Buying from big box vs. appliance store
wkate640
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (18)
Fori
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Will big box store take back faulty appliance after a year?? Help
Comments (5)Two calls for an ice maker in a year doesn't seem extreme, but if the ice maker isn't repaired after the second call and the leak has the potential to cause damage to your cabinets or flooring, they might consider replacing it. I have found Lowe's to be reasonable. If you just have cold feet and are worried about future problems, you might ask them to extend the warranty to assure you that the problem will get a lasting repair at no cost to you....See MoreWhat am I missing? Buying from big box stores
Comments (9)I have no personal opinion on this, but I have heard of people who have had their orders completely messed up by the HD/Lowes people, and it takes weeks to straighten out. That's probably one of the things you get with a window professional. Also, when I did my windows, both reps (from window stores) could immediately tell me when a window needed to be tempered glass, and when it had to be a fire escape compliant window. My architectural designer missed one of those...the window guy basically had to change that window to be compliant. My friend's architect missed one or two of the tempered windows. It's just like anything else...if you know what you're doing, and are OCD about double checking everything, then you're probably fine. If you're like me, and burnt out after trying to save money with an architectural designer, and want your actual build to be smoother, then you work with professionals, and hold them accountable when the order isn't right. In our area, prices are marked up quite a bit. By getting quotes from people 40-60 minutes away, the prices were much more comparable with the big boxes...good luck!...See MoreDifference in broken stone mosaic tile from big box vs. tile store?
Comments (3)Home center stores often carry brand names - usually a limited choice, but still great if you can find what you want. The one thing I will not buy at a home center store is a kitchen or bath faucet that will get a lot of use. The faucets even of the name brands like Delta are more plastic and often have a faux finish - looks like chrome or bronze but is just a plastic look alike. I have used home center tile and my tile installer, when I am not doing it myself, said he has no problem with home center tile. In general, he is very picky. I would watch out for the spacing of small tiles on mesh. I have not had any problems, but I have seen people, just today, have problems with penny tile and small hex tiles unevenly placed on a mesh and the tile setter did not bother to cut the mesh apart and make sure the tiles were evenly spaced. Those may have even been expensive tiles. The OP didn't say, but that is something to watch for no matter where you get your tile if using a mosaic or small tile....See MoreBuy Maytag fridge + range from big box or local appliance store?
Comments (66)I don't particularly rely on a store to provide me with repair work except for the immediate delivery of a product. I have Bosch appliances and I would contact an authorized Bosch dealer in my area or KA. Similarly my Apple computers and other devices are serviced by Apple or Apple service people once they are out of warranty - I've bought them from numerous places including mail order back in 1991 when I bought my first Apple Performa :-). @Lizzie - Hi there! My kitchen is finally finished but construction continued around me until fairly recently as odd stuff would happen - my washer dryer was a bit too deep for the closet so that had to be reframed. My hood was the wrong size and so that delayed finishing kitchen for a while because they didn't want to install cabinets on either side until the hood was put in - and didn't want to finish the backsplash etc. etc. etc. I am still not completely finished as they have to come back for various items on the "punch" list but it's livable except for the boxes which are still in the living area as I was a pack rat and I am still slowly going through stuff - and I have furniture I can't use and nobody wants :-( Apologies for hijacking the thread by responding to Lizzie but here are photos of the kitchen and dining area. I am really happy with the way it turned out and spending time (SO MUCH TIME) on houzz asking questions and reading threads helped me so much in terms of getting the best result possible. I worked with a very knowledgable designer but thanks to houzz, there was stuff that I asked for which she had never heard of like my toe kick step stools. It truly is correct that having the luxury of living in a space gives one a better understanding of what doesn't work in the space and what would make it work better because almost everybody has certain constraints that impact the design of the kitchen. In my case, I was working with a small urban kitchen in a high rise - the kitchen is 8' x 10' so I needed to expand functional storage. @Lizzie - here are a few pictures of my finished kitchen. To the left of the cooktop I have a Bosch side opening wall oven with a microwave drawer below it and a VERY shallow tall cabinet with shelves. It is in front of a concrete support beam so it is about one can deep. This is the area behind my dining area. The tall cabinet to the left can be seen in the first photo. There is a door on the side and so the KA mixer and Cuisinart can just be slid out when I need it. The tall cabinet to the right is my broom closet. Excuse the mess on the counter as this was taken just when I moved in. This shows the tall cabinets in my dining area better in terms of the appliance storage and how it relates to the kitchen counters. I had the interiors painted blue but the shelves are clad with blue laminate and the sink cabinet is also clad in blue laminate for easier cleaning. This is the sink wall. The kitchen sink is disproportionately large (36" for the space) but because it's a ledge, it is super functional since the grad which you can see to the right of the sink gives me very functional "counter" space. I can store it on the bottom of the sink and I also got the cutting board. There is a sponge caddy to the extreme left which is a narrow removable shelf which is handy for sponges and other wet stuff. My KA refrigerator is on the right peeking through. It is counter depth but not integrated but I "cheated" the look by having my lower cabinets made slightly deeper than the standard 24"; having a panel on the left side and having the cabinet maker clad the sides that protrude with matching wood. With a counter depth, you need to have it protrude slightly so the hinges are clear of obstructions but since I had those parts clad in matching wood, it fools the eye. Not part of my kitchen ha ha but this is one half of the wall unit in my office/den area. Since I have an open concept space, it relates to the kitchen cabinetry in terms of color as well as having slight Art Deco style elements. This was my sad kitchen prior to the remodel. Again apologies for taking this thread in a direction completely unrelated to the original question....See Moredeeageaux
13 years agowkate640
13 years agowkate640
13 years agoweissman
13 years agowkate640
13 years agonerdyshopper
13 years agoUser
13 years agoplllog
13 years agoideagirl2
13 years agobjtanner2
7 years agolasoul101
5 years agowkate640
5 years agofrank barker
3 years agogail.katz
10 months agowdccruise
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agogail.katz
10 months ago
Related Stories
PRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Great Toys Beyond the Big-Box Stores
Make your little one feel extra special with a game, doll or craft kit not everyone on the block has
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNA Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances
An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more
Full StoryEVENTS5 Big Trends From This Week’s High Point Market
Learn the colors, textures and shapes that are creating a buzz in interior design at the market right now
Full StoryFUN HOUZZDon’t Be a Stickybeak — and Other Home-Related Lingo From Abroad
Need to hire a contractor or buy a certain piece of furniture in the U.K. or Australia? Keep this guide at hand
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN14 Indie Kitchen Designs That Stand Out From the Pack
Bored with white, cream and 50 shades of gray? Break out of the box with a daring kitchen that highlights your own style
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES10 Design Ideas From the Bucket Section of the Hardware Store
These hardworking home essentials will add character galore and keep clutter at bay in modern-rustic style
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNNew This Week: 4 Subtle Design Ideas With Big Impact for Your Kitchen
You’ve got the cabinets, countertops and appliances in order. Now look for something to make your space truly stand out
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESDecorate With Intention: To Buy or Not to Buy
Before you make your next home-decor purchase, ask yourself these 10 questions
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESFrom Queasy Colors to Killer Tables: Your Worst Decorating Mistakes
Houzzers spill the beans about buying blunders, painting problems and DIY disasters
Full StoryKITCHEN STORAGEKnife Shopping and Storage: Advice From a Kitchen Pro
Get your kitchen holiday ready by choosing the right knives and storing them safely and efficiently
Full Story
plllog