Thermador not worth extra $$$

10 years ago

We did a complete remodel of our kitchen. I purchased the higher end appliances within my budget, Jenn Air, Thermador and Electrolux. We had the first Thermador induction cooktop installed a month ago, large center burner did not work. Technician came out and ordered a new PC Board replaced the board a week later, still large center burner didn't work. Week later installers came with a new cooktop, guess what, center burner didn't work. I am currently waiting for yet another one that they promise me was "tested" and works. Needless to say I have taken 4 mornings off from work waiting for servicemen to first diagnose, then fix, then replace, and now replace again.
Dealer is doing their part but I called Thermador directly and spoke to a supervisor in customer service. Her reply after my story was what more do you want you are getting a replacement! What I really wanted was an apology but her attitude was so laissez faire it perturbed me more. This cooktop replaced a GE Profile that lasted 10 years before the remodel with no problems whatsoever. I should of went with the GE this time for half the dollars and no headaches.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

jellytoast
10 years ago
Well, if it's any consolation, the GE Profiles of today are likely nothing like those made 10 years ago. All the "advances" in technology don't seem to make a positive difference in the longevity or quality of appliances. And customer service? Well, that definitely isn't what it used to be. The problem is, we remember how things used to be, and still hold out hope that things like "quality" and "customer service" are not things of a bygone era.
peony4
10 years ago
Lyn, if you are a real consumer who has experienced what you've written here, I'm very sorry to read of your hassles. I hope your replacement works out.

If this story is somehow fabricated, and you joined GW today just to complain about a particular brand, I hope those who find your note in a general Internet search will take it with a grain of salt.

Otherwise, I hope the rest of your kitchen remodel is going well, and perhaps you can share photos soon.
Related Discussions
thermador 36' pro harmony duel fuel worth it?
Q
Comments (1)
You don't need dual fuel to get self-cleaning - there are gas ovens that self-clean - check out DCS and Capital. These days, electric ovens aren't necessarily better for baking than gas convection ovens.
...See More
S/O: why aren't extras/upgrades/enhancements worth extra to buyers?
Q
Comments (28)
This is a new era of buying and selling after the real estate "bubble". Two years ago we sold a condo in Florida and a custom mountain lake home in Tennessee. Both buyers were obtaining mortgages, one being a jumbo mortgage. The Florida condo was appraised slightly below selling price. It was completely remodeled by us (new kitchen and two baths, etc.). The inspector told the young lady she would never find a condo in better condition. All new appliances, new water heater, new air conditioner. We owned it for two years, but decided even as snow birds we would rather have a house. But her Daddy told her not to pay over appraisal. The comps were condos in the same development that had never been upgraded or maintained. Many had been rented out. We sold it to someone else for our asking price. They didn't obtain a mortgage. The home in Tennessee was not on the market. A realtor showing another home in the neighborhood asked if they could see our house. They came back with an offer the next day, which was not the greatest offer We decided to accept the offer and move to the Florida house we had purchased two months before. It gets confusing, I know. :) The inspector was ruthless, but came back with nothing wrong in our new custom built home. The pest inspector came back with nothing (yup the bank required it). The appraiser on the other hand was a bit rude. When I said I wasn't too concerned about the appraisal price since the sell price was below tax appraisal value, he said, Oh, we often appraise homes below the tax app. value now. He told us our home was beautiful, but every home in the neighborhood probably had the same upgrades. No they did not. In the end they said there were really no comps, which wasn't true. But the most chilling experience I had was that the two appraisers used exactly the same words in two different states. It is beautiful, but this doesn't count. This is overkill, it doesn't count. Only the comps matter. Only square footage matters. I have bought and sold quite a few homes in my life. In a brand new builder developed area you get the basic house for the price of the model. Upgrades are paid for as an extra expense. Years ago we had no inspectors and no formal appraisals. It seems the banks do not want to pay for the upgrades, and are driving the prices. Now it has eroded into buyers with cash that look at comps and again do not want to pay for the upgrades. Even 11 years ago I sold a home in Ft. Lauderdale by myself (height of the market) and the buyer had an inspector, obtained a mortgage, but no appraiser came to my house. I sold my "model" for a higher price than anyone had ever sold for. Does anyone think that perhaps the banks are running the market??? Money makes the world go 'round.
...See More
I can get new Thermador POD301J at outlet sale, worth it?
Q
Comments (4)
In Boston Area. Try City Sales has 4 left - just spoke with Ipswich location today. I'm getting mine through Yale Appliance - like the fact that they service everything they sell. Glad to hear that you like their previous oven. Probably more oven than I need, but want a good reliable oven without WiFi. This and the Fisher Paykel are two I was considering....along with two Bosch. But Thermador just seems so well built.
...See More
Is it worth an extra $4k to get 2.6 cu more space. FP vs Thermador
Q
Comments (0)
I have made decisions on all my appliances except the panel ready fridge I am now considering. Fisher Paykel RS36A72J1N FRENCH DOOR 36 Inch Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator with 16.8 cu. ft. I am perfectly happy with the exterior look of the Fisher Paykel but wondering if 2.6 cu space is considered a lot of space. I have to pay $4,000 more for the 19.4 Thermador. I currently have 20 cu cabinet depth column fridge. I will have an extra fridge in the garage. I don't have a concept of what 2.6 cu space is. Does French door give you better organization? If you have this fridge please tell me what you like or do not like about it. Pickings are really slim with the shortage on appliances. The upside is the owner of supply company where I am purchasing appliances uses FP in her kitchen and also has technicians to work on the appliances. Details Fisher Paykel RS36A72J1N 36 Inch Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator with 16.8 cu. ft. Total Capacity, 3 Glass Shelves, 5.1 cu. ft. Freezer Capacity, Crisper Drawer, Adaptive Defrost, Ice Maker, ActiveSmart Foodcare, Adjustable Shelves, Door Alarm, Ice Maker, Clever Energy, Easy cleaning, Simple Storage, Star-K Certified in Panel Ready https://www.appliancesconnection.com/fisher-paykel-rs36a72j1n.html?ref=GoogleShoppingPhysicalStock&gclid=CjwKCAiAsaOBBhA4EiwAo0_AnGG0xKq6dFjpul5ZpZtDSNHB1sI7eS9HiLjPN-JvnL1Ds-lLoDvRbRoCiX8QAvD_BwE
...See More
califkitchen
10 years ago
Thermador is owned by Bosch.

I have posted here before that we have had nothing but issues with a Bosch washing machine we purchased two years ago. The washing machine still only works intermittently after NINE service visits by Bosch. And, while that is irritating, the complete lack of helpfulness of their customer service has been the real kicker. I really hope that you have better luck with BSH (the parent company of Bosch and Thermador) than we have had.

We are replacing the Bosch washing machine on our own dime and calling it a very expensive lesson. I will NEVER own so much as a pencil sharpener with the Bosch, Thermador or any other BSH owned company name on it.

I post this here in hopes that I can save some others the money, time off work, and heartaches we have been through. I would strongly, strongly recommend that you stay away from appliances made by any brand owned by BSH. If you need service you will be dealing with the worst costumer service known to man.
springroz
10 years ago
I bought an entire kitchen full of Thermador appliance almost 2 years ago, and LOVE them!! I bought them in Houston, TX, hauled them 1000, they sat for 3-4 months during the piddly remodel stuff, and the DH installed them.

I have a private service company in a small town here who can do service, and the one time he came out for the icemaker, I was not even here, and it got fixed.

I could NOT be more pleased with my appliances!

Just a little counterpoint......

Nancy
function_first
10 years ago
I have no idea whether Thermador is a decent brand or not. I do know that even the best appliances/cars/gadgets have a certain percentage of duds. Clearly Thermador is standing behind their product in addressing the repairs. You might feel it would be better to not be one of the people that ends up with a dud, to that I say, don't we all? Sooner or later it happens to us all. Lucky you that your "turn" was with a product that the company stands so firmly behind. Your post actually makes me think MORE of Thermador, not less.
nosoccermom
10 years ago
Well, Bosch (German) and Thermador (US) have a similar relationship as Mercedes and Chrysler had, so wouldn't lump them completely together.

Also, unfortunately, it's quite well-known that in general, the high end brands, like Viking, Thermador, Dacor are not as reliable as some of the less expensive brands; think Jaguar, not particularly known for reliability, either).
nosoccermom
10 years ago
Actually, there's a lemon law for appliances as well. If after 4 repair efforts your appliance breaks or i snot fixed, you can get a new one.

Here is a link that might be useful: appliance Lemon Law

Thermador not worth extra $$$

Comments (7)

jellytoast

peony4

Related Discussions

califkitchen

springroz

function_first

nosoccermom

nosoccermom

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US