# How do you effectively shop for large appliances? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084 "2017-11-19T18:02:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/41 "2017-11-24T04:12:36Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > Amazon and other online reviews are a good start but have to be taken with a grain of salt: manufacturers can and do post their own fluffed up reviews on publicly accessibly sites. In order to do so they have to (in effect) buy their own product from Amazon. And then, they have to hide who they are. Not impossible, but not as easy as it once was. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/42 "2017-11-24T07:33:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > In order to do so they have to (in effect) buy their own product from Amazon. And then, they have to hide who they are. Not impossible, but not as easy as it once was. Sellers on Amazon routinely buy reviews from people (especially people that do unboxing/reviews on YouTube or their websites). It’s against Amazon’t T&Cs, but the people doing it don’t care. Here’s an email I received just this week: > [@](#): > > This is Terry from [company redacted] > > I‘m writing to check if there is an opportunity for us to cooperate. > > [Amazon product link redacted] > > （UK only） $0 > We need some good review. We refund when you order within 12 hours.It starts selling in two days and now looking for good reviewer. > 1：Write more than 200 words and video review > 2：You have Paypal > 3 : Show me your profile first. > 4 : Write Q&A first, I can give you a question . > 5 : If your profile is so good (reviews is little),We can refund first, Then you order. > > Best > > Terry > > Overseas Department Manager This definitely wasn’t a scam - it originated from the official domain of a well-known brand. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_horsepower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@mr\_horsepower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_horsepower)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/43 "2017-11-24T08:42:34Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Just a random anecdotal yet personal data point for you: My fridge is a lower budget Sears Kenmore that is approaching its 13th birthday. It does not make ice or dispense water or anything special. Maybe keeping it simple is the way to go. this x10. your most basic, bottom of the line appliances are your best appliances. the more options the appliance has (digital displays, soft touch controls, etc..) the more circuit boards, associated wiring, sensors & switches they’ll have. it’s not by accident that these components, especially the boards, are not equipped to handle the environment they’re in & the voltage fluctuations & occasional power surges they see during their often short lives. their failure generates either high dollar part sales or new appliance sales sooner than should be & the same person with the income to afford the “best” last time is who they want back in to buy the “best, newest model” next time. i can’t tell you how many older, basic, top freezer/ bottom fridge refrigerators I’ve seen people rely on while their new stainless steel p.o s. units were sitting waiting on s.o. parts or were back at the shop having the sealed system repaired. it’s counter intuitive, but the cheaper the appliance the better the appliance & you’d be best advised to get surge protectors for any of them, especially the high dollar ones. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/44 "2017-11-24T14:24:40Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I buy used and refurbished. In may areas there are used appliance stores which will deliver and install, take the old one out, and even give a short warranty (often only 30 days). All for a fractiosn of new. And better stuff, as you pointed out. By “better” I mean longer lasting, tougher, but usually less complicated features. This. My local used store has a 6 mos. warranty and they’re great. Never had a problem. For a fraction of the cost of new, I get a working machine, and honestly, I have had used reefers for 10+ years in some of my rentals. So now I buy used for my home as well. And the guys there tell me “They don’t build them like this anymore.” ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/45 "2017-11-24T15:23:15Z")
I guess TL;DR, you shop for features (or lack thereof), and price, but there’s no way to shop for quality anymore. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/46 "2017-11-24T23:00:39Z")
That’s not necessarily true. Buying a commercial grade fridge is going to be a large investment but they’re built to last. Same is true of most appliances, really. Good, Fast, Cheap. You can only pick two. A quick study in quality: I’m currently looking for a replacement coffee maker as we are on our 4th in 11 years. I could spend $25 on a 10 cup Mr.Coffee and get meh results (and I’m assured by all and sundry that “they bought one twenty years ago and it runs just as good as the day they bought it.”) Aside from the fact it makes horrible,weak ass coffee that’s completely bitter, sure. We bought (in order) a KitchenAid, A second KitchenAid, a Delonghi, and a CuisineArt , the least expensive of which was roughly $100. I’m likely going to buy a [Technivorm Moccamaster Grand](http://www.technivorm.com/products/brewers_for_small_offices/cdt_grand_1/), which is a $350 coffee maker. That is a lot of money for a small appliance. Had I choked down the price initially I’d be ahead roughly $100 since I’ve spend closer to $450 over that 11 year span. It doesn’t have a fancy electronic timer, or a hot plate, or many/if any plastic parts and most of the parts are user replaceable if they do go south. Its only job is make great coffee, in a large enough amount to satisfy the daily requirements of my wife and I. It also looks fantastic, IMO. A commercial Bunn would be close to the same price and have the same basic premise just not quite as pretty. If you are looking at a $3500 LG, maybe it’s time to look at a Sub-Zero, or a Wolf if they’ll fill your needs. There are also other brands that focus on the basics rather than the gimmicks, it just requires more effort to find. A quick link to [Costco](https://www.costco.ca/commercial-refrigerators.html) as a starting point. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/47 "2017-11-25T01:40:32Z")
The previous owners of our house sprung for a Sub-Zero fridge in 1995. It’s doing fine. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_horsepower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@mr\_horsepower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_horsepower)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2017, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/48 "2017-11-25T07:40:03Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > That’s not necessarily true. Buying a commercial grade fridge is going to be a large investment but they’re built to last. Same is true of most appliances, really. Good, Fast, Cheap. You can only pick two. perhaps I’m just getting old, but I’m ok with slow refrigerators. given those options, I’ll take good & cheap every time. > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > The previous owners of our house sprung for a Sub-Zero fridge in 1995. It’s doing fine. 1997 model Kelvinator basic fridge/ freezer at my house happily purring along as i type. it was purchased from a school auction in 2000 (they were remodeling) for $125. new it was probably $375-$400. I’ve replaced the compressor relay & a defroster bi-metal (thermal switch) during the time I’ve had it. the parts cost me $35 I’m guessing. worth mentioning is I’ve seen/ repaired/ sold plenty of refrigerators that people assumed were “bad”, and cheap, simple repairs like those were all it took to get them up & working properly for years on end afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084/49 "2017-11-26T00:56:37Z")
On the other hand, I just bought a new double oven today. The existing one is a GE that probably datea to the 1980s. The top oven has been dead for a few years, and the bottom one can no longer hold a consistent temperature. We bought another mid-range GE, and we went to an established appliance store because oven sizes have changed in the last thirty years, meaning that the installation and electrical are going to be tricky. It is Wi-Fi enabled, so I’ll never again have to wonder if I left the oven on when I left the house. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-effectively-shop-for-large-appliances/802084.md?page=2)