I'm sorry this has been such an over-the-map experience for you.

How do you feel about taking delivery on the Aga and trying to resell it?

I'm sorry you've been through such stress!

I would not take a chance on trying to get the $4K back from Domain. You have to look at that money as a sunk cost -- so the question is would you rather spend $3K on an Aga (that's worth over $7K) or on a stove that's really worth $3K? I've seen your posts on the Aga before and it's really your passion. I'm afraid you would be disappointed with whatever stove you'd get for $3K, especially if you ended up losing the $4K you already spent on the Aga. It would grate on you every time you walked into the kitchen.

The chances that your Aga will be defective are pretty low, and you would have the fallback of Aga North America. It's definitely less risky than losing your $4K for sure. Plus, many retailers have gone into Chapter 11 and later emerged. Are you positive Domain is completely going out of business?

Another idea would be to call AGA North America now and ask them what they think of the situation (don't tell them you were already having 2nd thoughts -- just focus on the Domain situation and the "lemon" risk). Losing their only American retail outlet is a blow to their business so they must be coming up with contingency plans. If nothing else, you could get their reassurance that they will help you with any warranty problems (& then get the name & number of the person who told you that!). They have an incentive to make it "safe" for you -- and any other Aga purchasers -- to take delivery.

The only rational reason to cancel the sale would be if the cost of re-arranging the cabinets far exceeds the $4K you would lose. And if you do decide to cancel the sale, I would try to see if you can get out of the remaining payments (since you used deferred billing) -- based on the rationale that you do not feel comfortable taking delivery when they are going out of business and will not be available to help with servicing. Given the state of their business, they will obviously be getting many customer service complaints and (who knows?) they might be more lenient than usual -- it can't hurt to ask.

Finally, my sister has a bright red Aga (not sure if it's the 6-4 model but it is huge -- I think she may have paid even more than $7K for it). It is the centerpiece of her kitchen and she loves it. Never had a problem or complaint. I have to imagine that if you felt comfortable ordering a $7K stove in the first place, it's not going to threaten your long-term financial stability, even if it does push your remodel over budget. So, as has been said so many times, I would stick with your initial dream and take the Aga -- even if it has to sit in the middle of your garage, basement, or living room for a few months until you're ready for it!

If it makes you feel any better, I looooooooooooove my new Aga. It's only a 36" Legacy, but so far, it's everything I hoped for and more. If you are really concerned about the 6-4 being too much stove, perhaps you could talk to another area retailer to see if they will arrange a deal with you to exchange it for a smaller model (did I mention I loooooove my new Aga Legacy?). You'd probably have to take somewhat of a hit on it, but maybe not the whole $7K. My Aga came pretty thoroughly wrapped in styrofoam and plastic on a pallet. If you left it in that condition, it would be no different than them getting it from the distributor themselves. I don't know what, if anything, it would mean for the warranty. It might be worth asking about.

could you possibly cancel the entire aga order and get your money back fully? Maybe the fact that the company is going out of business would somehow void your original sale? I'm thinking resale would be hard after the fact, unless there is a market for it, maybe there is. I'd be very scared to spend that much money for something that didn't even have a warranty, so I don't think you'd have buyers flocking to you.

In any case, even if you are "only" out $4000 you still have to buy a new appliance, so in the end you're still out the same amount of money. But regardless of that, it sounds like the Aga is weighing you down and preventing you from enjoying your kitchen, PLUS putting you in the position of having to do further remodel which it doesn't sound like you're too enthusiastic about. Every time you look at the Aga you're going to realize that the Aga was in charge of the kitchen and the Aga was responsible for everything that happened there. Not really a good feeling.

If you don't want it, can you sell it and have it delivered to the new owner instead of to you? If most people have to wait a long time to get one you might even be able to get full price. In fact, you could call around to interior designers and see if they have a client who wants one yesterday.

Marthavila - sorry about the angst. I've had my Aga (not a 6-4) since before Domain started selling them as you know and get it serviced through an authorized distributor/servicer in in PA ( I live in North Jersey). There are other distributors and retailers for the AGA in the US other than Domain and several warranty servicers. My guy is one and I can tell you he is fabulous, very responsive and will deal with AGA for you on warranty issues should any arise. I know this is an emotional (and likely irrational) purchase for you and am not trying to talk you into buying the stove. Just want you to know that if you do buy it, service won't be an issue.

A Chapter 11 bankruptcy is not generally a liquidation, although it can be used that way. It is intended to allow businesses to restructure. That $4K you paid is an unsecured debt and not likely to get paid -- at least not as averages would go. I obviously know nothing about this case or their finances, creditors or chances of restructuring. Trying to get them to find another customer who would take that one instead of waiting on a different one could be done, but there are legal issues involved and I would want you to have an attorney help you so you didn't lose the $4K.

I think you need to decide whether this is something you really want and will be worth the hassle after it is all done or really something you wish you hadn't gotten into - period. If you really want it and it isn't putting you at risk financially, then what better time in your life to enjoy what you really want? If if isn't something you really want and it won't give you a thrill to have and enjoy, then much better to decide that now and not rework the cabinets and the utilities to put it in. If the money issue is too geat, don't keep going in that direction because you have to and then put yourself under water.

Strictly analyze the best way to cut your losses -- abandon the order and probably lose all or most of the $4K, take the order and resell it -- maybe another buyer will jump at the chance to not have to wait for one and to save $1K. You cut your losses to 1/4. You can also ask the dealer if they can offer any other options.

However you go, it will be worth it to make it what you want and can best live with. Good luck.

Oh, how distressing!

Couple of issues:

1. Maintenance: AGA is also sold by many other dealers, including Expo Design Center (which is a Home Depot company), so service should be available.

2. Do others like it: My good friends put an Aga 44" legacy into their beach house and they LOVE it. They RAVE about it. They love it so much they're getting an Aga Always On for their next remodel. I seriously considered the legacy in a 36" (was concerned about odd European sizes) until I realized that with a young family, I really needed at least one large oven.

3. Do you have to take possession? NO. Until you take possession, that stove belongs to Domain. If you don't want it, refuse to take possession and demand a full refund of your deposit. The most they can charge you is a restocking fee, but it most certainly should not be the full amount of your deposit (which is more than 50% of the price). If they try to charge you the full down payment, dispute it with the credit card company. Although you received the card through Domain, all store credit cards are issued by various banks -- in our area, two banks seem to dominate the store credit market: Citi and Wells Fargo. You have a lot of protections available to you because you did not pay cash. Phew. Lucky you!

If you don't want the oven, call the credit card company right away and dispute the charge -- explain that the company is going out of business, you have not taken possession and you have canceled the order due to their bankruptcy and inability to provide the warranty service that was part of the purchase. Since you have not taken possession, the 30-60 day dispute period should not be applicable -- but you should call RIGHT AWAY just in case.

I do remember your posts, marthavila, and those, coupled with the one above only serves to let us know how much you love and crave this Aga. That makes you so lucky! Everyone should have a lust-worthy object in the room where they spend so much time.

I know you are having second thoughts (which makes you human) but I think you'll have nothing but second (and third and fourth ...) thoughts if you don't get the Aga. Not because of the "lost" $4K, but because of that sparkle the Aga inspires in you. Absolutely, you could get a perfectly serviceable range but you would never walk into your kitchen, breathe deeply, pause and smile. That is worth so much!

I totally understand your concern about having a dud but as others have already noted, for service issues you'll be dealing with your local service dealer. You'll be okay.

I mean, you'll be okay if you get the Aga. I seriously believe each time you enter your kitchen you'll feel a pang of sadness if you don't get it.

It's hard spending lots of money for one item -- I totally get it! (and the lovely people here on GW just talked me through my particular outrageous expense) But I think deep down in your heart of hearts this Aga is already yours. I for one can't wait to see pictures of it in your kitchen!

Right there with ya. I cried off and on for a whole day last week thinking I made a huge mistake in cabinet finish and already-purchased appliances. I'm still waiting for drywall, so I won't know for sure how it looks for a couple more weeks. Fingers crossed, and the right color paint makes a HUGE difference!

Have you actually paid them the 4K or have you just put it on THEIR credit card without actually making any payments? If the latter is the case, and you really don't want the range, then I would "cancel" the sale or refuse delivery and not pay them the 4K. If they're really going out of business, they'd have a hard time collecting any money from you.

If you've already paid the 4K or don't want to risk them coming after you, then take delivery of the range and enjoy it or turn around and sell it.

Martha, I too have been following your Aga adventure. You're going to LOVE your Aga...like any expensive acquisition, one does tend to have buyer's remorse...I just had a face lift and I'm having buyer's remorse...but that's totally OT... anyway...the manufacturer will probably have alternative local service companies for you to use in the rare event you might have a problem.

Your kitchen will be gorgeous!

So sorry for your dilemma. I would see if you could cancel the purchase and get a refund - perhaps your invoice or receipt discusses returns?
OIf you can't return it, I think you could look into re-selling it. That way, you could put the money you make from selling it into purchasing a "new to you" re-conditioned old range - perhaps even the same make and model as your beloved but now defunct range. I know that in my many internet searches for x, y and z kitchen stuff I have come across websites that sell just such re-conditioned ranges. Then, you'd get the extra bonus of having what you want without having to destroy cabinets and move the gas line, etc. Just a thought - hope it all works out for you. If I find some of those refurbished vintage range websites I'll post for you here.
kpk

Go with your original instinct...
take delivery, if you really do want to change
your plans you would probably be able to sell it easily.

I think sometimes we start out with a definite feel for a kitchen and
then after researching and spending so much time looking at all the
options we can lose sight of our original dream.

Best of luck with your decisions!

I missed the part about the Domain credit card/delayed payment. If that is truly Domain, you may not have to take delivery or pay the $4K. But, chances are, the Domain credit card is run by another institution under the Domain name. That gets more complicated. You need to look carefully at your sales agreement and the finiance contract. You may want to consult an attorney if you think you want to cancel or sell the range to help you decide which way to go.

For those of you saying just demand a refund, it isn't that easy when an entity goes into bankruptcy. They don't owe and can't pay the same as they did before the bankrupty

Ok, dear - here's what you do. Flip a coin: heads you take delivery, tails you ask for your $$ back and get something else. Whichever way it comes up will tell you what you want to do: if you feel relieved, you'll know it's the right answer. If you want to flip the coin again (and are thinking - ok, 2 out of 3) - you'll know the opposite side of the coin is the right answer. Trust me, this is a foolproof way to make a decision - the coin flip never lies. Neither does your gut.
hugs,

Thanks so much my GW TKO family for all your advice and support!

To those of you who get that the Aga is really my heart, I gotta say -- you have it right! Ever since I realized I would have to retire my antique range, only the Aga 6-4 has been able to give me joy in thinking of replacement. I truly love that range and I love all the plans I've had for it to be the focal point in my "dream" kitchen. I've even got some justification for the 6 burners because my antique range had that same number. As for the 4 ovens, well, I've been telling myself that the 6-4's ovens are also relatively small. As such, they will help a small meal cook like me to "economize" on fuel usage (similar to how folk who have F&P dish drawers may use only one when doing small loads of dishes). LOL!

Those of you who suggest that if I decide to decline delivery, I might be able to dispute charges, may also be right. All I can say for now is that I have not yet paid the 4k on my Domain card as this was a deferred charge but it is due by the end of this month. However, Domain claims that I have already been charged and if I don't pay up now, it will go on my credit history as a default. In other words, dispute of the charge is not an option. Without a doubt, I need to study my purchase contract and get some legal advice!

Thanks also to those who have suggested taking possession and attempting resale. That strategy hadn't occurred to me at all.

No matter what, I do know that I need to tread more carefully now than before. Sometimes these major kinks in our grand schemes can be God's way of saying, "slow down, take stock and be sure of your moves." Sometimes it's nothing more than plain old nervousness and second guessing as we approach the finality of our decisions.

I'm going to at least slow down and do some serious research on my options. I'll give Aga North America a call on Monday. And Madcow, would you please give me the name of your Aga service representative? Whatever I do, I promise to report back as to what to I've finally decided. And, in the meantime, if you have any more opinions and advice to share, please do so! After having posted earlier today and then leaving home, what a gift it was to come back and find all your messages and encouragements tonight. GW TKOS are simply the best!

Oh, marthaville! That's terrible. Can you find out how the service and warranty is going to work? I think you should contact AGA like a previous poster mentioned. Know exactly where you stand with this company. It may not be that bad, many companies come out of bankruptcy and still are in business.

As far as having second thoughts on the 6-4, $7k is a lot of money so I would think you would have second thoughts and would even expect that. Especially since you've had so much time to think with the long lead time. Unless that money really breaks the bank, those thoughts should reduce once you finally get the 6-4. Also remember this is not just a range replacement. It's a replacement for your gorgeous smooth top! I think anything less than spectacular will make you miss your smooth top even more.

Martha,
I followed the threads of the demise of your amazing old girl (stove), your ordering of the seductive scarlet Aga, and then the resulting decision to reconfigure your whole kitchen to meet her needs! I have watched it all with keen interest because 1) you have a love of old stoves 2) live in a historic home and 3) chose a really great new stove- all really interesting and great in my opinion, and 4) you also seem like a really cool person with lots of passion and enthusiasm!

In thinking about what to say to maybe advise you, or to just lend support, I realize that I have a lot of questions that I feel are necessary to really assess your situation.

1) If you cancel the Aga will you forgo the change in your kitchen layout and thereby save that money? The $3000 that you would save would probably just be spent on the new oven with no guarantee that you would get the $4000 back so if it is only about the $3000 I would stick with the Aga- a really great stove with a great reputation!

2) If you get the Aga and do reconfigure the kitchen can you afford it? We spent way over on our kitchen, and will be paying for it for the next 10 years. I don't regret it because we are really really really enjoying the new kitchen and we can afford it, though it will require for us to be more careful in our spending. We have no way of really knowing your situation, and probably really don't have any business knowing it, but it does factor into what would be the best decision for you.

3) Can you cut back in other areas to offset the Aga cost? It is really expensive, but you are already in for $4000 and it is a really great stove. You won't really save all that much if it is just about saving whatever the portion is left over of the $3000 after you purchase another stove.

Whatever your choice I can't wait to finally see your kitchen!

Marthavila, I was sort of ok with you ditching the Aga until you reminded me that it was that RED. Oooohhh I'd have a hard time walking away from that. I have the black one and I love it. But the red KILLS me everytime I see one.

And the little ovens are nice. And you don't have to cook on every burner to appreciate the extra room it gives you to have a few little pots on at the same time.

When I almost didn't get my Aga, my cousin, who was with me every step of the journey, made a CD for me, called "The Saga of the Aga", that had love songs and good bye songs and weep-in-your-soup songs. (It made me laugh, and then I got the Aga anyway.)

One final note on service: There used to be a wonderful Brit named Gary who was on the other end of the tech support number. He was fabulous (may still be there, haven't had a reason to call) and very responsive.

I vote for taking it and sell on Craigslist or somewhere if you don't like it. (ha ha ha)

Just a word of caution -- I'm not telling you to reject the Aga, that's a decision only you can make, BUT take whatever Domain tells you with a very large grain of salt. They are going into bankruptcy. They need as much $$$ and as little inventory as they can manage. They have a vested interest in scaring you into taking possession.

You usually can dispute a credit charge for an item you have not yet received. If they try to deliver it, you can REJECT and REFUSE delivery. You CAN get your credit cleared if they try to mess with it (they're going to be awfully busy btw). A simple letter to the credit agencies in such circumstances will often do the trick.

Be very certain who the lender is. I seriously doubt that it is Domain and not a bank.

Decodilly, Mom2lilenj: Yes, money is always an issue, but the cost of the 6-4, even with reconfiguration, is not a dealbreaker this time. I remember there being a point in my life when I would have thought it totally absurd that someone would spend 7k+ or more on a range. But, I'm now in my midlife and I have NEVER ever had a kitchen of my own design and dreams. If not now, when? Although it boggles my own mind that I've become a TKO -- yes, I can afford some kitchen bling. . . within reason. :)

Claybabe: Thanks a million for the encouragement! (I've been looking for you and even sent you an email offline). To hear from a happy Aga 6-4 owner means a whole lot!

Raynag: What's up with the coin toss thing? Have you been to the movies lately? Been influenced by "No Country for Old Men?" That's the movie I went to see tonight. So funny to come back and have you suggest a coin toss to settle this issue! LOL!

Then by all means take possession, what other range could replace your beloved smoothtop! Just try and find out as much as you can about the warrenty from Aga North America. Also make sure the 6-4 is available to ship. Don't want them to take the $4k and not deliver.

If "the cost of the 6-4, even with reconfiguration, is not a dealbreaker this time" and you "truly love that range and I love all the plans I've had for it to be the focal point in my "dream" kitchen," then by all means take delivery!!!

If you have to live with it in your living room for months while you get the rest of the kitchen ready, well, it'll probably make a great looking TV stand :)

Yes, you might need some different ways of thinking and new pans for the ovens but so what? Think how thrilled you'll be every time you open one of those red doors :) Yeah, call around and make sure your warranty is covered and all that other stuff, but it's just a stove :) A gorgeous stove. Any good appliance guy with the technical manual should be able to service it even if you can't find someone already signed on with Aga. The trick then is to get recommendations and start up a relationship before you actually need it.

marthavila, I know a little something about having lost the kitchen of your dreams. I know about being over budget. I can promise you a few things to be very true.

Bankruptcy is not a solution for you. Don't even go there unless this is the real crux of the problem. If it does look like you're going to file bankruptcy, then get the Aga and know that the Aga will be the only thing that will put a smile on your face for quite awhile. :]

As for a Chapter 11 for Domain means that they WANT to be in business and WILL STAY IN BUSINESS to be there another day to fix your range should you need it; whether you file or not. A chapter 11 filing usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep a business alive and help them make a legal plan to pay creditors over time.

I know what it's like to make compromises in your kitchen after appliances are ordered. I know what it's like to be grossly unhappy with modifications to a design. I know what it's like to be so hugely sick at your kitchen because it's cost you over twice as much as it should have AND you still hate it. I know what it's like to have a project come to such a standstill and have your range sit in your garage for almost TWO years before you could use it. I know... I know... I know...

Marthavila, you don't want to know the other things I do know. It will make you sick with disgust, despair, and depressed.

If you know for a fact that you would sincerely love the Aga, then please, for the deepest parts of your psyche, do not continue this path of depriving yourself. Get the range. I cannot imagine being a single boomer and having to compromise on this dream. I would take a second job to have one dream succeed. I mean it. I would. I would fight to not let one thing take another minute's joy from my mind, will, or emotions. Don't let this make you sick with worry about worth or do you deserve it. You do and it is worth it.

I strongly suspect that if you lose the very element that you wanted the most for your kitchen, you will hate anything else that you do in your kitchen. There is no way that $3K will buy what you really want. You may be over budget a bit right now, but if you bail on the Aga, you will never, ever be satisfied with your compromise.

Professionally, you should be looking at the Aga as an investment, not a range. It will enhance the overall value of your home and kitchen hugely. It is not an oddity, it's a masterpiece. It is what will set your kitchen apart from all of the others in your town. It will be the single most important element and selling feature of your home, should you decide to sell one day. You can even throw in your 'pans' to seal the deal.

Marthavila, don't feel sick to your stomach every time you walk into your kitchen. I wouldn't wish the feeling I have when I look at my kitchen improvisation on a single soul. I have felt hateful emotions toward the shyster we got involved in dealing with my kitchen. It has aged me terribly. I don't know what's worse: hating the kitchen or feeling disgusted. Both feelings put a nasty look on my face I hear.

Sherilyn I felt like crying when I read your post. Blessings to you, your pain and disappointment were so evident in your words. Forgiveness isn't just for the guilty (who rarely deserve it)it is also for you. If you can find it in your heart to forgive the "shyster" who decimated your dreams it will help restore your peace and the "nasty look" will fade. My husband was fired from a job when we were newlyweds. He worked so honestly and hard for this man - it was a shock and a heartbreak. We had just bought our first little house and we were so happy but we had to face some financial uncertainty. I was so angry at this man for such a long time. Everytime I saw him in our little town, my blood would boil with indignation at how he treated my wonderful husband. Then I realized that it didn't hurt him at all if my blood pressure went up 50 points when I ran into him. I had to let it go. I chose to forgive him, not because he asked or he deserved it but because I needed the peace. It made such a huge difference in my happiness and frame of mind. I actually began to feel sorry for him because he lost a lot of his business due to the way he treated his employees.
Sorry to ramble, just really feel your heartsickness and would love for you to be able to smile when you go in your kitchen. Valarie

Do it! You won't regret it! And I emailed you back last night (long and rambling, but I think I answered everything!).

Martha,

Raynag is right - flip a coin and you will have your answer. I haven't seen the movie you mentioned but I have used the coin flip trick and it works.

I have NO DOUBT what the outcome of your coin flip will be. You are going to love your new AGA and never look back.

"If you know for a fact that you would sincerely love the Aga, then please, for the deepest parts of your psyche, do not continue this path of depriving yourself. Get the range.

"There is no way that $3K will buy what you really want. You may be over budget a bit right now, but if you bail on the Aga, you will never, ever be satisfied with your compromise.

"It will enhance the overall value of your home and kitchen hugely. It is not an oddity, it's a masterpiece. It is what will set your kitchen apart from all of the others in your town. It will be the single most important element and selling feature of your home, should you decide to sell one day."

Some very wise words from Sherilynn --
If the Aga calls to you and makes your heart sing, than anything else will be just that -- something else, something less. The centerpiece of your kitchen will be 'the one that got away' and your joy will always be limited by that haunting feeling. If you can afford it, this particular purchase will bring you joy daily, and what better investment is there?

Guys, it's ONLY a stove. I feel like I'm the only one dissenting on this but usually when you have major cold feet like what Martha is talking about in her first post, there's a good reason why.

I know it's hard to read every day how people have these lovely things - soapstones, granites, aga's, etc etc etc and we all want the very best thing - and even when money is no object it's sometimes the BEST thing to really follow what your soul is telling you - your heart can lie because we've all been seduced by the lovely things we see here, and there's no shame wanting them when we really want them - but what is your soul telling you about getting that stove.

I read martha's post and I don't see love for the Aga specifically. I see love for the idea of the Aga and what it means for her kitchen.

Yes, there is a reason -- but we don't know what it is and can't make the decision. That doesn't mean that getting the range is wrong -- or right. Martha's got to sort that out herself.

Is it the money for the range?

The money for the changes to support it? If the money is too much of a stretch then, maybe it is a coming to senses.

Dreading having to go through the process (who hasn't been through that)? Necessary, but who wants to do it?

Is it a vague feeling that you're not supposed to spend this kind of money on something for yourself and there's no one else at home to justify it for? A lot of us have been raised to be generous with others and frugal about what we need. The rationalizing small ovens makes me think there may be a seearch for a justification -- a need, rather than affordability.

I wouldn't have the things I do in my kitchen if my husband hadn't been in the process -- I would have said it wasn't necessary and done with a lot less. We could have spent half to 2/3 the money -- but everything would have been window dressing and we wouldn't have been as happy with the end result. Changing the cabinets and the layout gave us a totally different kitchen to work in -- easier to work and to clean. But the difference wasn't a question of whether we could put food on the table, handle a bill suprise or even retire as planed. I've just been saving since I was a kid and it's hard to splurge sometimes. I'm much better at rationalizing making do than needing something.

Chances are that all of these factors and more are playing into the situation. Martha, I just hope you can sort them out and make the decision that will be best for you. If it's having a red Aga, I'll be thrilled for you, and if it's having something more standard, I will be delighted that you are comfortable and sleeping well at night and hoping you make the best of it financially. I'm sorry you are having the dealer's problems mixed into everything else. Try not to let that color your decision. That is their problem -- focus on what is right for you.

Is it a vague feeling that you're not supposed to spend this kind of money on something for yourself. . . .? A lot of us have been raised to be generous with others and frugal about what we need.

Wow. This has been such a really been a very thoughtful, provocative thread!

I think we all know that being a TKO is a pretty nutty proposition. But to be TKO and living single is not just nutty. It's plain scary at all times! With no one at home to really sort out these tough decisions close at hand (and no TKOs among my family and friends no matter where they live) you guys really are the ones I look to for advice and support, especially when I have a big problem. So, from those of you who have at come at this from a business/legal perspective to those of you have tested the pyschological/emotional decisions underlying all this, I gotta say once again -- thank you! Each and every opinion that has been registered here --even if I haven't specifically referenced it in my responses-- is worth something to me.

So, let me be crystal clear that I love and want this Aga 6-4. But Lascatx is right-- although I've finally arrived at a place in my life where I can actually make such a purchase, it still feels strange to me. Even if my mom was not suffering with moderate dementia right now, I most certainly would not have consulted with her on the wisdom of this decision. I would not dare to risk the scolding from her (a depression-era survivor) for being extravagant and wasteful in the design of my kitchen. In fact, I can even hear her saying: "Why do you even need a new kitchen? That 40 year old kitchen you inherited and which you have been living with for the past 20 years was just fine the way it was!) LOL!
Still, whether it is extravagant and wasteful or not, I confess that I want it. Plus, now at midlife, I finally have the means to make it happen.

In all likelihood, I am going to go ahead and buy this Aga 6-4. I got a tremendous boost of encouragement from Claybabe, when she wrote me offline to tell me how much she enjoys her own 6-4. Madcow, even though you own the incomparable Aga traditional cooker, I am also encouraged by your unswerving devotion to the product. And, Holligator, your post about your new Legacy just made me smile even more. In trying to gauge customer satisfaction, against the occasional backdrop of negative comments from Aga bashers, there is nothing like hearing the product praises of people who actually own and use Agas.

At this point, the key for me will be studying the terms of the warranty and whether I can find a trustworthy and competent local service person who is truly knowledgeable about the product in the next week or so. When I phone Aga North America on Monday morning to discuss my situation, seeing how the customer service rep handles that call also be critically important I must say, if I get even a hint that they aren't prepared to be fully responsive and attentive to my potential customer concerns, then I very well may drop the whole matter, deny possession, refuse to make the down payment by the end of the month and dispute the sale altogether. I sure hope that doesn't happen! Again, I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

Go Giants! (Sorry, Pats fans, I just couldn't help that last one):)

MV, my friend - I have not seen that movie - and I came up with the coin toss thing about 40 years ago; my kids grew up with it and it never failed them. Or me.

So happy that you decided to go with your gut; it is very bad for artists to think too much - they get into big trouble - LOL. As long as the $7k is not an issue, take that big red AGA to your heart and love it to death. The rest of the kitchen WILL fall into place.
xo

Martha, more than 30 years ago as I was about to graduate from college, I was torn between two job offers for my first professional job. A professor told me to flip a coin - the same trick raynag suggests. It was surprising that it worked especially for a very analytical person but it did. The coin toss moves you from dithering between two choices that you have analyzed to death to looking at it as a decision that is already made. If you feel good about the decision then you can go ahead with it. If you look at the coin and have a sinking feeling, you go with the other choice.

I wouldn't recommend doing it before analyzing and understanding the choices as well as you can, but it can clarify things once you are to the point where your mind is just running in circles. I haven't had to use it very often but when I needed it, it worked.

I think the Aga like my Bluestar is basically a gas stove - not that much that can go wrong with it - occasionally an igniter problem requires replacement of a module. It isn't like it has fancy electronics. Just about any competent gas repair person should be able to handle it. I would be more concerned about the unknown costs to fit it into your kitchen rather than service issues.

As far as getting the charge for the deposit reversed, don't count on it. When a company goes into Chapter 11, it is responsible to its creditors for getting any money it is owed so it can pay them. Whoever the court puts in place to supervise is likely to ensure that happens. So they don't have the flexibility to do something for good will that they would have had when running their own business. For example, before United was in bankruptcy, they would usually waive flight change fees to me because I was a frequent flyer but in bankruptcy they were much more restricted.

I love my Aga 6-4. But I will warn you about service. There is no shortage of repair service providers but getting parts from Aga is a nightmare. A power surge shorted out the clock on my 6-4 and it took 4 months to get the replacement part. Without the clock the convection oven won't turn on so this is more of an issue than it might sound like. My service company said the parts problem started after a merger with another company so maybe it will get straightened out eventually.

Leni

Leni, can I ask where you are located? And when was it that you purchased your 6-4 and how long ago you had the problem with the clock?

I am in NYC. I've spent the past two days on the phone with Aga-Heartland, North America (in Canada) and Felix Storch/Summit Appliances (a major distributor and servicer of Aga products in NYC and the Northeast). I have received nothing but firm, repeated assurances that my 6-4 will be properly serviced should a problem arise. When pressed, the Aga-Heartland rep also insisted they would replace the unit if they find it has a problem that can't be fixed. To the extent I was worried about Aga's response to my concerns, along with that of finding a certified repair firm in my area, those fears have been pretty much allayed. But I guess you have now given me reason to call them back tomorrow to ask about getting parts! :) (Even though I didn't want to hear it, I really do thank you for sharing this.)

Try this: imagine you get a phone call from the distributor saying 'Sorry, warehouse has just burned down. Your stove is destroyed, but we can't refund your deposit because the insurance lapsed.'

How would that make you feel? Relieved? Heartbroken? Thrilled?

Answer that, and you'll have a good idea of what to do.

But remember, big, expensive renovations are always stressful, and a degree of second guessing is inevitable. Try and remind yourself why you chose this range in the first place, and don't allow yourself to question whether a single person deserves a top end range [says the single guy just finishing a 5500 ft. house...].