Appliances - pros and cons?

[laddhorn]

Last year, we got a great deal on a washer/dryer set.  I think it was 40-50 off.  This year, we have been watching refrigerators.  We have settled on one of the higher end models by LG.  We need something B-I-G. 

I should probably measure the area....

Anyway..What is the likelihood that we will score a deal on the specific model we want?  Or will we likely need to compromise?  Is it a percentage off the whole line?  Has anyone ever tried to cut a "deal" on the packages that are commonly offered and throw in different models? For example, you don't care about the model of microwave/dishwasher, but want a certain stove or refrigerator.  You pay a bit more to get what you want, but it ends up as a better deal getting the whole kitchen rather than buying one or two at a time.

 

Is there a better time of year to buy (**GASP!**)? 

 

Heck, are LG refrigerators junk?  Should we look at other brands?  Stay away from certain brands?

[len_mullen]

recommend you start your search on consumersearch.com.  it's a 'meta' review site that recommends based on the credible reviews of others -- professional and consumer.

[Brad]

Keep in mind that Home Depot/Lowe's/Best Buy/etc. start their Black Friday appliance deals the first week of November (last year I think it was on 10/31) so there's no real reason you have to wait for BF and the ads because those prices will be the lowest they go.

 

They don't do a % off the whole line - each model has a different % off depending on various factors, so you'll just have to wait and see what each store offers.

 

If Lowe's has a deal you can score a 10% off coupon easily which can greatly help for high priced appliances.

[magickallight]

If Lowe's has a deal you can score a 10% off coupon easily which can greatly help for high priced appliances.

 

Where do you score the coupon?

[bossy1]

Last year, we got a great deal on a washer/dryer set.  I think it was 40-50 off.  This year, we have been watching refrigerators.  We have settled on one of the higher end models by LG.  We need something B-I-G. 

I should probably measure the area....

Anyway..What is the likelihood that we will score a deal on the specific model we want?  Or will we likely need to compromise?  Is it a percentage off the whole line?  Has anyone ever tried to cut a "deal" on the packages that are commonly offered and throw in different models? For example, you don't care about the model of microwave/dishwasher, but want a certain stove or refrigerator.  You pay a bit more to get what you want, but it ends up as a better deal getting the whole kitchen rather than buying one or two at a time.

 

Is there a better time of year to buy (**GASP!**)? 

 

Heck, are LG refrigerators junk?  Should we look at other brands?  Stay away from certain brands?

 

Only part I can answer is that IMO yes LG is a good fridge.I have had a 22.5 refrig with a bottom freezer for almost 15 years. In all honestly it's NEVER given me any trouble.

[laddhorn]

Where do you score the coupon?

 

Yes, inquiring minds want to know!

I tried to do their 10% off "new home" coupon a few years ago and was denied.  I think I have gotten the coupon this way in the past.  Is it hidden somewhere?

recommend you start your search on consumersearch.com.  it's a 'meta' review site that recommends based on the credible reviews of others -- professional and consumer.

Thanks!  I will (ab)use that site now as I didn't know it existed.

[bluebear]

Where do you score the coupon?

I just went and did a quick search on eBay and came up with several.

 

I usually shop Home Depot because it's closer, but I'll have to keep this coupon in mind for big purchases.

Thanks Brad for the heads up!

[len_mullen]

I've used that coupon MANY times at Home Depot.  

[bluebear]

I've used that coupon MANY times at Home Depot.

Oh thanks! Yay.

[riven3d]

Don't forget if you have a Lowe's credit card you get 5% off your purchase price as well

 

Also I recommend getting their warranty, We just replaced our fridge from them that we bought 3 years ago, it was  a 5yr warranty we got, they gave us back the full purchase price that we paid,  they will also replace the cost of any food spoilage you had because of it. funny how you never know how much money exactly you have in product in your fridge until you have to make a list for it and price everything.. we had $243 in it that we just got a check for in the mail, time to go get some groceries lol

[DeanH]

LG's supposed to be good, as is Kenmore, Samsung, etc.  In fact, from what I've heard/read, the brand to absolutely avoid in almost all appliances is Frigidaire/Electrolux.  Horrid reliability.

 

The main question I have about LG and Samsung is how the build out of their factory service tech network has progressed, as well as spare part availability.  Have heard complaints here and there over time about poor/non-existent factory service techs, esp. from Samsung, and very sparse spare part availability causing long delays in getting repairs completed. 

[magickallight]

Hope to get a good deal on a stand up freezer this year - as I keep falling into our old chest style trying to dig things off the bottom!

[len_mullen]

Hope to get a good deal on a stand up freezer this year - as I keep falling into our old chest style trying to dig things off the bottom!

 

On my list as well.  Not a priotity -- looking for a deal.  Have you considered putting your stuff in milk crates?  You'll surrender some space, but gain some organization.

[magickallight]

On my list as well.  Not a priotity -- looking for a deal.  Have you considered putting your stuff in milk crates?  You'll surrender some space, but gain some organization.

 

I have considered it - but the freezer I am looking to replace came from my hubby's divorce over 23 years ago and it was OLD them - so I think it's time for an upgrade.

[tyreejames]

Hope to get a good deal on a stand up freezer this year - as I keep falling into our old chest style trying to dig things off the bottom!

Our chest freezer is 12+ years old and I would love to get an upright one. It’s still rolling though and it would be harder to fit an upright in the space where the chest freezer currently is. One day though [emoji4]

[laddhorn]

I just went and did a quick search on eBay and came up with several.

 

I usually shop Home Depot because it's closer, but I'll have to keep this coupon in mind for big purchases.

Thanks Brad for the heads up!

I'll begin searching ebay soon, then! 

 

Hope to get a good deal on a stand up freezer this year - as I keep falling into our old chest style trying to dig things off the bottom!

 

I would also like to get one of these, but I don't have electrical run where I have room to put it.  So...beer fridge or freezer....  Hmmmm

[msomnipotent]

My 9 year old GE Profile just broke and I was quoted $1,000 for the compressor, if they could get one. I was told that it was made with Samsung parts and they are hard to get still. The salesman at Best Buy said that both Samsung and LG are better with replacement parts but only if you are an authorized repair shop. Whirlpool was recommended to me, so I bought the WRX916 model. I have had 2 within the past 3 or 4 weeks and I can't stand it. The first one never worked. The second one is keeping the food cold but has all kinds of problems and is waiting for parts that are estimated to take 5-6 weeks. I have had 3 repair visits from 2 different companies and Whirlpool won't do anything other than send people out. I'm ready to buy an import and take my chances with parts. 

 

The thing that is making it hard for me is that all these new fridges have all kinds of shelves that do nothing but take up space and cannot be removed. There are two narrow sliding shelves in my new freezer and the bottom part is sectioned off for pizza boxes and whatever else. It takes up so much space that I can only fit a few things in there. All of the fridges I looked at were like this. It drives me nuts. It seems like all the companies went nuts with bells and whistles and forgot about usable space. I wished I paid to have the old fridge repaired at this point.

 

I have purchased appliances on BF before and got a good deal, but there is usually a long wait time because of backorders. It was almost March when I finally got my washer and dryer last year.

Edited October 3, 2019 by msomnipotent

[len_mullen]

My 9 year old GE Profile just broke and I was quoted $1,000 for the compressor, if they could get one. I was told that it was made with Samsung parts and they are hard to get still. The salesman at Best Buy said that both Samsung and LG are better with replacement parts but only if you are an authorized repair shop. Whirlpool was recommended to me, so I bought the WRX916 model. I have had 2 within the past 3 or 4 weeks and I can't stand it. The first one never worked. The second one is keeping the food cold but has all kinds of problems and is waiting for parts that are estimated to take 5-6 weeks. I have had 3 repair visits from 2 different companies and Whirlpool won't do anything other than send people out. I'm ready to buy an import and take my chances with parts. 

 

The thing that is making it hard for me is that all these new fridges have all kinds of shelves that do nothing but take up space and cannot be removed. There are two narrow sliding shelves in my new freezer and the bottom part is sectioned off for pizza boxes and whatever else. It takes up so much space that I can only fit a few things in there. All of the fridges I looked at were like this. It drives me nuts. It seems like all the companies went nuts with bells and whistles and forgot about usable space. I wished I paid to have the old fridge repaired at this point.

 

I have purchased appliances on BF before and got a good deal, but there is usually a long wait time because of backorders. It was almost March when I finally got my washer and dryer last year.

 

GE doesn't make appliances anymore.  A couple years ago, GE sold the business to Haier.  Haier bought the entire business including manufacturing, R&D, and the employees.  GE invested $1m in the Louisville facility as part of the deal.  As part of the deal, GE employees get a discount on these appliances.  Over the last three years, I have replaced my washer and dryer, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher.  I am very happy with all of the appliances -- so is Consumer Reports and a number of other reviewers.  I recommend anyone pondering an appliance purchase start their research at consumersearch.com.

 

I would hold off on a dishwasher purchase as the president is going to rollback regulations that have made dishwashers less effective, more expensive, and less reliable: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/climate/trump-dishwasher-regulatory-rollback.html

 

The biggest determinant of failure on a refrigerator is design.  The ones that include ice makers and water dispensers are least reliable.  The most reliable refrigerators are the freezer over refrigerator style.  They are also cheapest.  I have a 30 year old GE top freezer refrigerator in my basement which still runs great.  Unfortunately, it is rusting through.  It has survived the frig that replaced it.

 

As for washing machines, the problem is with the energystar objectives.  Hopefully, these regulations are being scrutinized.  No appliance wastes enough energy to offset the cost of manufacturing a replacement and the value of the landfill space consumed by the efficient appliance.  When I was shopping for a washer, I bought one of these...

 

https://premierappliancestore.com/ge-gtw680bsj5ws-46-cu-ft-high-efficiency-white-top-load-washing-machine-energy-star.html

 

It's a top loader which means it cost less and will last longer.  Best feature? Deep fill!  Deep fill adds water to the tub when you actually need clean clothes.

 

I bought a smooth top electric range with convection oven.  Love it!  Easy to clean and consistent to cook on.  Extra counter space when I am not cooking.

 

I replaced my microwave as well.  No magic in microwaves -- just common sense: Big Enough, Easy to Clean, Turntable.  I mounted mine over the range which gave me some additional counter space and put the over at eyeball height which really helps with cleaning.

 

JC Penny is a great place to shop for appliances.  Watch for sales and cash back from them and others.

 

Happy shopping!