🚀 go-pugleaf

Bill wrote:
> 
> Being as new refrigerators use less electricity than older models, I would
> use any excuse to buy a new one. Might want to try a different brand and
> shop around. Don't forget that stores like Home Depot and Lowe's sell
> appliances too...

Shop around better.

In the last round of home remodeling (two bathrooms) and a refrigerator
and front loading washer purchase we pretty much found out that Home
Depot and Lowes carry "B goods" - the manufacturer's second best line of
anything. You want the three-way bath vent from Broan? The one with a
light, exhaust fan and heater? The one with a metal grill - not plastic?
Those stores don't carry it. They will carry the version without the
heater and with a plastic vent cover from the same manufacturer - for
about the same price... Want to order it? Forget it - they won't order
anything they don't carry in the store inventory.

Couldn't find a single bathroom cabinet in either place we liked - no
matter what price point we looked at. Bath faucets? They have a
bazillion of the cheap "apartment model" faucets in stock. Anything off
that path - either in quality or style? Like that one. Nope - out of
stock. Ok, how about that for our second choice? Out of stock. Third,
fourth, FIFTH choice? Nope, nope, nope - all out of stock. At both
stores. (I suppose there is a point to having them on display...) Wasted
more damned time in those stores looking for stuff that was perpetually
out of stock or they didn't carry to begin with.

Appliances? This time around we went with an independent dealer. The
independent was pushing rebates - and made sure we walked out of the
store with all the right forms. (No problems getting the rebates
either.) We did our research and decided on an Amana refrigerator - best
value for the price. Very good reputation for reliability. Did either
big box store carry an Amana in a size close to what we needed? Home
Depot? Nope. Lowes? Nope...

It's like trying to remodel by shopping at WalMart. It is what it is -
and that ain't saying much.

Rick