Another Local Appliance Store Gone

[washabear]

I was taking a walk down the main street of my town today and was shocked to find that the local appliance store was dark and empty. A quick search confirmed that the store went out of business. The information I found wasn’t very explanatory other than having a quote from the store president, who said that “It was just time,” and “We thought financially it wasn’t feasible to keep on going that way.” Apparently the store had been in business at that location since 1947.

I always loved seeing the store whenever I passed it and was so glad it was there. I bought some appliances there just this past January. The prices were a bit higher than at the chain stores, but I thought that buying from a local store was worth it, and the sales and delivery services were great. Now we have the loss of a long-standing business and another empty storefront on the street.

This makes me sad.

Thanks for reading.

 

[danemodsandy]

Very Sad.

Bruce:

For once, a complaint like this is coming from someone who has a right to mourn the passing of a resource. So many people nowadays claim to be upset about the passing of local stores and services, but when you look at their actual buying patterns, you quickly see that they're doing their shopping out of the very big-box stores they claim to deplore. That "low price" gets a lot of people, every time.

You were putting your money where your mouth was, willingly paying a little more to support a resource that could give you more than the big-box stores. I'm sorry that not enough people in your area felt the same way you did.

One of the things we have to get back to in this country is the idea that the American way of life costs money. If Americans are going to enjoy a high standard of living, we are going to have to pay prices that actually support that standard. In the past fifteen years or so, we've demonstrated, very clearly, that it's impossible to have a viable economy that benefits the largest number of citizens when people demand artificially low prices on goods produced in nations with sub-standard wage scales.

If I vote with my pocketbook to deny you a decent wage and some reasonable benefits, then the day will come when someone else will vote the same way on me. It's really as simple as that, and very few people get it.

 

[goatfarmer]

I've only bought 2 NEW major appliances, a Whirlpool S/S Refrigerator, and a Maytag dishwasher. Everything else has come off the junk pile somewhere. But both the new purchases were from independent local dealers. I won't buy something like that from the box store. Too impersonal, lack of service, keeping my money local, are all important to me.

kennyGF

 

[iheartmaytag]

Forgive me for I have sinned.

I am guilty of buying my appliances from Lowe's.

Why? Because they offer instore credit, 12 months same as cash, free delivery, free haul away and open seven days a week.

I have bought from appliance stores and been very happy, but I don't always have the checkbook balance and need that little bit of help from GE Capital credit. This is my reason most of all--Line Of Credit. that the little guy can't and isn't in the position to offer.

 

[frigilux]

I've always been an indie appliance dealer shopper. There have been so many service horror stories when dealing with a manufacturer's 800 number or big-box stores that paying a few bucks more for the appliance is well worth it.

Fortunately, there are no big-box places in my small town, so the indie dealers (all of whom do their own service) are doing well. Lord knows I do everything I can to keep them in business, LOL.

 

[jeffg]

We got our Speed Queen from a local appliance store in Redwood City. They had the lowest price we found anywhere. $120 less than AJ Madison online.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I work at a small Maytag franchised indie dealer. We find ourselves able to compete with the box stores due to several factors. We offer 6/12/18 mos. no interest financing thru G.E Capital. We have a better chance of knowing what we're selling than the box store guys. If there's a problem, we actually HAVE a service department vs. just rattling off a 800 number before hanging up. Our product is inspected BEFORE delivery for damage, not on the cust's driveway. If the product does have a problem, the persons delivering it are in a position to actually fix it, then and there. As for price, we >usually< are in the same ballpark and the money stays local.

What frosts me are the customers who worked us for all the advice and product info then went to a box store, saved a few bucks, then had a problem either with the delivery or the product. After being shined on by the salespeople at 'Home LoweWilleys', they come to US and inform us (usually in a angry, hostile yelling voice) about the Box Store's screwup and asking what WE'RE going to do about it.

Sorry Guys. A sore subject...

RCD

 

[jaytag]

You Are So Right

My Mother said it right....You Get What You Pay For. I cannot understand people that won't spend an extra $20 for a sound relationship with a local dealer. I ve heard so many horror stories about Lowes and Sears. I have experienced Sears only once to say never again. The best exp I ve ever had was with a local dealer, who was very easy to work with and did have the best knowledge and customer service skills and offered a much better finance plan, plus gave me an amazing 10 Year Compressor warranty on the fridge...free of charge. WOW

 

[bobbins]

Yes I do agree about the big box stores; however I recently experienced buying a used Frigimore FL and a brand new GE stacking dryer. The day when the appliances arrived, both appliances were DOA! I know I could fix them easily – door switch on the dryer and the pump on the washer were seized, I didn't want to mess up the warranty - so I ended up having him repair it. The warranty ran out on the washer and the controller and motor went….there was nothing he could. I don’t expect him to go broke - but I was quite frustrated (at least he could put some used parts in it to make it work...instead he ignore my phone calls) so I went to SEARS!

My experience with SEARS have be A+++++++ I have a long history of buying appliances with SEASRS and when the salesperson brings up my file – Whoa - watch out - the salesman gets a hell of a rise! They literally bend over backwards when I am in the market to buy appliances!! YES, I keep my shirt on

SEARS History to date:
1995 – I bought a portable Kenmore washer and month later I moved, I asked if I can return it for a credit towards a full size washer no problem!

1996 – I moved to an apartment and the full size washer won’t fit. Again, SEARS took my washer back credit it me for the portable washer

1996 – I bought a TOL Kitchen Aid floor model Dishwasher, the dishwasher was DOA and I noticed it was dropped. They took it back and credit me for another NEW Kitchen Aid

1997 – I bought a Kenmore 26 Cubic Ft SXS fridge and an Ammna Built in Convection Range

1998 – I bought a Kenmore – first SS tub Dishwasher. It was noise and I SEARS credit me and I bought a TOL Kitchen Aid

1999 – My Range electronic clock failed and it was going to take 2 months to repair. Christmas was around the corner and again after I talked to the Salesperson they took my stove back and credit me towards a Brand-new Kitchen Aid Slide in Convection Oven stove.

2000 – My Kenmore SXS fridge line started to develop hair line cracks. After expressing my frustrations, AGAIN they took my fridge back and I bought a brand new Kitchen Aid SXS fridge.

2005 – I bought a Kenmore Duet washer / dryer set

2006 – I bought a Bosch Dishwasher

2007 – I bought a Kitchen Aid SS Tall Tub Dishwasher (floor model)

2007 – I bought another Kitchen Aid SS Tall Dishwasher (floor model) for my suite

2007 – I bought a Kitchen Aid Cook Top and Double Wall Oven (in storage – floor model)
2008 – I bought a Kenmore (made by LG) 24” FL washer / dryer set

The only big box store nightmare I have is buying a floor damage model Kitchen Aid Range – built in from a store called The Brick. I bought extended warranty and I am I am glad I did! I had to have the electronic clock replaced 6 times in 3 years and the Ceran top replaced. However, the buggers took the serial and model tag off …and this has caused a lot of grief trying to get it repaired…I believe they took the tag off because they made a claim on their insurance!

Bob

 

[frigilux]

RCD, I don't blame you a bit for venting on that particular subject. When I helped friends shop for appliances earlier this month, we did just the opposite; We went to Best Buy/Lowe's/Home Depot to peruse, then went straight to their local dealer to purchase.

 

[swestoyz]

To keep this simple - all I'm going to say is that I've pointed my parents into going local (Direct TV and Appliance or Smitty's Tire and Appliance, both in Cedar Falls, IA), instead of with the box stores. Not just because they deal in Speed Queen, but I've already heard great things from them about talking to someone who:

1. actually cares about what you are doing and why you are buying it
2. knows the product better than most of the staff at a box store
3. again, CARES about what you are trying to do

I feel for you Andrew. I work within a technical product support group for a major industrial supplier, whom receives many, many calls from angry customers wanting support for private label items bought at a box store. "Well they said to just call you if it breaks! They have no clue what they are doing... (and so on, and so on)"

Ben

 

[andrewinorlando]

I don't know, Sears has been around longer than any of these big box stores or most local small appliance dealers. I've never had a problem with Sears after years and years of buying there and at the outlet stores. While I agree with everyone that we should support our local businesses, there is something about Sears selection, prices and service that is hard to beat.

 

[jons1077]

Andrew,

You are very lucky with Sears then. I bought 6 brand new TOL appliances from Sears a few years back. Half of them had issues within 1 year of owning them. I had extended warranties on all of them. After parts breaking on the fridge, a motor going out in the dishwasher, and no working stove for 3 months (it took that long to fix it...NO STOVE) I was done with them. They sell absolute junk and I'll never buy a new appliance from them again. I'll probably never buy a new appliance again to be quite honest. I was so disgusted with that whole situation. Sorry, I really was.

 

[launderess]

Problems For The Small Merchant Are Legion

Especially for appliance stores.

On one hand they have the big box, nationwide stores that because of their size and buying power can potentially move thousands of units a year,never mind of what sort of quailty those units are. Because of their size and amount of units they can also push vendors to give them better rates, something a small volume dealer simply cannot.

With fewer and fewer "major" appliances living up to their name, consumers have really stopped buying on quailty, and just go for whatever is the flavour of the month. After market sales and service, areas where the little appliance dealer shines, only works well if the appliances in question are designed for repair, which in most cases they are not. The days of simply changing a belt and keeping that old Maytag running another 10 years are pretty much over. One is lucky to get 10 or even 5 years out of most new appliances these days, and when they break down, the cost of parts and repair easily exceeds or equals the cost of new.

Big stores can also afford to carry huge breath and range of all and sundry appliances. Small dealers simply cannot afford to put that much money into inventory. Telling a customer today "we can order it for you", is likely to loose the sale, as they head right down to Lowes or Homeless Depot who has the thing in stock, and usually for less.

Finally there is the cost of doing business, which everywhere in the United States is going up. Labour, rents, power, gas, etc all keep going up; and if sales don't match the business has nothing to do but fold.

Appliance sales are very much driven by housing. We saw this during the post war boom in the USA. Appliance dealers couldn't keep things in stock, and people tended to shop down-town or on Main Street. Of course today everything is about the mall, or Big Box store as a destination. Consumers tend to want to go where they can get everything in one area.

Finally there is the Internet, which is killing many brick and mortar stores. Consumers do their research and order in, no muss, no fuss.

The whole cycle feeds upon itself. Children or grandchildren of appliance store owners see where the train is going, and don't wish to get into the business. Repair is slightly better, especially in the larger urban areas. so there is still money to be made there.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

You've hit it on the head, again L.

Launderess, you've hit on several painfull points. We've survived for so long due to being diversified. We sell new and used. We service both cod and under warranty although the warranty is more customer support than a money maker. We rent appliances as well. Owning a laundromat helps. All the above means being nimble enough to be able to survive the current economy. Not Thrive. Survive. If we'd been purely new sales only, we'd be history. Being an established, locally owned business (since 1977 or so) means we have a faithfull clientelle although that's a shrinking thing as the 'old school' shopper looking for quality and maintaining a business relationship dies off with the younger generation more focused on buying low priced, short lived products. It would be impossible to start a small business like ours in this day and age. It is worth mentioning that we are doing well in the area of distressed (scratch & dent) appliances. More and more customers are willing to purchase new, warrantied appliances with scratches, dings, even minor to moderate cosmetic cabinette damage to save some money. we can't keep it in stock...
RCD

 

[iheartmaytag]

In the olden days

My mother would only have GE appliances in her home, and they all came from Mr. Morrello at Electric Home. As the appliance stores dwindled from existance in the 80's, there are now a few Maypool dealers, and Litton appliances that does the bait & Switch adds. You go to look at a Maypool, but they will only show you a Bosch, Fisher & Paykal or Asko. Otherwise you go to Builder's supply, Home Depot, Sears or Lowes.

I hate to see the little guy leave. Even the man at Lowe's said that they are the ones that cause the appliances to be throw-a-way, and the litte guy to go-away. He said what happens is Lowe's purchasing will contact a company, say Whirlpool and the conversation goes "We will buy a million washers for our stores for the next year."
"Great says Whirlpool"
"BUT" says Lowe's purchasing "We will only pay $X for them"
Whirlpool will then have to either makes these machines for that price and still make a profit, or lose the business. They choose to lessen the product to meet the demand.

The big problem is the next year Lowe's purchasing calls Whirlpool again and says "We will take two million washers for our stores this year." "BUT. . we are paying less than $X for them this year." Again the company must comply or lose the business.

On the other hand, a company since I am using Whirlpool only as a name and do not mean to imply that others don't feel the same pressure I will continue to use the name Whirlpool for my examples. So Mom & Pop Appliance calls up Whirlpool and says "We want to buy 1,000 washers for next year."
"Great" says Whirlpool's rep. "They will cost you $XXX+"
"But that's more wholesale than I could buy them retail at a big box" says Mom & Pop.
"Buy a million units and we will get you a better price, otherwise we can't afford to sell them any cheaper."

The little guy, by definition of being little doesn't have the buying power of the big box stores. Then he has to pay his rent, utilities, delivery trucks, staff and still stay in business. To do this they have to work harder and sell higher.

I always try to buy from the local guy first, I will pledge to try to work with them more--but I still love going to Lowe's after Mass on Sunday and looking without feeling like I'm taking up someone's time.

 

[oldhouseman]

The local

Utility companies here used to sell appliances and you could make a monthy payment along with your power bill. Then the retailers cried fowl and the state stopped it. I noticed that the local emc in Sparta now sells appliances. You can get a good cash price or finance with them and make monthy payments. There is also a guy in town that operates "The General Store" which is a second hand store that carries what I would call yard sale left overs and he sells used appliances but won't touch anything more than 10 to 15 years old. He baulks at vintage anything but does an amazing bit of business selling the junk.

 

[mayken4now]

Well, I have first hand experience in both the Private Dealers(The best in my opinion) and the Box Store(s)(The worst in my opinion).

If you are forced to, then by all means go to Sears, and let the best of the worse happen. You will truly take a f.....g if you use Blowes or Homeless Orange. They are horrible, from the minute you walk in, until delivery then will exhaust you after that should you need service, have questions etc.

OH YES, Sears, you will most likely end up with a dented or damaged machine at least twice, then they will try to take some off if you accept it. Not me, bring me what I paid for. IF, you choose to pick the machine up yourself, (like I do), then you can inspect on site! They don't like it, but too bad.

Save all that and go to your idependent dealers if your area still has them.

Steve

 

[goatfarmer]

Before we bought the 'fridge, or dishwasher, we went to Blowes, and looked around, tried to compare prices. But sometimes you can't. So we figured out which features we liked, and then went to the local guy to buy what we wanted.

The problem you run into, is sometimes you can't compare apples to apples. Blowes might have a certain Maytag dishwasher, but the model # is something only Blowes carries. You can't get that particular model # at the little guy. So you can't compare model to model.