I scoured many places online and read many comments here before going to local appliance stores to see and touch things in person (sounds kind of creepy!) to make final choices. I agree with plllog and try to use local stores whenever possible since I think that is your best bet if you have issues in the future (plus you are supporting your neighbors). Our local places all do price matching - they seemed to quote me prices that matched the lowest available, but I did keep my eyes open to see if I saw a better deal.

I researched online and then visited my local appliance store and 2 large chains. To see a live BlueStar I drove about 30 miles to another appliance store where they had one that I could try.

However I bought from my local store because I've dealt with them before, they carry all the appliances that I selected, they readily agreed to hold them for 3 months until we were ready to install and they have a sister store about 10 miles away in an 'urban enterprise zone' so I instead of paying the normal 6.875% New Jersey sales tax I only paid 3.4375% - a considerable savings since I purchased $30,000 of appliances and a king mattress.

I do a lot of research on-line, including wading through the morass of on-line comments ("Only had it a day -- best refrigerator ever!" "One star. Piece of junk. They dropped it on the way into the house." "Sounds like a jet taking off." [same model:] "Really quiet."). :-s I figure that, over the entire set of anecdotes, some truths (or at least potential topics of further research) will emerge. Then I'll visit stores to get my hands on a model as close as possible to what I want, to further winnow the selection.

I've bought all my appliances locally. Never had one shipped from afar; this area is big enough to carry pretty much every line (or be able to order it) and my requirements are not so specific/high-end that I can't find buy I want from at least one dealer here. At this point, I have a couple of dealers on my very short list; I tend to buy the vast majority of my appliances (including for my rental property) from them.

I also tend to buy from independents/small local chains. In my experience, their prices are competitive with -- or better than -- the big-box stores. The sales staff does not also sell home-theater systems or paint, and they generally have been in the business longer so they've absorbed more from experience. Don't get me wrong; one of the most-informed sales people I ever met worked at a Magnolia in a Best Buy. And I've heard 100% BS from indie sales staff. But, in general,...

I bought my appliances from a couple of different local, family run dealers. The dealer that I preferred didn't sell Gaggenau, so I bought what I could from them and went elsewhere for the Gagg. I don't know if I'm right or not, but I think the local reputable family run business is going to give me better after sales service should I need it. I definitely don't feel comfortable buying online from someone half way across the country.

Abt

http://www.abt.com/

Lots and of online research and then purchase from a local independent. They give great service, salesmen gave devoted their careers to selling appliances, great installers. And they back up their work.

I am a price hound, but I am also a localvore kind of guy. Even if it is a big box store, since even there I can find my neighbors at work.

But service is the biggy. The thing I've noticed is that regardless of how much one spends on an appliance, they do break. No brand is bullet proof whether a $1000 range or a $10,000.00 range, sadly. At that point, as they say, who you gonna call?

Joe

Well...I did lots of research to decide which appliances I wanted. I really liked the Miele line. When I realized there were no deals to be had on Miele, I started looking on eBay. I was in no hurry as I started a year early. I did buy my Miele induction from ABT, but at the time, Coupon Cabin had a deal where I could get 5% back. I clicked all the appropriate buttons and waited. I was told my request was turned down but I appealed it and since I bought through the link the appropriate item, I got my 5% rebate.

Then I started looking for the Miele plumbed Steam Combi. After realizing there just were no deals, I resigned myself to going ABT again. Looked on eBay one last time and a guy listed a brand new one, still in factory wrap for $1200 less than retail. I snapped it up Arrived in perfect condition and it's in the middle of installation now.

I'm still struggling with my Miele Microwave or Speed oven, so I've not purchased it yet, but I'm still looking on eBay daily and I can always try Coupon Cabin again! LOL

Good Luck with your purchases!

>I would never let a contractor, designer or architect choose my appliances!

I agree with this, do your own research.

One option not mentioned in the original post is going to, researching at and buying directly from a manufacturer's showroom, also variously named design center, experience center, design showroom, culinary center, etc. These places are usually staffed by design professionals, and in my experience the staff are in a different league entirely from the average folk you'd encounter at any appliance store.