This question often comes up when you’re searching for the right home appliance. You could either go to a big box store and get something brand new but end up paying more or you could shop local and see what’s available. In today’s post, we are going to look at the pros and cons of each option and help you decide!
Shopping for Appliances at Big Box Store Brands
The first two that come to mind most often would be places like Home Depot and Lowes, and perhaps followed by Costco, Sam’s Club, Sears and Conn’s. These types of retail shops have the advantage of being in so many places throughout the country. What you see online is very close to what you’ll get in store. And usually, the same brands are sold for the sake of consistency.
These stores are vast and sell so many other kinds of products outside of home appliances. It can often be overwhelming if you don’t know your way around. But at the same time, you know going in what the condition of the appliances are going to be since it’s new inventory.
Sounds like a great deal, but lots of people find themselves wanting something more affordable. Times are tough right now and for many families, it just doesn’t make sense to spend more money than necessary on an appliance when they could easily find the same brand used or refurbished and save hundreds of dollars.
Shopping for Appliances at a Local Appliance Store in Your Area
If you’re looking for bargains, checking your local appliance store is likely your best bet. You can find many major brands at these places for a lot less than going to your typical retail outlet. Many of these stores are also family run, so there’s more of a personal connection when you walk in. There’s also the added advantage of having technicians on staff who are ready to help if something goes wrong with your purchase in the next several months. Purchasing from us for example, you get anywhere from 30 to 90 days on whatever you buy. Sometimes we even extend the guarantee to 6 months depending on negotiation with the customer! It doesn’t matter if it’s new or used or if the appliance already has factory warranty included.
You can always call or email us if you have any issues, and we’ll send out one of our technicians to investigate. We’ve often swapped out appliances as well when our customers have had issues. We understand that things happen, and we do our best to make sure each appliance is thoroughly cleaned and tested several times before the sale.
Another advantage of shopping for appliances at a local level is that sometimes, the store might have brand new or open box inventory that has never been used. These are where you can get some of the most overlooked deals where you can save yourself hundreds of dollars and end up with a perfectly functional refrigerator or stacked washer and dryer set.
When you go into a local appliance store, you know from the start what to expect. You don’t need to spend a lot of time walking around like you would at a big box retailer. There’s usually someone there who can explain which appliances are ready for sale and have been tested. Another bonus when it comes to shopping for your next appliance local is the ability to check out other local appliance stores in your area and be able to compare prices.
You have more time to make a decision before committing to anything, whereas with big box brands, you don’t have as many options and have to settle for the retail price that’s posted. There’s little room for negotiation or haggling in that scenario whereas with the local appliance store, they’re happy to sell you something at a discounted price!
Pros of Big Box Appliance Retailers
- Online shopping
- Consistent prices at multiple stores
- Easy to find most of the time
Cons of Big Box Appliance Retailers
- Very little room for price negotiations
- Much more expensive inventory
- Not as much technical support in house after you purchase an appliance
- Product and delivery delays often occur
Pros of Local Appliance Stores
- Better in house technical support
- Discounts available, even on new and open box inventory
- Easy to find multiple appliances in one place
- Better delivery options, especially same day delivery
Cons of Local Appliance Stores
- Less likely to deliver long distance due to financial constraints
- Less options when it comes to online payments
- Certain inventory might not be available right away if you want something ultra specific
There’s advantages and disadvantages to shopping at local appliance stores vs big box brands in GA. It all depends on what you’re looking for and what your budget is. Whatever option you decide, take the time to evaluate the pros and cons of each and make an informed decision. Whenever you’re ready, visit our store and check out what we have available. We have a variety of used washer/dryers, refrigerators, and stoves as well as brand new ones.
Thank you for reading! If you have any more questions, give us a call at 781-656-3475 or visit us at 6486 Buford Hwy NE Unit 5 Doraville, GA 30340.