Positive experience with small independent dealer

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I thought I'd post a short bleep concerning dealing with one of the  "small guys. I drove to nearby Hemet to pick up my new Speed Queen washer yesterday. The owner couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. He has owned his business for almost 40 years and had major appliance experience prior to that. We talked briefly about Speed Queen and while admitting the new 2018 machines were very different he was careful not to "bad mouth" them instead saying that time will tell how satisfied people will be. Apparently they do most of their own servicing. They loaded the washer on my truck and used my ratchet tie-downs to secure it. It was a real pleasure to do business with a smaller company as opposed to a big-box store. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I doubt anyone out of the area is going to journey to Hemet to buy their appliances unless they're also interested in horses and dairy cows which are everywhere there, but it's good to know they're still nice people around. I originally thought that little building on the right was the whole show.</span>

 

[blackstone]

It's always nice to hear about these stores. My parents and I were in the business for many years. Not only is a small business a great service to the customer, but it is also a great way of life, particularly if it is a family-only business.

http://www.acme-electronic.com

 

[toploader55]

WOW

What great photos. Thank You very much.

 

[frigilux]

I've always purchased appliances from small local dealers and have nothing but good to say about them. They often do their own repairs and will go out of their way to make customers happy.

 

[dylanmitchell]

Independent dealers are a great resource. Did he say if he serviced Palm Springs for repairs? Hemet is pretty remote unless you're in the Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee or Palm Springs area versus B and B in Escondido or hitting something in Riverside. San Diego has a few good independent but we're a good distance from Palm Springs.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">He never said he serviced the Desert Cities and I didn't ask. I seriously doubt it. It's not difficult to get warranty Speed Queen service where I live. I would have bought the machine locally if I could have found one. Hemet seemed to be the closest. As far as the 2018 models, the guy did say it seemed they would be very easy machines to service. I liked the way he had several washers on the floor with their insides "exposed" so you could do a little comparison. Like I said, he seemed like a nice guy.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">The words "factory service" leave a bad taste in my mouth. A few years ago my problematic Whirlpool all-refrigerator was failing. I took the cover off of the evaporator and noticed a bizarre frost pattern. I reinstalled the cover and called  Whirlpool factory service. The guy walked in, opened the refrigerator door, felt that it wasn't all that cool inside then closed it. He turned to me and said "this will be about $950 to $1,000 to repair". While I was writing out the $60 check I said "you know, that's pretty damn good, you should get a job at Eisenhower Medical Center and sit by the door so you could tell people what's wrong with them instead of them wasting a doctor's time". Just call me a smart ass.</span>

 

[paulg]

My story

I also use local, independent dealers / servicers whenever possible. My story...
Years ago I had a washer where the transmission had failed. Of course the washer crapped out on a Saturday and the last vacation day I had was the following Monday.
I went to the local big department store to look at washers. I asked if they could deliver it on Monday. After twenty minutes of fiddling with the computer, they couldn't tell me.
If the washer comes from this warehouse, we can deliver it, if it comes from the other warehouse we cannot. We're not sure of anything. Cannot guarantee a day.
And so I went to a big-box appliance store. No attendants around. Nobody. Looked around for help. Nobody.
There was a wall of refrigerators. I looked behind it. There were six employees all chatting. I turned around and left immediately.
I then went to the local Maytag dealer. I walked in the door. A friendly person greeted me. ( ! )
All I said was this:
"If you can deliver a washer on Monday I will buy it here. If you cannot, I will leave."
The salesperson said, "We WILL deliver your washer on Monday."
I bought the washer. It was delivered Monday and I sung their praises every opportunity I could.