Best time to buy a refrigerator
syt...@yahoo.com
I want to buy a 20 cu. ft. or so (no larger) side-by-side model with an
ice-maker if possible. From what I've seen it appears I can get one for
about $800 or so.
Should I get one now or wait till after the holidays to get better pricing?
Also, any suggestions on brands and models will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sy
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syt...@yahoo.com
jamie
> My almost 30 year old refrigerator is on it's way out.
>
> I want to buy a 20 cu. ft. or so (no larger) side-by-side model with an
> ice-maker if possible. From what I've seen it appears I can get one for
> about $800 or so.
>
> Should I get one now or wait till after the holidays to get better pricing?
>
> Also, any suggestions on brands and models will be appreciated.
Is side-by-side worth an extra $300 or so to you? Side-by-side models
usually cost almost twice as much as top/bottom models of similar size,
and to the best of my memory, have poorer efficiency ratings and poorer
repair statistics than top/bottom models. (I don't think I've ever seen
a side-by-side as small as 20 cu ft.)
--
jamie (mj...@cox-internet.com)
"There's a seeker born every minute."
applianceguy
(mine included) have been given special financing deals, too. Appliances
are not really seasonal so you probably won't find a "fire sale" after
Christmas. Most of us inventory just enough to last between trucks. Our
major vendor trucks arrive weekly so a huge overstock rarely occurs. Have
you looked at 20 cu.ft. sideXside models? They are quite narrow and do not
have a lot of width in the freezer. They do usually offer water & ice in
the door which very few top freezer models have. The only reason I ask is
from experience selling them. If you know what you are getting into and
have evaluated the shape of the storage areas, get one. I personally have a
sideXside and prefer it, but mine is a 25 cu.ft. model. Just so you know,
if you need storage space, you can probably fit a 25 cu.ft. top freezer
model in the same space. As far as brands, we have seen very good service
from both GE and Whirlpool. Each of these makers offers several brands with
similar manufacturing, just different trim and features. Pick one with
features you like and buy it from a reputable firm with a service
department. You will probably find a local dealer who has a better deal
than the "big barn" sales places do!
Paul
<syt...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:sytech-2011...@ool-18bfa9f4.dyn.optonline.net...
Edwin Pawlowski
"applianceguy" <dv...@NOSPAM.appliance-world.com> wrote in message
> Pick one with
> features you like and buy it from a reputable firm with a service
> department. You will probably find a local dealer who has a better deal
> than the "big barn" sales places do!
>
> Paul
Wow, it this true. I've bought two fridge and one freezer from the local
guys. My old freezer died and I did not want to attempt repairs after all
those years, figured a new one would be more efficient. Called the local
dealer, told him what I wanted. He did not have one and it would be two
days to get what I wanted. So, he brought over a used freezer, helped put
all the food into it. Two days later he brought the new one and helped move
the food back to the new one. Even hauled away the original old one.
Would Home Despot or Lowes do that?
Two years later I was thinking about replacing the old second fridge we have
downstairs. Happened to be in Lowes and saw the prices of 18 cu. ft. models
and figured it would be worth that much in energy savings. This was a low
end model, not the big profitable ones.
Went to my local dealer and told him what I saw. He looked in the book and
matched to within $5. They are a member of a co-op and buy ad very good
prices so they can compete with the big box store, but they give better
service.
Ed
e...@snet.net
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
Edwin Pawlowski
> features you like and buy it from a reputable firm with a service
> department. You will probably find a local dealer who has a better deal
> than the "big barn" sales places do!
>
> Paul
Wow, it this true. I've bought two fridge and one freezer from the local
John Gregory
manufactures in production, administration, sales, sales management and
marketing capacities. I called on buyers, merchandising managers, VP's, and
owners from Mom and Pop stores to the largest retailers today. I had
personal hands-on knowledge of and sold the production capabilities of
several manufacturers. Let me share some notes from the top of my head ....
though I don't follow the industry since I retired 4 years ago:
1) I don't know of a major brand that I wouldn't trust with regard to
function. Quality control standards and mass merchants who don't want
headaches from consumers force manufactures to build machines that function
well and last a reasonable length of time. (Less than 30 years in your case.
: - ))
2) You pay more for one that looks prettier... often disproportionate to the
intrinsic value it will deliver in your kitchen once the newness wares off.
But be careful. You're gonna' look at that thing a long time so be sure you
like what you see.
3) Side-by-sides give the convenience of organization; the freezers allow
storage on shelves that are easily reached. You sacrifice refrigerator space
for this convenience. But... there's probably a combination out there that
you’ll find just right as far as you’re concerned. Measure the capacities of
each side and compare as you go from brand to brand.
4) Shop! You don't need to buy one tomorrow as long as the old one still
works ... but that's liable to change any day now; 30 years exceeds normal
life expectance a ton. Visit as many displays that you can squeeze in before
you finally say you've had enough already .... then decide on the brand and
model. Be sure you get that model number right!
5) Merchants! Sears is the powerhouse regarding buying power and share of
market. That doesn't necessarily mean they have the best deals. They're
merchants who know how to make a buck on appliances unlike many who have
come on strong and gone out broke.
If the brand you like and the model can be found at Lowe's... you may find
they have the lowest price. If not and they carry the model, they'll sell it
to you and give you 10% of the entire purchase as an apology. At least
they would a year ago when I bought a dishwasher I selected (not even one
from whom I worked).
If you like your local smaller appliance store better (and there very well
may be personal reason to), go to him/her and give them an opportunity to
have the business by asking them to meet or come close to the price. They
may surprise you.
6) Extended warranties. Can you write a mean letter? If you can express
yourself well in writing and have the fortitude to fight by going to the
executive level of the manufacturer (not the retailer unless it’s a mass
merchant)... and the patience needed to get something resolved... don't buy
an extended warranty. (Refer to the comment about quality control today.)
On the other hand. if you’re the type who wants no questions asked if
something fails within a longer term than what the manufacturer gives you
(make sure you understand what the manufacturer's warranty is before you buy
someone else's as well), then buy the peace of mind. Given the probability
of failure during the time the issuer of the extended warranty is liable…
you’re paying a disproportionately higher premium for the coverage.
7) The largest manufactures of refrigerators today for the US market are
Whirlpool, Frigidaire, and GE. All global, all maintain high and tight
quality control standards. All sell under an assortment of brands and all
make major appliances for big retailers under their brand names like Kenmore
(as well as make products for each other).
As to your original question of timing… follow these steps and you’ll be
sure to get the lowest price in town. Close outs, liquidations,
bankruptcies… to unpredictable. To add assurance for yourself, ask each
merchant when his “best prices” are offered each year then ask when you can
buy the one you’re interested in the cheapest. He’ll tell you “now” or name
a period but give you a price today. That then becomes your price to beat
elsewhere.
FH
John Gregory
With a 30 year old machine, you'd wait until it failed to begin this lengthy
process? Buy the new... sell the old ... if you cal. You may actually have
to PAY someone to take the old one off your hands. Freon has to be removed
before these things get scraped and that's what may happen to a 30 year old
machine.
DaveG
John Gregory
Really? About a decade ago, I junked a freezer. It cost $25 because a
serviceman had to capture Freon with special equipment. There's nothing in
it for them any more. It actually costs money for them.
However, it the dealer you buy the appliance from provides that service,
great. Not all do... like Lowes. But if he takes it, the buyer either paid
for it in some the price of the new from the local dealer... or he was
willing to take a shorter margin on the sale. That's what one of those
factors that enable the small dealer to differentiate himself from the big
buys.
The EPA has a distinct regulation about the handling of Freon from junked
cooling systems; refrigerators, cars, room air conditioners. Get caught...
get fined and have them on your back. They don't want the hassle so they
don't take the risk of simply cutting the lines and letting the Freon
escape. If they were a big outfit, the bad press would be crushing. So...
more costs. They'll either say "we don't handle the old ones" or "we have to
charge you our costs fro disposal"... or - like the small guy - he simply
eats the costs. That's why his son and daughter don't want to take over the
mom and pop business he started. They can't make a living at it when they're
young and need to service mortgages and raise families.
AJ Weiss
spoiled food. About the freon... I had to pay, $40 if the local appliance
store came for it, $20 if I dropped it off at the store.