Vintage Photos from our Local Appliance Store

[aamassther]

Here's a link to some cool, old photos from our local appliance store, "Big Georges Home Appliance Mart". Most from the sixties. It's been around since 1959. In one photo it looks like there are some coppertone MultiMatics and another Hotpoint or GE portable dishwashers. Todd

http://www.big-georges.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=43

 

[frigilux]

Cool! All those great mid '60s Frigidaire and Maytag washers & dryers...

 

[gansky1]

Great pics - thanks for posting this link. I see some push-button Maytags!

 

[whirlcool]

It kind of reminds me of one of Polk Bros. smaller stores.
Ah, the memories! I really enjoyed seeing those vintage shots! All those Televisions!

 

[mielabor]

A jewelry department in an appliance shop?

 

[63getelevision]

These are fascinating. Is there a central place on the internet that may have various different store pictures? I have found Stix,Baer&Fuller, J.L. Hudson, and Wolf&Dessaur, on different sites. It's wonderful to see all these things in stores, in addition to the other sources. I'd love to see pictures of our Magnavox dealer, but I think that man was not especially interested in anything other than making money.

 

[washertalk]

In the one picture with Ge dishwashers in the back it seemed there was microwaves above which makes me think these are early 70's. Did anyone else see that? I did see late 60s coffee colored Frigidaire washers.

Hmm. Interesting store layout. All I could think is, comparing the front of the new store and this one, I would shop at the older store.

 

[drewz]

LoVe Those Consoles!

Nothing like an RCA Victor "New Vista" Color Console in 20 different cabinet styles!

So many cabinets, So little time!

 

[Washinsheen]

I can remember when they started phasing out the cabinet styled TVs and phasing in the more electronic looking ones that are more like today. I was appalled. I couldn't see how they were going to look good in a living room.

I recently showed my nephew a picture of an early American style TV console. His question was, "Why does that TV look like a dresser?!"

It's interesting how styles change.

 

[63getelevision]

I inherited my mom's 1996 RCA stereo color console, it went down twice in 11 years. Even though it has a handsome traditional walnut finish cabinet, it of course is mainly pressed board and plastic. I truly miss the console TV era, after our old Philco, that was all we got. Don't get me started on console stereos, though.

 

[danemodsandy]

TV Stands

Man, do I wish I could find a TV stand like the ones holding some of those portable sets! I don't care much for today's "entertainment centres"; I'd rather have something that can be rolled around.

 

[Cybrvanr]

That place reminds me of the old BEST products store we used to have here in Richmond. They had all sorts of electronics, cameras, appliances and even sporting goods. Neat discount place! That shop in the pictures looks like a lot of fun...plenty of neat stuff on sale!

Did anybody see the radar-ranges in the background of the "ranges" picture?

 

[drewz]

Cybrvanr

You would have loved to see that warehouse in Ashland! I worked in an Arlington store for years and all those appliances, tvs, stereos, you name it were sent back to this warehouse to be "field destroyed". Manufacturers like Sony, Pioneer, Marantz, JVC, etc, would automatically give credit for defective merchandise by sending in serial numbers. Then we would ship everything to Ashland and there would be tons of merchandise waiting for the hammer or however you could destroy it. Don't get caught taking it either, BEST was well known for there loss prevention and sending employees to jail on a regular basis.

 

[washertalk]

heart breaking story.

 

[63getelevision]

I can't understand why the things just couldn't be returned to the manufacturer. I'm sure it was because of someone's idea that it was more trouble than it was worth.

 

[danemodsandy]

Freight!

Destruction of defective goods happens all the time, because the shipping costs are too high. Think what UPS charges for one eBay parcel, then multiply that times thousands of units, and you're talking a major shipping bill. Repair costs are even more. Cheaper to eat the defective unit.

On some things, with major stores or chains, manufacturers do have an agreement for periodic pickup of defectives; a big chain like Macy's will accumulate enough to make it financially feasible. Then the manufacturer can refurbish whatever's repairable; this is the source of refurbished goods sold through Big Lots and catalog houses like Damark and Homeland. But not everything is worth it.

 

[blackstone]

TV Stands

I have about a dozen of these TV stands, still in boxes, never sold, in the TV & appliance store that I am clearing out. Many times, customers bought TVs, but did not want a stand. I would hate to throw them away, if someone could use them.
Fred

 

[launderess]

Much of what is sold today in terms of electronic and appliance goods aren't worth the effort of shipping back, much less repair, so off to the krusher they go. Think about it, if a washing machine sold today is largely built of components and not truly designed for repair in your home, what is the manufacturer going to do with it? Consider also so much in terms of electronics and appliances are made in Asia or Mexico, and no one is going to pay to ship them back there whole. As scrap metal yes, but not as an entire unit.

Once asked a Miele rep what happens to defective/returned units, and got rather a vague answer. One is sure they don't ship them back to Germany, but aside from priviate sellers, one does not see Miele merchandise being off loaded any where else but contract dealers. Strongly suspect defective Miele USA goods are trashed as well.

L.

 

[danemodsandy]

Fred:

"I have about a dozen of these TV stands, still in boxes, never sold, in the TV & appliance store that I am clearing out. Many times, customers bought TVs, but did not want a stand. I would hate to throw them away, if someone could use them."

Hi Fred:

I sent you an email off-list.