I've bought only scratch'n'dent or floor models for the past 30 years, always with a full warranty that covered any issues that arose after delivery. Most have worked perfectly -- only the most recent floor model stove needed adjustment for the thermostat, and we noticed after delivery that the produce drawer frame was broken in the refrigerator. Fixed without any problem. Sometimes they are missing a part or piece of trim -- which also have been covered under warranty, even though they are sold "as is". The Sears Outlet in my town, I have noticed, will put used appliances out on the floor along with the damaged ones. The telltale sign is, they don't clean them! so you will see crumbs in the fridge and detergent residue in the dishwasher, or maybe an odd odor. I won't consider those.

My customer was looking to have 27 replacement vinyl windows installed in a home that was nearly 100 years old. Home depot persuaded him that their low-cost vinyl windows were "good" quality at an affordable price. I've been in the remodeling business for over 30 years and had never even heard of the manufacturer that HD was pushing. Fortunately, the day the customer was to go in and pay for the windows so that the order would be placed, I just happened to be in Lowe's for some grout sealer & walked past the Door & Window department. They were having a 20% off sale on Pella windows. After calculating the prices for the sizes needed (most were 78" tall)I called my customer & told him about the sale. He was able to get windows that were double-hung (vs. HD's single-hung),argon gas filled, double strength glass and frames made of considerably thicker vinyl than those at Home Depot. It took nearly 4 weeks to install all the windows given I work alone and the installation included all the 2nd & 3rd floor windows. Three weeks into the project I unwrapped the plastic on the first window to be installed on the 3rd floor only to find a tiny crack (1/2") in the bottom corner of the inner sash. I called the salesperson I had worked with at Lowe's who informed me that the claim had to go through Pella, not Lowe's. I thought "Oh boy, here we go" expecting all kinds of problems. I couldn't have been more wrong. I got through to Pella's 800 # on the first try and spoke to a real person not a recording. I explained that I had found a crack that I had missed on first inspection. The Pella rep asked me for the serial number on the inside of the sash and after I gave it to her she said "Thank you and we are sorry about the cracked window. We will build a new one and ship it directly to the house, at no charge." After saying "Good-bye" I just stood there looking at the phone for a few seconds then thought "Wow, there are still companies in America who stand by the products they make and believe in customer service after the sale." The new sash arrived in 8 days (2 days sooner than I was told) and the customer is a Pella fan for life. He recently called to tell me he wants Pella windows installed this spring in the building he owns to operate his business. P.S.About the 78" tall windows: the shear weight of a window this tall requires shimming the sides perfectly level not just top and bottom but also at least at one or two places on the side to do the job right. Do this and the windows operate as smooth as silk. Don't do this and you will regret it.

Thanks everyone for your recs - keep them coming! Doc - isn't it true that so many of central Ohioans who buy Amish cabinets have more money than sense. The in-laws live in Cincy. Perhaps we will stop by David Smith's show room on the way to check him out. I have a feeling he will be painfully expensive. We will see what the future budget is...oh how I hate the B word... Who did you use for your counters? Were you happy with the material and the installer? Self installing isn't a deal breaker, but it is something I'm confident we could do. We bough a fixer upper %30 below market value to make it our own. We are the GC, plumber, electrician, etc. andreak100 - I can understand not wanting to put the cabinet maker in an awkward situation. Could you email me the New Wilmington gentleman's information? Just click on my username. We have family in the Youngstown area so we could pop on over to PA to see some of his work and meet face to face. estercita - they are a bit far but so is dutchwood and upstate new york. I may give them a call and see if they allow pick up and self install as I'm sure they wouldn't treck to Ohio. Can you post pictures of your installed cabinets please? I bet you waiting for your cabinets is like a kid waiting for Christmas! aokat15 - wow talk about kitchen envy. I couldn't help but notice the Pro48 and Wolf range. I will admit those our WAY out of our reach and even if we could afford it, it would be overimproving for our $225k neighborhood. Our kitchen is currently an L shaped 6.5 foot x 10 foot. We will add a peninsula to make it a U so we won't need as many cabinets as you. A few questions - are your pendant lights Hudson Valley? If not, what are they? What stone yard/fabricator did you use for your counters? Were you please with your experience? I would like the super white, but sometimes it can be hard to find that "perfect slab" and am willing to go to Cincy for that if they can deliver up to Columbus. I notice you have a toe kick. Does Mark Miller offer a non toe kick option? I haven't decided either way, I was just wondering. Does he have a showroom? And lastly, price. If you are not comfortable emailing me the ball park of what your cabinets cost (and I totally understand) could you give me an idea on where Mark Miller came in relative to your other bids? Hopefully we can swing him if we like his work since our kitchen is TINY!

In addition to photos of both on the web Monrovia has been sending large tubbed 'Kay Parris' to sales yards here where these can be viewed near 'Little Gem' of similar stature. One retailer I frequent had rows of the two selections presented side-by-side last year, enabling easy comparison of foliages and growth habits. 'Little Gem' has been very common here for some time, making its appearance and performance under our conditions - generally similar to those of Britain and Northern Europe - quite familiar. In addition to its small parts it consistently stands out for often being a deeper green than many other southern magnolias are on local soils. My experience with this highly popular item includes viewing one in a southern California garden center compound that appeared to be about 42 ft. tall. Personnel on hand reported that a mucky muck from Monrovia - who markets it as "dwarf" - had told them such height was most unusual for this plant. Yet my recollection of the illustrated Magnolia Society account of the original variant showed and described a tall narrow column. (College libraries housing complete sets of this journal will have the relevant issue, published some years ago now). Of those that are currently in general commerce my preference is for 'Bracken's Brown Beauty', due to its comparatively normal looking - as in less magnolia-like - foliage and habit.