The sales tax break also makes it tempting. But I haven't had the guts to try it on anything in that price range larger than a notebook computer (which you can easily ship back for service or if it arrives damaged).

Do you have someone locally who can service these items if they need it? I guess that's the main concern I have.

5 years ago, I bought all of my appliances (except refrigerator)online, as well as the sink, faucet, standing Boos block & hardware. Maybe I was lucky, but I didn't have the slightest problem. Nothing arrived damaged, or late, or different from advertised. I don't know exactly how much I saved, but judging by the prices of pro appliances in Central VA, it was substantial - & the selection on the internet is far superior.

Besides paying with a credit card, one thing I recommend is to place/confirm your order by email (rather than telephone) on large, expensive, custom items that are not easily returnable. That way, if the dealer ships the wrong thing, you have it in writing as to what you wanted & paid for.

I'm also concerned about getting things on time. I ordered some outdoor lighting from Homeclick last year, and one arrived with slight damage. They were happy to fix the problem, but now of course it was no longer in stock. Took about 3 months to fix. :(

I wonder too if local merchants will honor online pricing?

I had a great experience buying my Capital Range online. After months of research I purchased my range from Performance Appliance & BBQ. I received excellent service before, during, and after. Bill Jr. answered my many questions and found answers for the ones he did not know and got back to me quickly. Shipping was fine and my 48" range and hood arrived in perfect condition. I couldn't give a greater recommendation for anyone considering a major appliance. Performance Appliance & BBQ sells on ebay and I belive they now have an online store too. I got a great price too!
Best to you,
Lynda

We got our F&P oven from a retailer who sells through Ebay, as well as having a website and an actual store in Alabama, I think it is. They answered emails thoroughly and promptly. The oven came very quickly and in perfect condition. We got our other appliances through a trusted local appliance store, from a salesman with whom we've had years of good experience, and we know gives us the best prices he can. Without him, we probably would have done more on-line. His store, like many now, doesn't do their own servicing anyway, so I don't think it'd be any tougher to get service for an item ordered online, since that is really up to the manufacturer. Whether you buy it from a local store or online, you should always check service availability in your area for the particular brands.

Most, if not all, "brick & mortar" stores will not price match online prices...they will only price match other "brick & mortar" stores...and then only local ones.

We looked into this about a year ago and no one in the Wash DC/Baltimore/Frederick area that we called would price match online prices. Now granted, we didn't call every appliance store, but we called all the big box (HD, Lowes, Sears) and some independents (Bettar Appliances, and two or three others that I don't remember now)

BTW...we were looking for a dryer and the best prices were at HD and Sears for a GE Adora dryer--which, I'm now regretting since it doesn't dry very well--we purchased it PG (pre-GW)!

HTH!

My experience, Buehl, has been different. I just ordered the Caldera cooktop through a local retailer who is getting it for me from the distributor (who retails on-line as Homeclick) and I am paying $120 less than Homeclick's on-line price. I did, after lots of hunting, find an on-line source for $30 less than I am paying, but I'd rather deal with a local small business for the $30.

I bought all the rest of my appliances from another local retailer and they gave me better prices than I saw anywhere on the net for all of my appliances and for the extended warranties.

Many of the small independent appliance dealers are members of the same coop and they band together to buy their stuff in quantity. Often, you can do better with them than with any of the chains who don't care about personal service.

Lots of people are fine w/ on-line appliance shopping; I would be nervous if something goes wrong. Homeclick, for instance, has a 25% restocking fee. That is huge if you buy a $2000 item and change your mind or find it doesn't fit or whatever.

I have made several online purchases but only recently made a large appliance purchase. My faucet I did buy from Homeclick and I received it within a day. It did have a problem and they immediately sent a new one again within a day and issued a call tag for the defective one. The price was better than I could get anywhere locally. Sink was bought online from Home Decor. Price was good and arrived in good shape. I am waiting for delivery of my dishwasher a Miele and Advantium purchased online from U.S. Appliance. Again pricing was a factor. I will know in a few days how well it worked out. So far the most difficult purchase was the range purchased locally which had to be ordered. Dealer screwed up and lost the order. Fortunately I was not on a tight time schedule and I did get a good price. Make sure you do your homework before you order and most purchases should be ok. The way I look at it is that it really is not that much different from the days when people got alot of their stuff by mail order. The internet is kinda like a big electronic Sears catalog.

Thanks for your input, jab913. I hope you will post your final experience with U.S. Appliance and how the appliances worked out. I think they had the best prices on Monograms of anyone I checked. Miele seems to be pretty consistent in price, so I may just get those locally. I must say that Homeclick eventually made everything right. I like your analogy to the Sears catalog!

I bought my Liebherr refrigerator from Eurostoves.com a month ago and had a very good experience with their service. There was a slight mix up in the order but it all worked out.