Seeking Advice on Purchasing Refrigerator and Washer/dryer

I used to sell homes for a builder for 8 years. I would always recommend my buyers to look at the Sears Outlet-there is one in Grapevine Mills Mall and one off Beltline/Marsh. They have a sale called the Scratch and Dent sale. The scratches are usually in the back but they can be on the sides and they are 1/2 the cost yet still brand new. My friend and I got the same refrigerator....I bought new at $1500 and she bought at the sale for $700 and her scratch was in the back. I was not a happy camper.

I highly recommend Sears Kenmore brand washer and dryer. I bought my first set 16 years ago and just this year had to replace the washer!! I think they are a really good value...not fancy, but hard working. Sorry I can't help with the fridge, mine is still going strong after 12 years. It's a Whirlpool. Good luck!

You have gotten some good ideas on where to buy, so I won't address that, but one thing you might want to think about on the washing machine. Look at the frontloaders. They cost more on the front end, but what you will save in water will make up that cost in the first year. They use 1/3 of the water that a toploader uses and the tumble action is much gentler on your clothes than the agitator and it still gets the clothes squeeky clean. I have a Fridaire Gallery frontloader that I bought in 1997 and it is still going strong and I STILL love it! Also a gas dryer costs approximately $50 more than an electric but is much more cost efficient to operate.

Conn's seems to have great deals. You just have to watch for them. We moved in July 2007, and wanted a new fridge for when we moved. We had our eye on this one Black Whirlpool Gold fridge, I think retails for close to $1500. My hubby found it in a Conn's ad a month or so before our move for $899! We were ecstatic. Plus their service is really good, and they delivered when promised. Their delivery guys were very nice as well.

Hi K.
I would recommend going to Grapevine Mills Mall, go to the Sears Outlet, you can get smoking good deals there. I wish I had known about it when we moved here. You will need to look everything over though, they are the items that are scratched or have a dent. Find one on the side of fridge and you are set. You can get a really high end fridge for $900 or less. And no problem finding a washer/dryer within your price range. Good luck with the move.

Hi K.,
Check out what you think you want around here then check www.abtelectronics.com they're based in the Chicago area but ship anywhere in the country for a small fee - no more than you'd pay at Best Buy, Home Depot or Lowes and their prices are pretty good. They're a full electronics and appliance retailer and have a large variety of washers and dryers. Sears is also always a good option. Maytag and Whirlpool are both now owned by Whirlpool, both are great options for wahsers & dryers - even affordable ones! As far as a fridge, I believe most side by sides tend to be closer to the $1000.00 range, top freezer bottom fridges can usually be found cheaper. Good luck!

Narrow down your list and then go to Best Buy, Lowe's and Home Depo, they always have "floor models" at a reduced cost. Sometimes you can even get "last year's model" for a big discount. I bought a freezer that was "last year's model" and saved over $100, that was 10 years ago and it still running like a champ.

We purchased a new refrigerator from a Sears "Scratch & Dent" store and got a GREAT deal. There is one on Midway around Keller Springs (I think), but there is also one in Grapvine or Coppell that would be closer to you. Look online or in the yellow pages. They sell store models and unboxed things. For example, If I bought one and it got to my house and it didn't fit and I had to return it for a different model.
They are not major dents just little dings or scrapes. You just have to go to the store to see what they have on hand at the time. Good luck

If you dont mind buying used, look at www.craigslist.com. There are tons of them on there. The only thing is you have to pick it up yourself, the sellers dont deliver!

since you still have a little time-check at Best Buy and look for their yellow tagged open "box" specials. Sometimes you can get fantastic deals but you just have to keep checking. Also, at Grapevine Mills Mall in the Sears Home Store(I think that's the name) They have some great deals as well. Conns is good too. Just a few options.

There is a Sears scratch and dent showroom in Addison on Marsh, just north of Beltline. We found a SS refrig. with all the bells and whistles for a steal. If you have some time before moving in, I'd suggest start looking there now, as they have sales on different areas of the store (refrig, dishwashers, w/d) every week and their stock (obviously) changes all the time. We could live with some imperfections on the side or back for the savings!

You can likley get items for the prices you want, but you may not get the style you want. For example, the cheapest refrigerators have the freezer on top. The side-by-side are not a good value in my opinion. Also, I don't think the water/ice on the door is worth the expense (I had that once and would never have that again). I paid more for a freezer on the bottom model with French doors because I wanted more freezer space and my kitchen is small, so the french doors are nice. As far as washer/dryer, I recently bought the front loading washer and LOVE it. We have lots of allergies, thus we have to wash all of our bedding frequently. With the front loads, you can easily wash all your comforters/blankets at home, but it is a challenge in a top-loading. To save on costs, you could get a front loading washer and then just a basic dryer. Although, I also like the size of the matching dryer I got - it saves time because I can do really large loads. Also, you consider that you'll have the machines for at least 10 years. And, dryers last alot longer than washers.

Costco offers the best return/refund policy you will find anywhere...without buying a warranty. They will gladly refund you for the lifetime of the product. If a refrigerator 'should' last 7 yrs (for example) they will refund you cash if the frig. goes out in 4 yrs. Check out the policy before you buy anywhere else.

Go to the Sears outlet!They sell returns and items that have been scratched and dented. Some scratches are barely noticeable, but deeply discounted. The dents are usually minor. Our fridge has a small dent on the side next to the cabinets. No one ever sees it. We're so lucky here because there are 2 in pretty close proximity. There is a smallish one at Grapevine Mills Mall, drive around the perimeter, it is on the back side. The other location is in Carrollton on Marsh just north of Beltline Rd. This is the main location. Everything in Grapevine tends to be the higher ticket items that sell better i.e. stainless steel. However, there is a much better selection at the Carrollton location. Take a couple of trips, if you don't find what you're looking for one day, try again. I believe they get deliveries everday except Sunday. I have purchased from them MANY times over the years both in California and here. I've bought refrigerators and w/d and have been pleased. For these big ticket items, buy the warranty protection. The warranty protects you in case there is a problem, but if a replacement is needed, they'll replace it for the full price of the item, not your purchase price. For example, I bought a SS KitchenAid refrigerator for $1250, the retail price is around $2400. So if something went bad that couldn't be fixed (a lemon), they would credit me $2400 to purchase another refrigerator. It doesn't even have to be the same brand or model. To me that kind of protection is priceless.

Also, I think their sales promotions run Thurs to Wed. If you're there on Wed, some of the sales folks will tell you if a appliance type is going on sale the next week. They're not supposed to, but many do it. Just be sure to try to buy with the sales person as I believe they're on commission.

Congrats on the new house and happy appliance hunting : )

K. C.

Your best bet is the Sears Appliance Outlet - one id Dallas and one at Grapevine Mills Mall. They have scratch and dent appliances usually maked down to half price. Watch for the ad in the Thursday paper for what will be marked down even more that week. It can also be viewed at www.shopping.dallasnews.com with all of the other ads that are in the Dallas Morning news. Who cares if there is a scratch on the side where no one can see it for that kind of deal!

In this days with the price of electricity rising, make sure you buy products that have a seal that make them energy efficient. Sometimes they are not cheap but you sabe money in the long run. I found a good selection en places like Lowest and Sears and the make Kenmore.

Lowe's supposedly has the best selection of all all fridges and will meet or beat any price.
If you want higher end, Ed Kellum and son on Cole Street (Knox Henderson area) will deal but they are the cat's meow so you won't get a high end fridge for under $1000. They know there stuff though so you won't end up with an idiot sales person. Same with Jarrell Appliances (ask for Floyd).
There are often deals on www.craigslist.com when people are remodeling. You might could get something used for a great deal as well. You can also check out the Sears outlets but may have a scratch or dent or something.
Also Costco has some good deals with free delivery. you can look at www.costco.com