Having done several major house renovations, I’ve learned a lot about appliances. Most importantly, you can’t count on any one brand to deliver consistent superior quality (well, maybe with the exception of Miele) so you’re right when you say everyone hates everything!
I’m one who likes to research everything before I buy, and I’m pretty frugal, but I also love to cook, so I’m usually willing to splurge in the kitchen. Even with splurging, I’ve still had just as many problems with the higher-end appliances as with the mid-range ones so don’t think price equates to quality. Also, I have an online subscription to Consumer Reports and usually check it before I make a major purchase but more often than not, the CR ratings don’t mean much or don’t even include the model I’m looking at.
Anyway, for what it’s worth, I’ve had decent experience with GE Monogram refrigerators (although lots of people bitch and moan about them); I’ve had terrible experience with a DCS range and a Thermador cooktop, I’ve had great experience with a Kenmore Elite washer/dryer, I’d give wonderful high marks to the Waste King disposals (1hp model sells on Costco.com for $99), and I will only buy Miele dishwashers from now on (they’re the only ones with a built-in water softener – the SD water hardness trashes all my glasses) although I’ve also had good experiences with Bosch dishwashers.
Here are the places where I usually buy my appliances: 1) Pacific Sales (they generally have the best prices if you’re doing a whole house and they will pass on contractor discounts to homeowner; don’t forget to also ask for floor models or last year’s models), 2) Sears outlet store on Sherman Way (I think that’s the name of the street) off Morena Blvd. They have lots of good stuff, some without any noticeable defects or scratches. All different brands, most midrange but also some high end stuff, 3) Costco – they are great for lower/mid range appliances, and don’t forget to check costco.com for things not found in their stores. I bought tons of stuff online from them during my last house renovation (they sell tile, flooring, vanities, toilets, even nice doorknobs, which were $38 at Costco for same quality as $58 Baldwins, and when you’re buying 30 doorknobs, that adds up). Also, their no-hassle returns and no restocking fee is a big plus.
There are also lots of other online retailers for most of this stuff, but for appliances, I would stick with the 3 mentioned above. The other online appliance retailers (ABT and AJ Madison are two of the major ones) haven’t beat Pac Sales overall price for a whole house of appliances.
Also, for advice on which appliances to choose, it may not be statistically significant, but I like to check out the random advice on this website -www.thathomesite.com. Click on “forums” and then go to “appliances”. Lots of anecdotal advice and opinions on where to buy and what to buy. Some/most of it tends to run towards the higher end things, but you’ll find lots of opinions and you can even pose a question asking, for example, what’s the best dishwasher (or whatever) for X dollars? Or sometimes people ask, “My whole house appliance budget is $7500, what should I get”? You’ll see lots of replies and opinions…sometimes too much!
