Dryer shopping and the Sears Outlet

[disneysteve]

We're at that point in homeownership when the original equipment starts failing - oh joy! We've replaced the washer, then the dishwasher, now the dryer died.

We previously bought several appliances at the Sears Outlet, so that was our first stop. Much to our surprise, the selection was pretty much limited to the high end machines. You know, the fancy front loading $1,000 washers and dryers. Yes, they were "only" $800 at the outlet, but big deal. I wouldn't spend $1,000. I wouldn't spend $800 either.

We went from there to Lowe's where we found a very nice Maytag model for $347. At the register, we discovered there was a $25 rebate bringing the cost down to $322.

So the moral of the story is this. Next time you are appliance shopping, check the Sears Outlet but don't be surprised if you find much better deals at traditional retailers.

 

[bevtoy]

ALso check Consumers Guide, they have good reviews and let you know the approximate value of appliances and how reliable they may or mat not be.

 

[Tinkmom]

Bevtoy is right. Reliability is a significant factor. For major appliances, the overall cost involves much more than the initial purchase price.

I have a "high end" front-loading washer and I could not be happier. It initially cost more than a top loader but I use much less detergent, can wash at home (instead of taking to cleaners) large items and it absolutely does a better job cleaning than any washer I have ever had. (We all noticed how much softer our clothes were.) In five years it has not given me any trouble whatsoever and we wash a LOT!

I think that those of us who were forced to buy the cheapest everything when we first got on our own learned the lesson that usually you do get what you pay for. When you buy something "cheap" that has to be fixed/replaced in no time, and it's not that good at its purpose anyway, that is not a good deal. On major purchases, like major appliances, cars, etc. you really need to look at the big picture to find the item with the most value.

 

[Cindy B]

I love the Sears Outlet by the Echelon Mall. We got a Bosch diswasher regulary priced at $899 for $500 due to a scratch.

When we installed the dishwasher, the scratch was unseen!

We also bought a Kenmore dryer which was about $100 difference than at the Sears store. We didn't want to wait for delivery, so we just loaded out our truck and installed it ourselves.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have also used the Echelon NJ location for several appliances. I loaded washer, dryer, and dishwasher right in my minivan. (purchased at differnet times of course!)

Only problem was the dryer had gas labels all over it, got it home and it was electric! We complained, and had to take it all the way back (over an hour drive each way) but they took even more $$ off the replacement for our trouble.

When we were there, they had a good assortment of high and low end apppliances. Scratches on the sides often will be hidden, and my washer dryer is in the laundry room, so who cares? I avoided units with visible damage that would be in the kitchen, however.

 

[disneysteve]

We went to the Echelon location also. Maybe we just caught them at an odd time, but they had only 2 lower end gas dryers. The rest were all the high end fancy models.

 

[angwill]

I have a friend who has always been on me about buying lower cost items and always looking for a bargain. Well last year we needed a new TV and DVD/VCR recorder so we decided we had the money so we were going to buy top of the line for the first time. We got a Toshiba TV (read and been told they are the best on the market and they cost more too) and the most expensive LG DVD/VCR recorder (told this was the best also with all the extra's to boot) and we have had nothing but trouble with both of them from the day we got the. The TV sound goes high and low and switches speakers when it feels like it and the darn thing is so heavy and we would have to rent a truck to get it back to Best Buy so we haven't bothered. The recorder has been in and fixed (we were without it for 2 weeks) and we still get black lines across the picture when watching DVD's. I guess what I am trying to say is even when you spend a fortune it doesn't mean it will be better or not cause problems. I learned my lesson which is their are lemons with any product even top of the line and everything nowadays is made to have to be replaced in under 10 years. I will stick with my bargains and deals that I have, thank goodness, never gotten a lemon and had to have repaired. I guess we all need to do what we feel is best for our situations.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hey, Steve, was this the Lowe's that charged you $65 to deliver but not install the dryer?

I used to work at Sears a million years ago when I was in high school. I buy most of our appliances from Sears. They have a good selection and usually I can get it delivered the same day or the next day.

 

[disneysteve]

Hey, Steve, was this the Lowe's that charged you $65 to deliver but not install the dryer?

Yep, that's the place.