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Help with starting to buy appliances! Where to start?

16 years ago

Hi,

We are doing a remodel to our kitchen which is unusable (thought we oculd wait). Nothing extreme - new cabinets, floor and appliances (meaning nothing structural). We're not doing Viking ,Subzero, etc due to cost.

Can anyone help me with where to start for manufacturers; I need oven, fridge, dishwasher, range. There are so many out there I've been looking but not sure if I should zoom in on one brand or another.

Thanks, for ANY and all advice.

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Comments (2)

rgillman
16 years ago
Jalk - you might start by reading the appliance forum; lots of information there. Just keep in mind that every brand of every kind of appliance has its share of love-fests and horror stories. Just read there and here, as much as you can. I ordered a Caldera cooktop (which I had never heard of) based on messages here and on the appliance list, and have heard pros and cons for almost everything else. I ordered a KA dishwasher because I have loved them in the past and my daughter loves hers; there have been moans and groans here, so we will see. I ordered an oven by GE Monogram based on what I learned here. I would not buy a KA oven - again, based on complaints here and on the KA forum. I'm buying an Advantium based on what I've learned here.

Some Bosch dw owners love their dw's and others complain about a horrible smell; Dacor ovens have gotten raves and raspberries. In the end, you have to go with your gut: go to multiple appliance stores (local dealers are best - not the chains); read the reviews on epinions; and keep your eyes and ears open. In the end, it's a crapshoot. Buy extended warranties for everything.
berryberry
16 years ago
Jalk - well if you are not going high end - then this 2007 JD Powers survey may be beneficial. Here is the summary -

2007 Major Home Appliance Study

The 2007 Major Home Appliance Study measures customer satisfaction in nine segments of major home appliances: dishwashers; free-standing ranges; built-in cooktops and wall ovens; freezer-on-top style refrigerators; side-by-side and French door-style refrigerators; clothes washers; clothes dryers; over-the-range microwave ovens; and countertop microwave ovens. The study, now in its third year, examines customer satisfaction with microwave ovens for the first time. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: operational performance (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); operational features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty.

Industry: Electronics
Category: Home Appliance

Awards

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Clothes Washers
Awardee(s): LG Electronics

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Freezer-on-Top Refrigerators
Awardee(s): Whirlpool

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Built-In Cooktops and Wall Ovens
Awardee(s): GE Appliances

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Free-Standing Ranges
Awardee(s): Maytag

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Countertop Microwave Ovens
Awardee(s): GE Appliances

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Over-the-Range Microwave Ovens in a Tie
Awardee(s): Whirlpool Gold, Kenmore

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Clothes Dryers
Awardee(s): LG Electronics

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Dishwashers
Awardee(s): Bosch

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Side-by-Side/French Door Refrigerators
Awardee(s): Samsung

Here is a link that might be useful: Full JD Powers 2007 Appliance Survey Results and press release
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