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Best of the Guide 2005: Large Appliance Stores
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Where's the best place to buy large appliances? Below are our reader's suggestions for BEST LARGE APPLIANCE STORE. Take a look, ask around and then vote.


 
 
REVIEWING PERIOD
Local:
  • RCI- Broadway and 98th street
  • Gringer & Sons -
  • Klearview on Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn.
  • Bloom & Krup
  • Drimmers Major Appliances - Brooklyn
  • EBA - Nostrand in Brooklyn
  • Dial-a-Brand - in Merrick (516) 378-9694

    Elsewhere (and everywhere):

  • Compact Appliance
  • PC Richards
  • Lowe's
  • Sears

  • Chicago:

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    Best of the Guide 2005

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    Comments (33)

    Gringer & Sons on First Avenue.

    posted by Teonyc on 2005-11-03 15:25:32

    I recently bought a new stove at Gringer & Sons in NYC. They've been highly rated at all the usual places, but my experience was not positive.

    Rude, insulting, unhelpful salesperson, two delivery failures, and a really slow response to my follow-up inquiries. Eventually, they knocked a few bucks off my bill to make up for the problems, but I won't buy there again.



    posted by Nancy on 2005-11-03 15:35:27

    P.C. Richard & Sons. I've used the one on 14th & Irving place many times. They've always matched or beaten the prices at Gringer and it's much easier to find a salesperson to help you. On the other hand, you can often find products at Gringer that you won't see anyplace else.

    posted by Nancy on 2005-11-03 15:38:28

    Yikes, two comments by people named Nancy -- mine was the second so I've added an initial.

    posted by Nancy H on 2005-11-03 15:40:14

    absolutely pc richards - the one on 80-something and bwy delivered a stove THE NEXT DAY that home depot asked an 8 week lead time for. really great.

    posted by tim on 2005-11-03 16:45:12

    i recomend buying from a neighborhood retailer if you have one.
    my local store rci broadway and 98th street has all major brands
    viking, bosch,lg etc. i shop here to support local business and for better customer service.

    posted by patrick on 2005-11-03 17:28:43

    I've had fine experiences with Lowe's (in Florida).

    posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-11-03 17:52:42

    just bought an under the counter fridge at gringer & sons after a 24-hour foolish fantasy gone awry with a noisy, smelly second-hand low boy fridge from the bowery. gringer happily took my $800 and delivered my new quiet consumer replacement the next day. i guess i'd go back there again, although i'm a little unsettled by the high cost of what is ultimately a glorified dorm fridge.

    nanette

    posted by nanette on 2005-11-03 21:40:46

    Sears.com has worked well for me in Brooklyn. I ordered replacements for all of my kitchen appliances from them. I had a minor problem with the dishwasher order, which they resolved and gave me a $100 credit.

    posted by led on 2005-11-03 22:18:56

    Sears. I think Kenmore is still supposed to be a pretty good product line. On the other hand, never buy anything with moving parts from Home Despot.

    posted by v. dentata on 2005-11-03 23:37:19

    In Chicago, ABT Electronics is often recommended, but when I needed to replace my dishwasher, I did a little comparison shopping and ended up buying my Bosch dishwasher from a place called Grand Appliance right in my neighborhood. Prices were more than comparable, the installation was great and I didn't have to drive out to the suburbs!!

    posted by Kathryn on 2005-11-04 07:59:22

    We bought all of our appliances at Klearview on Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn. You should go in knowing what you want; we had mixed results with salespeople there. But we got great prices and they were very nice about some delivery hitches we encountered.

    posted by Beth on 2005-11-04 10:18:34

    I live in Manhattan .I just brought a refrig, stove and dishwasher from a store in Brooklyn EBA on Nostrand Ave. The Salesmans name is Tom Marley and he was absolutely wonderful.His product knowledge was terrific and he really gave me great prices and an education ! Thank you Tom and EBA

    posted by Mary on 2005-11-04 15:25:51

    Call Barbara at Dial-A-Brand, a great showroom in Merrick. I'm a Kitchen Designer, doing high end kitchens, and refer all my clients to her after having dealt with numerous dishonorable appliance people over the years, I mean the type who will steer you to certain brands. I have no tolerance for that. My clients have no idea when that is happening to them, but I can tell from what they come back to me and tell me. Her prices are unbeatable from what I hear back from my clients and she knows nearly everything about appliances. Her store is in Merrick. Her service is great and she is just as accommodating as she can possibly be. But ask for Barbara. I will tell you that if anything goes wrong, you want someone who you feel will be on your side. I've had clients who changed their mind several times over after an order was made and near delivery. She was just very accommodating and easy to deal with and just a NORMAL person. And, even though you may think appliances are nearly always readily available, they're not. Be clear as to when you need them and follow up 4 weeks before to verify that they will be available to you. (516) 378-9694

    posted by susiq on 2005-11-05 06:12:00

    Drimmers by far. They have the best prices, carry all the designer brands, and ship to you usually by the next day. I have used them on several jobs.

    posted by patricia on 2005-11-07 16:26:58

    I've been happy with Drimmers too re prices, etc. The problem, I've found, is that they know that they have good deals and are rude on the phone. Plus they dented my refrigerator door during the installation and wouldn't give me a discount, (however, they did offer to replace the door).

    posted by Shoshana on 2005-11-07 21:14:19

    Living right around the corner from Gringer, I thought I'd be using them during my renovation. But - and I know it's probably not a popular place - I bought a bundle of major appliances, ranging from a basic micro to a high-end Miele coffee maker at... drum roll: PC Richard @ Union Square.

    Not only were they (ask for "Vince" or the manager, "Dan") incredibly knowledgable, friendly and patient (I bought everything in June and I'm still [!] waiting for the OK from my contractor to install), their prices were competitive... and now whenever I go in I get the royal treatment in price and service. It may not be as "cool", but PC Richard is all right in my book.

    (And it didn't feel like an intimidating, old-school, Boy's Club in the way that Gringer's did...)

    posted by Erika on 2005-11-08 11:08:35

    1 block east of Gringer is Best Housekeeping. It's a big storefront on Ave A, just above Houston, that looks like it hasn't changed its sign or logo since 1930. Their appliances, however, are the latest and greatest, and Fred Stern knows the biz like no one else. I renovated my LES studio in August and needed to buy every tiny (stainless steel) appliance available: fridge, dishwasher, micro, and gas range. Priced them out at Gringer, did tons of online research, and ended up buying them (and my beautiful kitchen cabs) from Fred @ BH. Couldn't be happier with the appliances, the service, or the prices: cheaper than online, but with free delivery right in the nabe.
    It's busy and sometimes chaotic in there, but don't be put off. The reason the floor is littered with big appliance boxes is that they sell truckloads of 'em every day: NYC landlords are onto this place!

    posted by Dene on 2005-11-08 12:40:23

    Gringer & Sons is the worst. They failed to tell me that my range wasn't in stock for two weeks and they charged me for it. After realizing it was missing from the large appliance order I placed - I called them and got no apologies. Also the microwave I ordered was damaged and the offered to fix it? I would never recommend Gringer to anyone - try Drimmers in Brooklyn. They have much better customer service.

    posted by BT on 2005-11-10 10:21:25

    For years, everyone in my family has purchased large appliances from Mrs. Cobb(914) 946-6745, whose company has a warehouse somewhere in Westchester...She has the best prices anywhere, and believe me, I priced everywhere-- hyperventalating all the while--before I bought mine: a DCS oven, Jenn Air French Door fridge, and Miele dishwasher...Even my parents swear by Mrs. Cobb, and they are the most critical shoppers anywhere!

    Nadine

    posted by Nadine Woloshin on 2005-11-14 13:21:28

    Susiq I dealt with Barbara and she had a very poor Knowledge of the product .

    posted by PETER on 2006-02-08 11:35:05

    Forget about the ones listed. Go to Curto's Appliances in Yonkers. It took me about 20 minutes by car and other Manhattanites (who recommended them to me and didn't have wheels) did all their business with them via email or the phone. Their showroom is larger than Gringer and they've been around longer than any of these guys. Prices were very sharp and they followed through impeccably on a full kitchen package for me. Ask for Jonathan or Linda. They are at www.curtos.com.

    Tony

    posted by Tony on 2006-02-08 18:37:20

    Drimmers is, alas, not what it used to be. They delivered a SECOND damaged refrigerator and told me they will not replace it ... I'm stuck with it, because I "signed for" the first fridge without unwrapping it and inspecting it, and they only offered to replace it with their floor model as a "courtesy." (This, after I waited all day on Friday for the delivery which never came, and then they tried to deliver it on Monday without even confirming with me!) Luckily I had the presence of mind to have the driver take away both fridges, so I told the salesman that I wasn't "stuck with" anything ... so they have to refund my money. But this has been an outrageous experience, particularly from a company that I have done lots of business with and whose number I have given to many people ... and I told them so!

    posted by Jane on 2006-07-19 17:58:56

    I had a wonderful experiences with an appliance store in cedarhurst, AHC Appliance. Not only were their prices unbeatable but their product knowledge was uncomparable. I did a major renovation and had many size and product restictions, they were the only store that asked me the important preliminary questions neccesary to make the right purchases. I have subsequently gone back there to buy Plasma televisions. They not only remembered me but gave me the royal treament as well. i'll never go back to the big box stores again

    posted by RONNIE on 2006-09-04 16:44:36

    I am remodeling my kitchen and have a clear idea of what I want to do. I have picked out my cabinets and some appliances but I need a kitchen designer to help me with the technical and some logistical stuff. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm in the West Village

    posted by Nancy on 2006-09-24 20:57:09

    I ordered from Drimmers because it was $200 cheaper than Best Buy and Sears but he charged me more for shipping instead of waiving shipping. After reading these reviews, who knows how this is going to turn out. Because of the shipping charge, I chose to not order another appliance from them. I liked ordering from the big box stores because every one gets treated the same but Drimmers came through with availability and the price savings was a nice extra.

    posted by Begonia on 2006-10-09 16:55:43

    Beware of Sears...Since K-Mart bought them out they have started charging a 50% restocking fee for cancelling or returning appliances. It no longer "Satisfaction guaranteed or your Money Back"...

    posted by Roger on 2006-11-13 17:53:48

    I have owned this fridge for less than a month and the temp won't go below 40 degrees (unsafe). I have a fridge thermometer which I usually keep in my Kenmore by Whirlpool fridge so I know the thermometer is working fine. Food smells when I place it in this fridge. I bought it from AB Drimmers in Brooklyn and have emailed them as well. This is my second whirlpool purchase from Drimmers. The very expensive clothes washer is delightful but if my experience is not positive with regard to this fridge, I am retracting the previous positive review and boycotting Drimmers and Whirlpool.

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 14:02:09

    Drimmers is faxing me a receipt in "two minutes" because Whirlpool needs dated proof of purchase to send a repair ticket out and Drimmers did NOT give me a receipt at delivery just a delivery stub. Whirlpool tried to do the same thing that Sears did on my GE fridge for eight years i.e. they said that food is okay between 30 to 46!!! degrees so forty degrees at maximum temperture is just fiiiiiiiiine and I wouuld have to pay for the service call if there was nothing repairable on the fridge because my warranty only covers repairs and if they decide there is nothing to fix then there is nothing to fix so what if my meat is spoiled, my milk is warm! It was EXACTLY the same spiel as Sears. I told "Jennifer" to look on the internet to learn that 40 degrees is not SAFE for meat and that I have fridge thermometer that tells me that the fridge is stalled on 40 and has yet to enter the "safe" zone on my thermometer AND food smells in the fridge. I told "Jennifer" that if maximum temp according to Whirlpool is 40 degrees that I will go on every internet site that allows reviews of Whirlpool and write that Whirlpool stands by 40 degrees as safe for meat. I've read Fast Food Nation and I own a fridge thermometer. I am in no mood to be diddled! It's already been two minutes and I don't have a Drimmers fax yet. I will post again!

    p.s. "Jennifer" put me on hold for five minutes and then told me that maximum cold in Whirlpool fridges is supposed to be fifteen degrees. I also told her I was going to take a picture of my 40 degree thermometer every day and post it on the internet!

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 14:28:39

    Got the Drimmers fax

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 14:38:21

    Jennifer then left a message on my voicemail saying that the repair was cancelled and I would have to call back. When I did knowing that Whirlpool must have my phone number in the system, I was told that I should place a glass of water on the second shelf to test coldness as the proper method. I told her that I was using a PROFESSIONAL thermomet i.e. SCIENCE not emotion and if I had to go through the same hoops as with Jennifer then direct me to somebody who is authorized to deal with me. They are sending "factory service" out to me tomorrow. There's no way that the methods used are the same as Sears to avoid fixing uncold fridges. It's an industry wide scam.

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 14:58:32

    800 253 1301 WHIRLPOOL REPAIR (RECORD THEM!)

    800 905 9505 INDEPENDENT FACTORY SERVICE PROVIDER FOR WHIRLPOOL

    I called the latter number to confirm tomorrow's appointment between 1 and 5 pm.

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 15:06:30

    Well, it is back to sears and no more drimmers for me. I figure that I have a lemon on my hands and if Whirlpool replaces this two week old fridge then that new fridge will also be sucko so I asked Drimmers if they would let me trade it in for a more expensive model and they could return this piece of crap to Whirlpool and be reimbursed. The man on the telephone told me that Drimmers does not have a return policy on refrigerators and they would be incurring a total loss if they did. What bullshit. I've purchased from Jackson Eng Appliances at Confucius Plaza for decades and they are on the phone daily with the manufacturers ordering refrigerators and returning bad stock. I don't believe Drimmers at all. And therefore, I will not be patronizing them again.

    posted by Begonia on 2006-11-16 15:17:27

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