Jean

If you send me an e-mail I'll point you to a link to the appliance dealer from whom I recently ordered my BlueStar RNB 36" range. Although they don't have comprehensive pricing available on-line, they do have pricing listed on their "outlet" link for certain commonly ordered configurations in stainless. In the 36, I think they list a 6 burner option, as well as one with a griddle, and maybe something else. I can also tell you that there was no up-charge for colors on the front of the range (which I'm getting in cobalt), but that they do charge 55 bucks per knob if you want colored knobs (which I'm not getting). I never asked about the other trim options. Swapping the positions of two burners was 165 bucks.

RCS $3000 at Costco.ca. Emailed them since it wouldn't let me check out. Costco states their profit margin on branded items is never more than 14%, which is certainly food for thought, although I do realize that they are HUGE and have buying power. Still, they have to be shipped to Canada from the US, and that price includes shipping and handling within Canada.

Girding my loins to price-check at local dealer, who ALSO won't post prices on website. Checked Craigslist--nothing. I am somewhat perturbed by the $400+ difference in two online retailers, both of whom offer no tax and free shipping.

I don't know if it's worth it to try HomeEverything, AJ Madison, and Abt?? No posted prices there, either. But I've read that many sites use tracking software, so if you go from one site to another, they may try to beat the competition's price??

djg1, thank you! I was posting at the same time that you were :-) I went to your page, but there was no link to email you. Would you mind emailing me, please?

Thank you,

Jean

In many cases, the lack of published prices and refusal to sell outside certain geographical areas are due to requirements set forth by the manufacturer.

Enmnm, thank you. One website did mumble something about manufacturer restrictions, and they could only deliver the BS within 100 miles of their store. Do you know the reason why the mfr would impose those restrictions? I am just wildly curious, as well as frustrated. I was looking at DCS at a local dealer yesterday, and he will beat ANY price I can find anywhere, but really want the BS or Capital. He can't get them.

Summer, there is no reason to expect a dealer is going to gouge you just because it's hard to find on-line prices. As you can see by the posts around here these are complex appliances and require a bit of an interview process before a sale. Otherwise a retailer risks post sales problems or very expensive returns.

Frankly I would not buy something like this from Costco, but it's just me. Whether you go with Bluestar or Capital you're going to need customer service at some point and if you buy from a zero-value-add retailer you're likely to regret it. (Even the manufacturer could tell you that the Costco specials are exactly that.)

Just my thoughts/experience on the matter.

-Stooxie

Some brands are UMRP - essentially price fixed by the manufacturer/distributor. They set a minimum price below which a dealer cannot sell the product. The price can vary by region of the country but dealers are not allowed to sell outside their region or they will lose the right to sell the product. This was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court a few years ago since the price fixing is only with a given brand - not collusion across manufacturers. Essentially they're saying that if you don't like the price of a particular brand, you're free to buy a competitive brand.

ajmadison has prices online but they don't seem to have RCS. 36" 6 burner...

Culinarian (CGMR366) - $5490
RNB (RNB366BV1) - $5090

E-mail sent -- let me know if it doesn't go through

"I am somewhat perturbed by the $400+ difference in two online retailers"

summerbabies - if this is the case you should probably move to a country that has a highly regulated economy and marketplace. Remember the other side of the coin: Should I/WE be perturbed that you or your spouse make more money than someone else doing the same job? There is always something/somebody cheaper. You have to work to determine worth and value.

Your local Costco often has deals/agreement with local vendors for certain items that are sold in you store. Thisis especially true with cars, carpet, countertops, cabinetry, and the other kiosk products you find at the exit. I'm pretty sure the jewelery department is asimilar arrangement and the optical is a space rented by an optometrist. So...............just because a store in Winnipeg has a BlueStar doesn't mean that the store in Vail, CO is going to have it too.

Stooxie, thank you. The first thing I did upon seeing the RNB (after I wiped the drool off my chin) was ask the dealer if there was a local BS service person. There is!

Weissman, thank you, you are absolutely correct. I didn't see your post before I left, but the dealer said the EXACT same thing. There are indeed geographical price restrictions, although the out-of-area shipping thing is a little weird. She explained it all, including the fact that any other dealer in the state has to charge the exact same price. They do offer a discount for cash, though, to offset the cc charges. But they can't offer any further discounts, like to contractors or designers.

Foodonastump, thank you. I have settled on the BS after finally seeing it in person this afternoon. Oh, what a BEAUTY!!! And....after all my carrying on...their price is BETTER than anything I found online, even with a whopping tax bill *sigh*

I think, though, I might go with the RCS since the difference is only 4k BTU on one burner and a couple of thousand in price. I can use that money for a REALLY nice sink :-) Oh, no, wait, I need it for the range hood! I'll see how the cabinet bids come in and then decide.

Antss, I am no longer perturbed because I am happy with the price I found locally :-) OK, I am actually jumping up and down and gibbering. Most undignified, but I have lived with a horrible Jenn-Air 4-burner electric downdraft for nine years and cannot wait to throw it in the dumpster. And I had the geographical price-fixing explained to me :-)

No, DH works very, very hard and that is why he makes more than most of his peers. And I have a budget for this kitchen, so it's important to me to get the best price possible for what I want. This is our forever kitchen :-) I need everything-cabinets, appliances, granite--and I have X to spend. Since the range is MOST important, I am a bit obsessed with price. I have found flexibility almost everywhere else--I mean among other brands.

You're right about Costco. The model number is different. I also remember reading somewhere that small appliances manufactured for Wal-Mart are often made of much cheaper materials than those made for other markets. So I would never buy a small appliance at Wal-Mart.

I really like my Blanco Silgranite II sinks! :)

-Stooxie

summerbabies - my intent was not to debate your husband's earning power or competence. It was to try and get you to see that PRICE in a free market is not fixed across the board even on the exact same item. It cost less to ship an item from the port in Charleston, SC to Atlanta than it does to a dealer in northern Montana. Rent in NYC is more than it is in New Orleans and so is wage scale.

There is also service to consider nice showrooms, competent sales people "free" delivery ect... all cost and have to be factored into the bottom line and can affect an item's price to the end user.

Now, just because one place's price is higher doesn't mean they DELIVER increased service, and that was my comment about you having to determine worth.

Stooxie: Not to hijack this thread, but which Blanco Sink do you have? Can't figure out how to E-Mail you.

Iceman,

My email is stooxie@yahoo.com.

I have a Blanco Diamond Super Single Bowl. It's HUGE and awesome and no silly (imo) partitions/double bowls to limit what you can get in it. Link attached. The material is easy on dishes, pans, etc, too, yet very durable.

To the OP, I HIGHLY recommend a single bowl sink for the main kitchen sink.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Sink

In another thread, a GW member from Canada purchased an RCS model from Costco there. Once the range was uncrated the owner discovered that it had no 18K burner. So if you decide to go the Costco route, be sure to verify the configuration of the burners and whether they are satisfactory prior to purchase.

Stooxie: The E-Mail address you listed above keeps being rejected - Do you have another one?

Hello,

I will be getting the BS 36" RNB w/ grill. Can anyone please help with oridering this range for the best price. Im in Long Island, NY

Thanks

CPE in North Georgia has prices on the BlurStar range I am considering that are lower than anywhere else I've seen online. They have a location in Franklin, NC also. I believe you have to pick it up there however. Keep in mind that your "free" shipping offered by online vendors probably isn't really free...the cost of the product is adjusted so they don't lose money by not adding in shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: CPE Supply