Berkeley Parents Network: Where to Buy Appliances

Berkeley Parents Network

Where to Buy Appliances

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > What/Where to Buy > Appliances & Electronics > Where to Buy Appliances

What brands ahve you purchased, and why?
Miele
Airport Appliances Hayward
Sears Retail Appliance Outlet San Leandro
Wards Richmond

What brands ahve you purchased, and why?

July 2004

I am remodeling the kitchen and will soon be shopping for new appliances: fridge, cooktop, ovens, dishwasher -- the works. I'd be interested to hear what brands people have recently purchased and why. Where did you find good information (Consumer Reports? other sources?) Any Viking, Wolf, or Miele purchases? Are these high-end brands significantly better than GE, Whirlpool and the like? We expect to give our new appliances a lot of use and want to make the right choices! Remodeller

I spent a lot of time picking out appliances recently... we ended up buying most of them at Airport Appliance but if I were to do it again, I'd buy them at Expo Design Center. The prices were the the same at both places (they both had the lowest prices that I could find for medium end stainless steel appliances) but airport was willing to hold them until our kitchen was ready for them. In the end, Airport did not hold the appliances, and we had to make two trips to pick them up because some weren't there after all, even though they had called us to say that we had to come pick them up soon or they would sell them to someone else. (we had already paid for them, and they had only been in their warehouse for a few weeks.) Anyway, we chose a Bosch dishwasher because I know several people who have them and swear by their clean dishes and super quiet machines. We got a nearly brand new kitchen aid double oven/convection microwave and a kitchen aid fridge used off Craigs List, and a viking gas cooktop. The most expensive appliance ended up being our Vent-A-Hood... but again, we wanted something really quiet and something that could handle venting the more powerful viking gas cooktop! Good luck. It takes awhile to figure it all out. Check out epinions for reviews of specific models. I found that the cheaper brands weren't nearly as user friendly. The ice maker in the freezers of cheaper models takes up so much space, and the ovens and dishwashers of cheaper models had bad repair records. I also decided to go for matching handles on the oven, fridge and dishwasher so that it would look more unified. cooking again

I love my Miele appliances! They are expensive but well worth the cost. We have a baby and bought a Miele washer/dryer because I wanted to wash my cloth diapers at home. The washing machine has a setting for wool and I regularly wash my silk suits and ''dry-clean only'' clothes in it. The large washer can also wash a queen size comforter. It uses very little energy, water and soap and on the weekends I do 8-10 loads a day with no problem. One down side however is the amount of time it takes to do a load. A regular load take 1 hr and 42 minutes to wash.

We also have a Miele dishwasher and it's so quiet sometimes I have to put my ear on the machine to check that it's on. I like the flat cutlery rack that's at the top of the machine. You load the silverware out flat on a tray. It's more hygenic to unload and you don't have to bend down anymore.

Finally, we have a Miele vacuum cleaner and the cleaning ability, quietness and Hepa filter are excellent. There are absolutely no ''funny'' vacuum smells when the machine is on.

If you do a Miele search on the internet you'll find information about why Mieles are excellent and lots of places that sell the vacuums - we bought it online and they didn't charge tax and the s/h was free. We bought the washer/dryer at General Applicances in Berkeley on Shattuck and the dishwasher in San Jose. The SJ store had a clearance center for all their high-end applicances. I can't remember the name, but email me and I'll look for it.

Which ever applicances you do buy, have Sandy of Fog City install them for you. General Appliances recommended him and he's great. Fog City - 925-949-7034 Don't mind cleaning so much

Airport Appliances

Airport Appliances in Hayward has excellent prices on all appliances and a ton to choose from. The staff is also helpful and knowledgable.

Hilary (6/99)

Sears Retail Appliance Outlet

Dec 2002

Re: when to buy a fridge
Can't say when is the best time, but can recommend a place. We recently bought a new fridge at the Sears Outlet in San Leandro. After doing some research at regular appliance stores, we were able to find what we wanted at the Sears Outlet for about 25% off. They had a HUGE selection (overwhelming) and most of the fridges seemed to have just minor cosmetic damage. (dents and dings.)

There is a Sears outlet in San Leandro with a huge selection of large appliances, mostly with minor cosmetic blemishes, but at great prices. My husband was very impressed with their selection. Good luck, Laurie

September 2002

Re: Buying a stove
If you are looking to buy a new gas range, I recommend the Sears Retail Appliance Outlet in San Leandero. They have literally a couple of hundred of gas ranges (various name brands, but mostly Kenmores which are highly rated) which are discounted from 15-50% b/c of usually minor cosmetic damage that occurred in the warehouse or which caused someone to return it (some have a little more). We have bought 3 appliances there (including a gas range) at great deals. They also have tons of refrigerators, washers and dryers. Everything is covered by the usual warranties. You have to arrange for delivery -- either deliver yourself or they have a phone # there for a delivery service they work with which we have used each time. You have to get it delivered within 3 days. Their phone # is 895-0546. good luck. karen

Laurie (6/99)

I recently had my fridge quit too (the weekend we had our first dinner party in about 5 years--but that's another story) and found the Sears Outlet in San Leandro to be just great!!! They have all the same brands/models carried in the regular store, but these have been returned for some reason. Sometimes there's a little nick (or a big nick) or some other cosmetic blemish, but they are all in perfect working order AND they carry the same warranty as one you'd buy in the store. We got one with a little scratch that I can't even find anymore, for way under regular retail and it was the one Consumer Reports rated highest in its class. I did my Consumer Reports research, then called the outlet to see which they had. They gave me the range of prices for the models they had in. The same models are different prices depending on their appearance. You do have to arrange for your own delivery which cost us about $70 from San Leandro to El Cerrito (as opposed to the $45 if we had bought it from the regular store) but we saved much more than $35, so it was no big deal. Also, if you sign up for a Sears card you get another 10% off--at least that was the deal when I was there about 2 mos. ago. Their # is (510) 895-0546. Good luck!
Tampine (6/99)

From: Nancy (4/99)

Sears Clearance Center in San Leandro stocks a full line of appliances of many brands at substantially discounted prices. Some of them have cosmetic defects, such as a scratch in the paint. Others have been exchanged by their original buyer because they had a problem, have been repaired and are now ready for sale again. I have bought three appliances there and have been very satisfied. I have, however, only bought new ones with cosmetic defects.

It's listed in the directory, and to get there you get off at the Marina Way East exit from HWY 880. Call them for exact directions.

From: Kathy (4/99)

We buy all our appliances at the Sear's outlet. They sell kenmores as well as whirlpool and maytag. There prices are discounted from the main stores. They do not deliver though. The are located in San Leandro (# in phonebook). We have been very happy with our washer/dryer and refrigerator.

From: Tavie (5/98)

Regarding buying a used gas dryer-- Sears has an outlet store in San Leandro that has new and damaged appliances at very reasonable prices. You may get a new one with some dents in it for the price of a used one. They also carry mattresses, furniture, TVs, etc.

Ward's

Our refigerator died a month before our daughter was born last fall, so we did a mad rush to find a new one. We didn't necessarily do a full price comparison, but we did check with the major sellers (Sears, Wards, some local appliance stores in Marin) before buying one. We ended up purchasing a new Frigidaire from Wards in Richmond. They have a good selection and the lowest prices around. They also often have sales (usually around holidays, which fortunately we were able to take advantage of) and have free delivery. The fridge is great and has worked out really well for us. It's just a simple model with no ice maker, but has a large freezer above the roomy fridge. I especially like the clear acrylic shelves and the modular arrangement so that odd-sized things can go just about anywhere. Also big shelves in the door that can hold a one-gallon milk container. Very convenient. Hope this helps!
Gretchen (6/99)

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