LOTS of appliances and LOTS AND LOTS of people. Kind of a crowded madhouse. Be especially early to get the best selection, and park at the far end of the Fred Meyer parking lot, so you're across from Albert Lee's big doors. (Going through the FM parking lot is easier than following any Google or Yahoo directions to find the warehouse itself.) When we went a couple years ago, there were a few really great finds (like Miele ovens that had already been snapped up by the time I got there), and then lots of the more average items, like laundry equipment and fridges. Might be a little tough with babies, especially if dh isn't along.

I was hoping you'd have some knowledge of it rhome! That's what I was afraid of---big zoo. I've been to plant sales like that where everyone is grabbing at the same thing and the same time in a mad rush.

Their website said the line forms by 6a.m. That's too early for us to get there. DH is supposedly doing more demo at the house, including ripping out the old kitchen cabs tomorrow morning. But Miele ovens!!! Hmmmmm. Do you remember how much of a discount the appliances in general ended up being? Miele specifically? If the discount is enough on some really good ovens, it might be worth trying to go.

And thanks for the parking tips. I've never been there so was planning on Googling it!

Oh...Hmmm. I can't remember the price, but I think it was impressive on such things. But there is no guarantee of Miele ovens...You can't be sure til you get there and it depends on what display models they have available right now, etc. I keep wondering who bought up all of Crossroads Appliance appliances, since they had a store-full, as well as a clearance warehouse. Most of those should be available for a good price somewhere...Maybe in this sale. But I don't know.

I called my saleswoman from the Southcenter store today, and unfortunately she was off. I knew she'd give me a bit more info than just some sales guy I don't know. She will be at the sale tomorrow so I'm hoping I can find her there to help me if I go. I did talk to some other salesperson who said they'd have a few floor models in Southcenter on sale also, and I could call in the morning to ask about them. He said they would more than likely have some of the higher-end ovens and that the prices would be good. There's no way to know if that would bring those ovens down into my price range, but my subconscious is telling me to go give it a shot. I need a whole kitchen full of appliances and something there is bound to fit the bill, but it'll cost me an early morning, a long drive, and a babysitter to find out.

I wonder, too, about Crossroads' appliances. They can't just be sitting around gathering dust.

I'll let you know if I go.

I would push the woman you know to tell you what's there and hopefully offer to sell to you without fighting the sale. I was prepared when looking for my oven last to have them tell me to go to the sale for a good deal, and I was also prepared to tell them that they could offer me the best appliance for the best price they had without my having to play the fight-the-crowd-at-the-warehouse-game, or they didn't want my business... I don't know if I would've been brave enough to say that, so I'm glad I didn't have to! I hope you don't also. A person seriously looking for a houseful of appliances is different than someone looking for any old washer and dryer in a major madhouse type of sale.

You make me laugh rhome! I don't think I would have the nerve to say something like that either, although I feel like this remodel is quickly pushing me towards actual assertiveness. ;)

I had planned on trying today to get the saleswoman to tell me if anything I was interested in would be at the sale tomorrow, but she wasn't working today. She'll be at the sale tomorrow and not reachable. Oh well. I may call to the Southcenter store tomorrow just to see what they've got there that I could buy over the phone and not have to fight the crowds.

I decided not to go up there. The baby is sick again and not sleeping well. We just moved into the temporary house to make way for the remodel and we're all out of sorts. Plus, I'm exhausted and afraid I'll get sick also. Kaismom replied to this post on the Appliance forum and mentioned that the deals she saw there weren't that fabulous. By the time I figure in gas for the long drive and a babysitter, I don't think it's worth the financial risk of finding nothing or not getting a great deal.

The appliance saga continues..........still thinking I'll forgo the double wall ovens for two UC singles. What did I ever do with my time before this remodel consumed my life? ;)

Ah Breezy, Mike told me you wanted to see cabs so I logged on tonight to see if you were around. I was at Albert Lee today and plan to go back tomorrow to look for a microwave. The other other thing I need.
When the baby is better and you're ready to make the trek, come see my kitchen and Mike's handiwork. Not ready for prime-time but so close.

Yes, I'm back around now that our move into the temporary house is completed and our silly cable company has managed to finally fix the cable at this house that THEY messed up earlier in the year. I missed my computer and GW!

Mike told me a couple of different times that I should really come see your kitchen as all of his painted cabs are up north. He seemed to think you'd be open to showing them off! :) I got his cab estimate, but am still waiting for the painting estimate to see if they are within my range.

Thanks for the offer. Maybe the end of next week or the beginning of the next? DD needs to get over her back-to-back colds.

Are you going to the warehouse sale??

You make me laugh rhome! I don't think I would have the nerve to say something like that either, although I feel like this remodel is quickly pushing me towards actual assertiveness. ;)

Get 3 troubled ovens in a row and face spending more money and ripping into your cabinets AGAIN...and the crankiness gives you more courage. :-) Or at least a perception of it. LOL I hope you don't get to that point!

I think it is advisable not to have gone today, and to call Southcenter and get them to tell you what they have. So sorry your baby is sick again. Believe me, that's a stress I understand! Especially this year x about 6.

I better not have your oven troubles!! And I'm sorry that you did. I'm starting to doubt my idea to go with the E'lux instead of KA. That's another story....

I called A.L. this morning to talk to the guy I spoke with yesterday since my rep was at the warehouse sale and unreachable. He said he had a single Wolf E Series (30", but I still think I only have room for 27"s) for about $3500. Also had the 36" Wolf gas cooktop for about $300 less than what I was quoted, and the DCS 36" cooktop I had picked originally for about $30 less. In the end, I decided I didn't want to buy something just because it was on sale. I've seen others here stuck with an appliance configuration because they bought a good deal before they were absolutely ready.

You know much better than me this year about sick kids. And then sick again, and sick again. Who am I to complain? ;)

You can complain, too...It's the same tired thing in every mom's life. ;-)

You'll have to tell me about your Elux regrets. They don't make a 27", do they?

Wolf should be a pretty good cooktop. What were you planning instead? And how much different than the Wolf price?

I hate complaining, but I just feel more tired and worn out than usual lately.

Elux regrets. A.L. rep wrote me: "You may have seen some issues on the Kitchenaid but it is a better option than the Electrolux product. We had Electrolux live in our event center and had multiple service calls on multiple product. Our live ovens had multiple service calls with their control panel and self clean modes. They are being very innovative, have a great look, and have some nice convenience features but since this product has been out a very limited time, they are having to work out some âÂÂbugsâ in their product. I would definitely recommend extended warranty if you opt for the Electrolux product." I haven't had a chance to speak with her on the phone yet, but now I'm confused again. Yes, they make 27".

I had choosen the DCS cooktop for the dual-stack flames and the position of the largest burner being in the middle. Wolf's largest burner is on the front left. I thought the rear left burner might be difficult to use if I had a large pan in front. But maybe DCS's placement wouldn't be better. My rep said that the Wolf was "best on the market in my opinion with their dual valve burner system." DCS is $1199 and regular Wolf was $1972. I doubt they still have the Wolf showroom model after today as it was $1600.

Burner size and placement is a good thing to consider. Really think and you are right not to jump without making sure what you choose will meet your hopes and requirements.

I'd be curious to know what model year the Elux was she was talking about. But it does give one pause. I still don't believe KA's track record would make me feel any better. Anyone else do a 27"? But I thought you'd decided awhile back to go with 30"? So many more choices. Did you ever check out the Miele Outlet web site? They had some 27" ovens that looked pretty cool.

Waiting is better. Even if I have to pay a few bucks more in the end.

I'm going to call my rep tomorrow and discuss the Elux ovens to which she was referring. I think (hope actually) they have the '09 which we know had problems. I'm leary of the KA now so I'm not sure I want to go back to that, but I don't have mega bucks to throw at ovens with all the other HUGE reno costs. (GC came with final budget figure last week for the whole house. $50K over budget. We don't have that much.)

Still sticking to 27" unless we switch the kitchen location up to the current dining room area. I need to decide soon as we're moved out to the temporary house and DH demoed the cabs yesterday. If we keep the kitchen where it is now, the ovens will have to be UC so I could do the one on the end of the island 30" I guess.

I did see the Miele Outlet site when you mentioned it a while back. I need to check there regularly. I don't remember seeing the 27" there. I did check with Basco, but by the time I called they didn't have much left.

The sale is still on today and should be less of a madhouse. I bought a vent a hood from the special orders desk, and probably saved about $50-75 from Albert Lee's regular price. I can't find it on the web for any cheaper. They had lots of them and other brands but the ones that were really cheap were huge and black or white or just probably not the fastest movers. The one 30" SS one they had on the floor for really cheap probably went in the first 5 minutes, and had lots of dust on it and was "as is", so I don't feel too badly.

I also bought the microwave we need in a box (there was a stack of them), an brand new dishwasher (the reps were there with good deals, I got the new Kitchenaid (KUDS35fx) for $699, and a disposal.

Probably saved about $250 overall (not sure with the dishwasher, but I was shopping more a price point there than a product), which was worth the short drive from my house.

The hot deals are gone, but so are the crowds. Go today if you need to and you'll get prices on special orders that are similar to internet prices, but of course, you have to pay tax and the "free delivery" coupon that you will print from their website before you go will save you the $50 it takes to get curbside delivery....if you want it in the house it's another $50. We've got our kitchen remodelers on site every day so I opted for the free curbside delivery.