth cooking surface for around $1000. The Whirlpool WGE5550BS is our current top contender.

I really haven't started looking at dishwashers too much, but we know we want a stainless tub, easy-clean stainless finish, energy efficiency and reliability in the low-mid price range. Buying advice? Things you love or hate about a dishwasher you bought in the last few years?

Thanks in advance!

It's always great to see you, SweetE!

I cannot help you must with the specifics of appliances, but one piece of advice I received was also look in outlets and liquidation centres. You will often get a top of the line appliance for a fraction of the cost. Also, there are many wholesale stores, such as Direct Buy, where contractors and designers buy the appliances that will accept private customers (usually, you pay a membership fee, but with several appliances, it is very much worth the while.

If time permits, it may be something to look into. Good luck

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I buy appliances from a local guy who gets his stuff from foreclosed homes and closed appliance stores. All are new or nearly new, and half the price of chain stores. I found him in our local ad-mag.

 

[Mercury_Maniac]

google the models you are looking at buying and see if you can find reviews on them to see if anyone has had any major issues etc.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Last time a bought an appliance was a fridge at the Sears Outlet store. That's where all the returned items go to get resold. Got a $2,000 side by side fridge for $800. It was a steal and lasted right up until I sold it for $300 10 years later.

Other than that haven't looked in a long, long time. And I don't think Sears has Outlet stores...wait...aren't they called KMart now?

 

[GiggLeGasm]

Last time a bought an appliance was a fridge at the Sears Outlet store. That's where all the returned items go to get resold. Got a $2,000 side by side fridge for $800. It was a steal and lasted right up until I sold it for $300 10 years later.

Other than that haven't looked in a long, long time. And I don't think Sears has Outlet stores...wait...aren't they called KMart now?

Sears does still have outlet stores and you can access them online. My stove/oven is much like what SweetEl is looking at. They had changed the style of the knob and so it was on clearance. I paid 600. They couldn't deliver it in time for Thanksgiving like they'd originally promised and so they reduced it another 25%.
I felt guilty taking it for that price - but I got over it quickly.

 

[Hypoxia]

President's Day sales are on right now with all the majors. Lowes just delivered and installed a new clothes drier today, a returned and factory-refurbed Maytag marked down from US$900 to US$300, minus a 10% discount, plus 10% for hookup parts. Lowes is in the county seat 25 miles away from our remote mountain hamlet and the nearest recycling center is halfway down the hill so we're happy to have Lowes deliver the new one and haul away the 25-year-old Amana. YMMV.

Our home is a 'modular'. Yes, we're trailer trash. This last year we upgraded our kitchen's cheap factory appliances with new oven-range and over-range microwave-convection (GE Profile) and French-door bottom-freezer-drawer refrigerator, no icemaker (Whirlpool). The microwave was via Amazon; we installed it ourselves. The fridge was from Lowes; they hauled and installed. The oven was from an indy appliance shop downhill, and they did the honors also. All cost what we consider bargain prices. We're cheap that way.

How do we find bargains? Research. Our remote location probably simplifies things since we only have maybe a dozen sources of appliances within range, including Sears. We've run lots of Sears appliances for a long time too, but not lately. Anyway, we check the local offerings and see how users online rate them. Finding winners may take hours of work. Okay for us; our time is worthless.

General rule: Avoid Samsung and LG. They have pretty bad service reps.

 

[oldasspussy]

I don't know anything about appliances but I can offer a little shopping advice.

I haven't needed one in a long time but Lowe's usually has a 10% off coupon available & some stores will accept competitor's coupons. (Home Depot did at one time, not sure if they still do) I used to receive them in the mail occasionally but when I didn't & needed one I'd buy it on ebay.

I'd also purchase Lowe's & Sears gift cards on ebay and usually pay 10% - 20% off the actual value. Sometimes drug & grocery store have a deal if you spend $xxx on gift cards you'll receive $xx back in store credit. Pretty sure there's sites now that sell gift card balances, but I've never tried that.

Just checked and Home Depot still has this price match offer - " NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES If any competitor tries, we'll beat their price by 10% Guaranteed.*
*If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any local retailer, we will match the price and beat it by 10%"

 

[Hypoxia]

*If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any local retailer, we will match the price and beat it by 10%"

Those in my area are very unlikely to carry the exact same models of major appliances, of which zillions exist. Hammers and ladders from common suppliers aren't like the ever-changing varieties and inventories of appliances. Their catalogs and online listings show much more than what is in stock. Sure, you could get lucky. Hope you find your deal.

 

[SweetErika]

We do have Sears Outlets. And of course every other chain and independent store you can imagine. Like Hypoxia mentioned, having a limited selection of stores probably helps; it's not so helpful to have a bunch of places to check when I need a new oven ASAP. I was right on the edge of perfecting my fortune cookie making technique when the element lit up like a small welding torch, dammit!

Anyway, we went to our local Sears Outlet the other day. Everything in our price range was seriously damaged. Maybe I'll check back tomorrow to see if they got anything new in for the weekend.

When I was initially shopping for a washer and dryer, I learned that the 10% price match guarantee is often not honored on appliances. At the time, I went to Lowe's asking for a price match on a washer/dryer. The 10% price guarantee was specifically advertised for appliances at the time. The salesperson, then manager, refused to do it because one letter was off in the model number (an "L" instead of an "H" or whatever Depot was using). Same exact products, but like mattresses, retailers have their own model tags slapped on in the factory. I've pretty much boycotted Lowe's for the past 10 years because of this, but if they have a good deal on my new stove, then I may have to give them another chance.

Mercury, the model I linked to has pretty good reviews from a bunch of places. No Consumer Reports info, but from what I gather from the reviews, people are pretty happy unless they got a real lemon that has a circuit board that went out yearly. Of course people usually get stoves (and dishwashers!) when their current stove is irreparably damaged or like 20+ years old. I'm sure we'll be super excited by the shiny newness and cool features, too; just about ANYTHING will be better than traditional burners that are hard to clean and a dead oven that's not electrically sound, right?

 

[Weird Harold]

We do have Sears Outlets. And of course every other chain and independent store you can imagine. Like Hypoxia mentioned, having a limited selection of stores probably helps; it's not so helpful to have a bunch of places to check when I need a new oven ASAP. I was right on the edge of perfecting my fortune cookie making technique when the element lit up like a small welding torch, dammit!

Anyway, we went to our local Sears Outlet the other day. Everything in our price range was seriously damaged. Maybe I'll check back tomorrow to see if they got anything new in for the weekend.

When I was initially shopping for a washer and dryer, I learned that the 10% price match guarantee is often not honored on appliances. At the time, I went to Lowe's asking for a price match on a washer/dryer. The 10% price guarantee was specifically advertised for appliances at the time. The salesperson, then manager, refused to do it because one letter was off in the model number (an "L" instead of an "H" or whatever Depot was using). Same exact products, but like mattresses, retailers have their own model tags slapped on in the factory. I've pretty much boycotted Lowe's for the past 10 years because of this, but if they have a good deal on my new stove, then I may have to give them another chance.

Mercury, the model I linked to has pretty good reviews from a bunch of places. No Consumer Reports info, but from what I gather from the reviews, people are pretty happy unless they got a real lemon that has a circuit board that went out yearly. Of course people usually get stoves (and dishwashers!) when their current stove is irreparably damaged or like 20+ years old. I'm sure we'll be super excited by the shiny newness and cool features, too; just about ANYTHING will be better than traditional burners that are hard to clean and a dead oven that's not electrically sound, right?

Can't help with stoves or dishwashers, but I recently bought two sets of washer/dryer from Home Depot. Pre-purchase research led to Samsung sets with steam function in both washer and dryer. The set for my daughter's anniversary present was a top load washer and mine was a front load version with pedestals.

The same or equivalent washer/dryer sets were the same basic price at Sears (comparable), Lowes (same), Best Buy (same) but Best Buy offers a military discount (on the first $50) and had an appliance 10% off sale running.

Unless you're concerned about "Buy American" -- which probably doesn't really mean anything with appliances, anyway -- I'd definitely look at Samsung and LG brands. In washers and dryers, they are competitively priced and offer better features in a given price range.

 

[Bottomlover]

Sears Outlet can be really good if you have time and patience to watch and wait for the deal you want. If you don't, do some online research to identify 4 or 5 reputable dealers to visit. I'm sure you know to look at the total cost involved, including tax, delivery and installation if needed. I can move and install appliances myself, and I keep that information to myself while talking about the price for the appliance.

One thing to be aware of is the electrical requirement for the appliance you choose. The Whirlpool you're looking at requires 40 or 50 amps, and a lot of older houses have 30 amps wired to the range/oven. I ran into that a few years ago when replacing a range. Fortunately, it was an easy run in the basement and up through the floor to replace the old wiring with bigger wires and I was able to do it myself, but it can get expensive if you need an electrician and/or have to go inside walls. Know the size of your breaker and wire and look at the plates on the backs of the appliances you look at. Generally, #10 wire is 30 amps, #8 is 40 amps and #6 is 50 amps. The breaker should to be matched to the wire size.

Several years ago we bought a cheap Kenmore dishwasher. I had trouble with the membrane buttons and one of the circuit boards. It also had a huge rotating arm in the top that limited how it could be loaded.

We recently built a new house and installed Bosch ovens, dishwasher and range. The ovens take forever to preheat but control really evenly and well once you get cooking. The long preheat makes my SO crazy. We question the quality of the glass cooktop on the range, and are happy with the dishwasher.

Good luck!

 

[Cumference]

Being on a different grid, the only thing I can say is to buy quality, check the market out beforehand and haggle.
(I let Lady C come in sync with the Arab deep down inside her. She is a brilliant haggler).


And buy induction. It is simply nice!
Yes, you may have to scrap some pots, but the sacrifice is worth it!

 

[JanneE]

You will love the smooth surface. I bought my parents a new oven a few years ago and the only thing you will notice is that thinner pans will warp and not touch the surface evenly all around (like a top). My cooktop is gas and I like it much better.

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[ToysAreUs]

I don't know if it is still true, but Sears-Kenmore (major) appliances always were re-badged Whirlpool units, sold at lower prices.

 

[JanneE]

Any shopping advice?

Buy the most expensive thing you can afford. Spend all your money.

 

[SCcouple1990]

We have a Kenmore withe a flat surface. Ours only has one oven and a warming drawer. We like ours and would buy another Kenmore.

With the flat surface, you will need pans with a flat bottom.

 

[SweetErika]

Buy the most expensive thing you can afford. Spend all your money.

That's just not how we operate financially. We have a lot of things that will need to be replaced soon, so a budget and compromises are important. Appliances usually don't last like they used to, anyway, regardless of brand, so I'd rather not spend a fortune and be heartbroken when it breaks.

We have a Kenmore withe a flat surface. Ours only has one oven and a warming drawer. We like ours and would buy another Kenmore.

With the flat surface, you will need pans with a flat bottom.

Yay, I'm glad to hear you like Kenmore, because that's what we just bought. This one, sans warming drawer, for $700. It's not our dream stove, but, hey, it's about 1000 times better than our 12yo Maytag, even when its oven was working, and I'm happy about spending a reasonable amount on this unexpected purchase.

We got a nice set of heavy stainless Cuisinart cookware a few years ago, so I think we'll be good on the flat-bottom pan front.

I'll let you know what I think when it arrives on Saturday!

 

[JanneE]

That's just not how we operate financially. We have a lot of things that will need to be replaced soon, so a budget and compromises are important. Appliances usually don't last like they used to, anyway, regardless of brand, so I'd rather not spend a fortune and be heartbroken when it breaks.

Fine, don't take my advice.

 

[SCcouple1990]

That's just not how we operate financially. We have a lot of things that will need to be replaced soon, so a budget and compromises are important. Appliances usually don't last like they used to, anyway, regardless of brand, so I'd rather not spend a fortune and be heartbroken when it breaks.



Yay, I'm glad to hear you like Kenmore, because that's what we just bought. This one, sans warming drawer, for $700. It's not our dream stove, but, hey, it's about 1000 times better than our 12yo Maytag, even when its oven was working, and I'm happy about spending a reasonable amount on this unexpected purchase.

We got a nice set of heavy stainless Cuisinart cookware a few years ago, so I think we'll be good on the flat-bottom pan front.

I'll let you know what I think when it arrives on Saturday!

Change colors and add a few years and that is our stove. Have liked it, and it has held up good.

 

[mwmnpa]

That's just not how we operate financially. We have a lot of things that will need to be replaced soon, so a budget and compromises are important. Appliances usually don't last like they used to, anyway, regardless of brand, so I'd rather not spend a fortune and be heartbroken when it breaks.

This advice may be a little late, but when our oven died shortly before Christmas a couple years ago, my wife did some research and we went to Home Depot. We signed up for their store credit card and got three months same as cash, the extended warranty thrown in, and a decent discount.

If you're a bit strapped for cash, see if you can get a similar arrangement.


Good Luck!

 

[SweetErika]

This advice may be a little late, but when our oven died shortly before Christmas a couple years ago, my wife did some research and we went to Home Depot. We signed up for their store credit card and got three months same as cash, the extended warranty thrown in, and a decent discount.

If you're a bit strapped for cash, see if you can get a similar arrangement.


Good Luck!

Every so often, a store card offers such a good deal that's it's worth getting one.

We're not strapped for cash, but we certainly have a budget, especially as a single-income household. Of course sticking to a budget that's below our means is a main reason why we have plenty in the bank. We also just refi'ed, so a portion of those savings will go into home improvement.

I had a moment of buyer's remorse yesterday when I saw some nice stoves in Costco. However, then I remembered they take 2-3 weeks to arrive, and that's why I discounted Costco for this purchase. Even a week without a big oven has seemed like an eternity!

------------

The dishwasher will be the next purchase, probably within 6 months. Any advice on what to look for with that one?

 

[Hypoxia]

We live in a remote Sierra Nevada mountain hamlet with inconsistent electricity, especially during blizzards, forest fires, etc. When we had the modular house (yeah, we're trailer trash) installed, we didn't have budget for a generator. Well, the RV we just bought has a genny so we can use that as house backup now, but that's beside the point. We made sure the house furnace, water heater, and stove (oven+range) ran on propane, not electricity. No wood stove; we tired of smoke and ashes in our last homes. When the power goes out for a week, we can still cook and stay warm.

We have lived in all-electric homes and used all-electric appliances. Electric home heat costs more than gas and electric ranges just do NOT perform like open flames. We prefer our mixed-energy setup. Maybe I was prejudiced by my upbringing. Dad worked for the regional gas utility so we had all gas appliances; electric would be treason.

Our appliance upgrade strategy aims for models one or two steps above the cheapest but never near the most expensive. Take advantage of returns, closeouts, holiday sales, coupons, whatever. My sister was on good terms with the guys running the Mafia funeral parlor downstairs from her Manhattan flat; she got appliances that "fell off the truck," y'know. Maybe you shouldn't depend on such friends.

 

[mwmnpa]

Every so often, a store card offers such a good deal that's it's worth getting one.

We're not strapped for cash, but we certainly have a budget, especially as a single-income household. Of course sticking to a budget that's below our means is a main reason why we have plenty in the bank. We also just refi'ed, so a portion of those savings will go into home improvement.

I had a moment of buyer's remorse yesterday when I saw some nice stoves in Costco. However, then I remembered they take 2-3 weeks to arrive, and that's why I discounted Costco for this purchase. Even a week without a big oven has seemed like an eternity!

------------

The dishwasher will be the next purchase, probably within 6 months. Any advice on what to look for with that one?

We bought a Kenmore in 2008, working fine. I think we did the same thing - got a Sears credit card and a deal.

We think alike re: money!