What do you think?

[dkersten]

With the 4th of July holiday comes sales.  I've been taking advantage of some of them to buy stuff I will need as my house is being built (wire mostly, 15% off at monoprice, woot woot).  But now I have a choice to make and I am wondering what you guys would do...

I will need a new refrigerator in January (left the old one with the old house), and I already have the money set aside for it.  Right now, I can get it for $1000 off.  It's possible that it will go on the same kind of sale between now and January, but then it's also possible that it could go up in price before then, or the next sale isn't as good on this particular one. 

It's the same model I bought before, and I was happy with it, and I really don't care about the crazy new technology of having cameras in the fridge, or big touch screens on the door.  All the other appliances are Whirlpool gold series, so I am pretty set on staying with that brand as well as the model.  I also have the space in one of the rented garages to store it, unopened so that it doesn't get damaged.  The garage is unheated, and this winter it will likely get well below freezing out there, but that shouldn't be an issue for a brand new fridge.

So the upsides:  Guaranteed to save $1000 (plus another $100 by using the Lowes credit card).  Peace of mind that one more item is checked off the list of things to do (it's a long list, lol). 

The downsides:  #1 is warranty.  I would have half the regular warranty by the time I plug it in.  #2 would be the cost of moving it a second time (not huge considering I will be paying movers anyway).  #3, the possibility of physical damage I can't see until I unbox it.  And #4, the possibility that they could come out with a better model for cheaper right before I need it.

[harveybirdman]

As long as someone else is moving it, just get it bro and don't let your boy near it.


Dance with the devil you know, you'll always compare a different model to what you "were happy with and could have had"

[ChadTower]

I would just wait for the Presidents' Day sales once you have the house.

[pbj]

Storing it seems like asking for trouble to me.  Takes like 5 minutes to get the fridge once you actually need it.

[JDFan]

Does Lowes offer an extended delivery schedule/Layaway for XMAS ?? -- perhaps you could order it now and have it delivered when you are ready - or pay for the layaway so that the final payment is when you are ready - That would also get around the warranty as IIRC they start on the delivery date.

[dkersten]

Does Lowes offer an extended delivery schedule/Layaway for XMAS ?? -- perhaps you could order it now and have it delivered when you are ready - or pay for the layaway so that the final payment is when you are ready - That would also get around the warranty as IIRC they start on the delivery date.

Good call, I will find out if they can do that..

[dkersten]

Storing it seems like asking for trouble to me.  Takes like 5 minutes to get the fridge once you actually need it.

Except you only see the big 30+% sales on this stuff a couple times a year.  Not sure when or if there will be another this year.  And when we finally get to move in, we will need a fridge that day, it's not exactly something you can wait a few months to get, lol.

[Howard_Casto]

Storing it seems like asking for trouble to me.  Takes like 5 minutes to get the fridge once you actually need it.

^This^

I'm all for saving money, but not at the expense of potentially damaging a discounted appliance by storing it and then transporting it to another location.  You have the store deliver it.... then if it gets a dent you can send it back. 

[pbj]

Or shove it off onto the sucker that buys your house....

[ChadTower]

You don't need a fridge that day or at least you don't need that fridge that day.  Pick up a small used one on CL at the time until you can get the one you want.  Then flip that fridge for what you paid or stick it in the garage/basement/etc.

[dkersten]

Or shove it off onto the sucker that buys your house....

I would never do that...   

I have no guilt, he got that fridge for free...

[dkersten]

I'm all for saving money, but not at the expense of potentially damaging a discounted appliance by storing it and then transporting it to another location.  You have the store deliver it.... then if it gets a dent you can send it back.

Based on my previous experience, I would tend to agree, lol.  In this case, the hardware store would deliver it to my garage where it would sit until January when a moving company would move it into the new kitchen.  In either move, the movers would be liable.  The only risk of damage is sitting in my garage where something could fall on it if I were digging around trying to get something out of the back of the garage...  It would still be wrapped up in the packing material that does a pretty good job of protecting it.  But that being said, yeah, potential damage is my biggest fear.  But $1000... damn, I'd hate to miss out on that...

[ark_ader]

Do you need a new one?  Can you not locate a used one? Apparently they are cheaper.

[dkersten]

Do you need a new one?  Can you not locate a used one? Apparently they are cheaper.

Need is relative, lol.

I NEED a refrigerator.  I WANT a new one.  I also WANT the new one to match the other stainless appliances and fit in with a high end kitchen. I also WANT to save $1000, lol.

[dkersten]

I read online that they will hold appliances, now I just need to go in and see how long they will hold them. 

[BadMouth]

A lot of things could happen.  House might not be finished on time.  An awesome new fridge might come out by then.
I like nickel and diming stuff ahead of time, but it isn't worth the risk.  I'd rather have to wait for the next sale after moving in.
(put a free craigslist fridge in the garage to hold you over)

[dkersten]

Lowes will hold an appliance indefinitely, specifically more than 6 months.  And I can cancel the order at any time.  The salesman I spoke with suggested that the other big sale like this (up to 40% off appliances) that they do each year will be in November.

I have until the 12th to decide if I want to pay now and guarantee at least the $1100 savings (with the 5% from using lowes card), and return it in November if I find a better deal, or just wait until November and pick something out then.  Only risk would be if they pushed back when I tried to cancel the order. 

[fallacy]

Buy a fridge from Best Buy, because I have always wondered why they have been selling fridges since the dawn of time and who is buying a fridge from Best Buy?

[dkersten]

Buy a fridge from Best Buy, because I have always wondered why they have been selling fridges since the dawn of time and who is buying a fridge from Best Buy?

Twice the price for half the product.. Excellent business model, lol

[Howard_Casto]

Well it can't be THAT bad a model... they somehow ran circuit city out of business.  Then again there is a significant amount of the population that is just plain ignorant when it comes to tech.  When I tell people that I NEVER buy a computer or computer accessory in a store they get a puzzled look.  When I explain that you pay a minimum of 50% more when you buy a computer in store as opposed to online they STILL give me a puzzled look. 

[ChadTower]

Best Buy finances damn near anyone.  That's why.  They don't sell computers and fridges.  They sell high interest consumer loans.

[BadMouth]

Well it can't be THAT bad a model... they somehow ran circuit city out of business.  Then again there is a significant amount of the population that is just plain ignorant when it comes to tech.  When I tell people that I NEVER buy a computer or computer accessory in a store they get a puzzled look.  When I explain that you pay a minimum of 50% more when you buy a computer in store as opposed to online they STILL give me a puzzled look.

One time, in public, I overheard a woman insisting that one tablet was better than the other because it came from Best Buy instead of Walmart.

[wp34]

Best Buy actually has a great selection of appliances and much like Home Depot and Lowes they are almost always on sale.

[ChadTower]

On sale like womens' clothing.  Marked up 80% and discounted 30% this week only.

[dkersten]

I shop Best Buy all the time.  I can grab a FireTV box, Chromecast, or Fire Tablet there for the same price as anywhere else, including Amazon.  And I have bought hard drives, switches, routers, RAM, etc. there because there are three choices for that sort of thing here: Online, Office Depot, or Best Buy.  If I need it now, they are the best chance.  But their "high end" is mid range stuff marked up.  I shop them for Blu Rays too, and have found some good deals. 

I have never seen appliances lower than Lowes or Home Depot, and in our city, Lowes, HD, Best Buy, and one dedicated appliance shop, Fred's, are all right in a group with adjoining parking lots.  So shopping them against each other is easy.  When I bought my fridge last time, I hit Best Buy to see if they had better, and they had the same model for $400 more, also "on sale". 

I think ChadTower is right, they stay in business because they finance stuff.  They make it convenient to buy stuff you don't need, even if you can't afford it, and that is a great business model.

[ChadTower]

  When I bought my fridge last time, I hit Best Buy to see if they had better, and they had the same model for $400 more, also "on sale". 

Are you sure it was the same model?  Best Buy, Lowe's, etc all have unique model numbers for the stuff they carry even if the item is identical.  It prevents price matching policy from being applicable.

[pbj]

Zzzz.... let's talk about how Apple is overpriced or something now.

[Howard_Casto]

Ok.... apple is overpriced.  I think that covers it. 

[fallacy]

I think Lowes has become the defacto choice now for most appliances, there prices always seem better than Home Depot.

Funny thing is not even that long ago Sears was always the defacto choice for appliances. As ---smurfy--- as their customer service has always been at the store I always went to anyway there products were always the opposite, I can't believe how much they dropped the ball.

[wp34]

On sale like womens' clothing.  Marked up 80% and discounted 30% this week only.

And jewelry.  That stuff is always on sale.

[fallacy]

Bed Bath and Beyond always made my laugh with that %20 off on your purchase coupon they would hand out everywhere. Everything in the store was marked up %35 to %40 even compared to something like Target. They would actually feel bad if you did not have the coupon, still I don't think there was a woman on this plant that did not think they were getting a deal coming in that store with their %20 off.

[wp34]

I have never seen appliances lower than Lowes or Home Depot, and in our city, Lowes, HD, Best Buy, and one dedicated appliance shop, Fred's, are all right in a group with adjoining parking lots.  So shopping them against each other is easy.  When I bought my fridge last time, I hit Best Buy to see if they had better, and they had the same model for $400 more, also "on sale". 

YMMV.  When we bought a new washer and dryer a few years ago Best Buy had the best deal.  Heck when we replaced our iMac a few years ago it was cheaper for me to buy it at Best Buy than to use my Apple educational discount.  They are not always the cheapest but with this stuff it is often about timing.

[pbj]

If Blockbuster had only purchased Netflix when they had the chance.

[dkersten]

Bed Bath and Beyond always made my laugh with that %20 off on your purchase coupon they would hand out everywhere. Everything in the store was marked up %35 to %40 even compared to something like Target. They would actually feel bad if you did not have the coupon, still I don't think there was a woman on this plant that did not think they were getting a deal coming in that store with their %20 off.

I went to Kohls and bought a bunch of clothes and some sheets one day.  Picked the stuff that was "50% off" or BOGO.  At checkout, I used a kohls card for 10% more off and the the lady at the register rings it up and says, "You saved Five hundred and eighty five dollars today."  Two ladies behind me exclaim (yes, exclaim) "OMG, $585??  We need to shop with you!".  SMH.  I SPENT $400 that day, I didn't SAVE anything.

You only SAVE money when you buy electronics on sale, right?  And guns...

[fallacy]

I think Kohls is one of the grand masters when it comes to promoting fake savings for stupid ass women.

[dkersten]

I think Kohls is one of the grand masters when it comes to promoting fake savings for stupid ass women.

I agree.  But when it comes to clothes, it is the equivalent of Men's Warehouse for men, lol.  I went in to get a new jacket and maybe a shirt.  Picked out two shirts, grabbed a new tie, one sport coat, and for good measure, a pair of dress pants.  Signed up for the credit card to save 25%.  Went to ring it up and there was also a BOGO that just started that day.  So back to picking stuff out.  Another sport coat, two more shirts, another pair of pants, and the accessories were Buy One Get Two free, so two more ties, and hell, while I'm at it, lets get some socks and pocket squares too.  I walked out with 2 jackets, 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 3 ties, 3 squares, 9 pairs of socks, and the total was $750.  Regular price was somewhere north of $1800.  And I got it all altered to fit, lol. 

One could say they saw me coming from a mile away.  Two months later, my company sold to a larger corporation and I now find myself traveling and spending a lot of time at meeting tables where I can't wear my usual t-shirt and jeans and all those new fancy clothes are being put to good use... And I have to say, when you dress the part, you start to feel the part.  So maybe I came out ahead after all, lol. 

[fallacy]

Ya but at least there is something to the altered to fit part of the price so you are walking out getting exactly what you want. otherwise you might have paid half the price but you picked out things that you thought were close enough later to decide it not close enough and never wore it.

[wp34]

We were in Lowes tonight looking at dish washers.  The salesman said that this is the last big sale they have until Thanksgiving.   So you should get another chance before January.

[fallacy]

The salesman told you should get it now or you will miss the sale… wow

[wp34]

Not if I don't need it until January.

[ark_ader]

Ok.... apple is overpriced.  I think that covers it.

Quality over quantity.  My Apple gear still works 10 years on without needing an upgrade. I have a G4 that does more than my PC laptop.

I'll take quality anytime.

You kids can buy the cheap ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, then moan about it.  Need to look at the price, then you cannot afford it.

Worse part is I'm not even an Apple fanboi.  Their ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- just works.

[dkersten]

Yeah, the salesman told me the same - Big sale in November, but until then this is it. 

Current sale lasts until the 12th, lots of time to think it over.

[dkersten]

Ok.... apple is overpriced.  I think that covers it.

Quality over quantity.  My Apple gear still works 10 years on without needing an upgrade. I have a G4 that does more than my PC laptop.

I'll take quality anytime.

You kids can buy the cheap ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, then moan about it.  Need to look at the price, then you cannot afford it.

Worse part is I'm not even an Apple fanboi.  Their ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- just works.

I'm all for quality over savings as long as it makes sense.  These days Apple makes no sense.  A 7th gen core i5 doesn't perform better when in a white box than in a black box, regardless of the kind of fruit painted on the back of the monitor.  Apple's OS runs everything slower except Adobe products.

My daughter just passed the "gate" into the graphic design program at the university she is attending.  The requirement for her last 2 years there is an Apple macbook pro.  Awesome, I have to buy her a $2600 laptop that has the exact hardware a $700 dell has.  Or I can buy a 3 year old Apple laptop for $1200 that can't outperform a brand new $350 HP with a core i3 and 4 megs of ram.  All so her instructors don't have to say "on PC's, use 'control' instead of 'command'."

[fallacy]

All my built desktop gaming PC have all just worked since Windows 7 but because there are so many different drivers and hardware out there it does not seem to be the case for everyone. I guess it is a little like buying a suit, do you want to pay twice as much to make sure it is taylor fit or do you want to take the gamble and get something that might not just all work. Plus for me I do so much messing around in VR, gaming and 3d modeling I would never get an apple for that reason alone.

[dkersten]

I guess it is a little like buying a suit, do you want to pay twice as much to make sure it is taylor fit or do you want to take the gamble and get something that might not just all work.

I would refine this analogy:
Do you want to buy your jacket, pants, and shirt at shops you like, then take them to your tailor to have altered to fit.  You run the risk of your choices either not quite matching or not even being alterable to begin with, BUT you get to choose from hundreds of brands, colors, fabrics, and ultimately can create thousands of combinations.
OR
Do you want to go to a specialty shop and buy a suit that is already picked out to match and all ready to tailor to your frame, but costs 2-4 times as much as the other option and there are three choices, black, brown, or blue.

If you suck at coordinating your clothing, or if you aren't paying attention and get something that is not able to be altered, you will end up with a suit that just doesn't work.  But if you know what to look for and have some sense of style, you can save a TON of money and can choose to stand out in the crowd or blend in without anyone the wiser.  Only snobs will point out that your suit doesn't have the same popular label as theirs does.

THAT is the difference between Apple and "the rest of us". 

[Howard_Casto]

Bad analogies.  Say you are going to do some gardening and need a shovel.  You go to Lowes.... they have a shovel for 20 bucks... it's just a shovel.  You go to this hipster all organic gardening supply store in the gentrified part of town.  They sell pineapple shovels, which are really trendy.  These shovels come in a custom wood case, are polished to a high sheen and are supposedly better at shoveling (in reality they are only sometimes better and even then only marginally so).  You look at the price tag.... 150 friggin dollars.  Now if you are the type of person that shows off their tools to everyone the pineapple  is indeed flashy, but you just need a shovel, for, you know, shoveling, so you run back to Lowes as quick as you can and never bother to go to that stupid hipster hardware store again.  You also notice shovel parts on sale at Lowes.  With them you can build a shovel for a mere 5 dollars, but there are rows and rows of handles and blades in different shapes and sizes and they don't really tell you which will work well with which.  Some people can build the shovel of their dreams that way and some can't because they are clumsy doofuses who literally can't stil a handle in a hole.

[dkersten]

I've never had to assemble my own shovel from various parts from various stores, so I don't really identify with that analogy.   

But here is something I do identify with: 
I am trying to put together a nicely converged home automation system.  Speakers in every room with centralized source distribution and control, security system, remote controllable door locks, window blinds, and lights, cameras all around the house that can be viewed from any device in the house or in my pocket, a climate control system that can also be controlled any way I choose, and voice control, wall keypads, and wall mounted touch screens to control it all.

The tech is there, but making it all work together is tricky.  If you have the money or simply don't have the capability or desire to tinker until it works, you can go to any number of dealers and get a complete system to make it all work.  You are buying a single polished product that just works, but everything you add to it will cost 3-4 times more than the generic stuff that does the exact same thing.  There is also a certain amount of prestige associated with the brands, even in the entry level. 

Or you can do the research, find products that are DIY friendly and can work together, and then start building your system with the help of other DIY'ers.  Some of the parts are high end, some are as cheap as it gets because you don't NEED high end to get the desired result.  But it is YOUR choice, 100% from start to finish.  Will it all work the way you want?  Depends on your skill and how much you are willing to research ahead of time.  And not only do you get to choose from a wider variety of products, you also save money.  Upwards of 75%.

That, to me, is Apple computer products.  Limited choices, out of the box functionality, and premium prices to match VS. something you can put together yourself and meet or exceed the performance for a fraction of the price.  It's all a matter of what you are after and how hard you are willing to work for it.

[pbj]

Arcade collectors suck at analogies.   

[jennifer]

   I would LOVE me some pinapple shovels...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6BUPvE2sM.

[harveybirdman]

Horray that jennifer is alive...

[yotsuya]

   I would LOVE me some pinapple shovels...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6BUPvE2sM.

She's back!!!

[jennifer]

   I would LOVE me some pinapple shovels...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6BUPvE2sM.

She's back!!!

FAKE NEWS!!!, What is your source sir? .....(Giggle, and laugh and laugh).... You guys make it sound as if Honeypoo is dead or something

[yotsuya]

   I would LOVE me some pinapple shovels...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6BUPvE2sM.

She's back!!!

FAKE NEWS!!!, What is your source sir? .....(Giggle, and laugh and laugh).... You guys make it sound as if Honeypoo is dead or something

We missed you, baby!

[wp34]

We have been shopping for appliances the last couple of weeks during "Black Friday".  For the models we are looking at the sales prices between Lowes, Best Buy and Home Depot are all within a dollar or two of each other.  It is a bit uncanny how close they are.  I assume the manufacturers are setting these sale prices for them.  The only difference we are finding is in the rebates being offered at each store. 

The model numbers have all matched so far as well which surprised me.  The only odd thing we have seen is that Best Buy doesn't carry the stove that goes with one set we are looking at while Lowes does.

[dkersten]

I agree, I even read an article that said many manufacturers are setting prices for the Christmas sales and any stores that have distribution agreements have to follow them.  I have seen it on TV's, electronics, appliances, tools, etc. this year.

I did pull the trigger on the fridge about 2 weeks ago.  There is an upgrade too, they discontinued the regular stainless model and it is now "fingerprint resistant" stainless.  Looks the same (doesn't look like there is a coating or paint on the stainless) but actually does really good on resisting fingerprints.  Otherwise identical fridge to the old model.  The interesting thing about the pricing model is I got this one for $1899 (regular $2899) and the upgrade model with the middle drawer split into two drawers which is regularly $3099 is only on sale for $2899.  Not sure why two models nearly identical with one small difference have such drastically different sale prices.  The one I got is 40% off, the other is only 10% off.   

I'm happy, the house closes on Dec 22, and delivery is set for the same day.  I won't be touching this fridge until it is in place and working, and if there is the slightest blemish, it goes back, lol.  Of course, something will happen in the first few weeks and I will have a dent or a ding of some kind.  It's just the nature of things..

Oh, and by waiting I did save a few dollars, although I was in such a hurry to get in, buy it, and get home, I forgot to use my Lowes card for the extra 5%... I used my regular card for only 1.5%, so I lost out on ~65 in savings.  Oh well..

[wp34]

Glad it worked out for you.  We finally pulled the trigger on our appliances last night--also at Lowes.   

Funny thing though.  The sales associate noticed that the way their computer split the purchase on to two receipts was not going to work with the rebates being offered.  We have to go back in later this week and he is going to help me finagle the rebate applications.  This doesn't bother me a whole lot because Lowe's is 5 minutes from our house but it is still very odd.