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The last two appliances (well researched as well since we are of off-grid) we have bought have been from Lowes via online, simply because they were the only retailer that had the model we wanted (an LG washing machine, and an LG fridge). We bought both with the warranty, and haven't had any experience with needing it yet. The deliveries ("free") were late (with several calls about what was up) but in the end we got what was ordered with the delivery well done by subcontractors, who appreciated a some talk story and beers.
So far, so good. And I hope we don't have to use the warranty...knock on wood. Nearly everything we ever bought, with varying warranties, from Sears went down in the year after they expired, so I guess that might happen with our Lowes purchases as well. Home Depot has never had a major appliance suitable to our set up.
I think, Hawaii being at the end of a transPacific cul-de-sac, that these kind of big item appliances, and the generally fusked up transactions we have in purchasing and using them, are simply the "price of admission" to the east side of Hawaii.
There is a small, but growing, part of my brain that wants to chuck it all (six acres of orchard that needs more time an energy than I give it) and move somewhere to a "condo by a Costco" but so far the larger part of my brain can't get over the view and quiet from the lanai.
Fire ants surely have the potential to ruin the romance of orchard work into retirement, sooner or later I guess.
OTOH, I find that automobile repair, and especially solar gear, are likely similar or superior to mainland experiences--and that is pleasant.
Terracore, I enjoy your contributions to PunaWeb for their high ratio of information over feeding-the-trolls, but, man o man, you seem to have bad luck with retailers of all kind. Do you have any success stories about your commercial endeavors? Perhaps you should just stop buying stuff.  (totally tongue in cheek)
Cheers,
Kirt
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After reading this... I've come to a few conclusions.
First off, if I had to spend that much time on the phone or trying to get someone on the phone, the next call would have been to the bank (credit card company) to do a reverse transaction.
Second. Maybe I've been lucky? But, I've had fridges and a washer delivered from home depot. Always on time, and always good service, the first fridge we got delivered made a horrendous noise(s) when it was running and loots of clicking noise when it was not, we couldn't deal with it, so we told em to come get it and bring us a little bit more expensive one. They did, came out out with the new one and picked up the old one. On time and no problems and much quieter!
Thirdly .... We bought a washer with a lot of bad reviews maybe 20% bad, But figured since it was on sale, we would try our luck... so we purchased a 5 year warranty in case we fell into the lemon bracket.
The washer is fine and is doing it's job, I think it's past it's 5 year warranty. But sometimes it makes a loud noise like the transmission slipping out of gear from a car. It's been doing this all of it's life probably since 6 months from when it was new, and rather bothersome, I've learned NOT to call the on the extended warranty, since, well, it's still working. And it probably will be still working for another 5 years (hopefully). Since, when someone takes it apart and says needs this or that, hopefully they ordered the part and show up ... meanwhile after all this, hopefully they fix it. I've heard all the horror stories. So... I'll probably not get the extended warranty unless it's a lawn mower. If they breakdown, it's time to get a new one. Beats hoping someone will show up and actually know what they are doing if they do show up, order the right part, and come back to show up on time and fix it properly. Too many risks for me. And ... FROM all this, that's taking your day waiting around from someone x2-3 who knows when to show up. I suppose if you're sitting around at home, it's fine. But, my time is worth more than that. Morral to the story? Just buy whatever you want, there is always going to be the lemmon appliance that breaks down from any company. I guess luck is with me, so far! You do have all your appliances on surge protection right? We unplug our washer when it's not in use, since helco power bumps or lightning strikes are half the problem of people complaining about the appliance, esp, with all the computer boards in them.
Lastly, I've lived in plenty houses with dishwashers, after bending down to unload and unload, I'd rather my back be straight and handwash them, to let dry on a dish rack. Saves money and my back. Plus I found trying to load it... and unloading it took more time than just friggen doing the dishes! Dunno, I guess it's just me!
Good luck with getting your appliance fixed.
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quote:
Originally posted by knieft
TThere is a small, but growing, part of my brain that wants to chuck it all (six acres of orchard that needs more time an energy than I give it) and move somewhere to a "condo by a Costco"
Hahaha! Wait a few more years when you get older. I've been thinking about this option a lot more myself! No lawns, no ants, no albesia (neighbors lot)... No cane grass, no this or that.... Just get me a moped!  Would I miss my mower? Weed eater? Hmmmmm... Who wants to buy some land in puna?
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Since Smith's opened we have always gotten their higher end appliances .
There is the 100$ model and the 150$ model.
They deliver for free and take the old one back - all free.
The washer has lasted 17 years and works like a charm still.
Dish washing done with elbow grease so no computer boards or HELCO surges.
We try at all costs to keep our $ local and since Smiths recycles and refurbishes all their appliances from condos - hotels - and others homes all works well for us.
They also have all the parts needed just in case.
Just a Gem of a local store right in Hilo .
The big box outlets do not care about you,just their bottom line from Corporate. This is an island in the middle of a big blue pond.It is end of the line and lemons are where they send them,especially Sears.
Just our perspective.
Recycle - Reuse.
Keep our kala local
Mrs.Mimosa
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We bought all our appliances (our house had no appliances except stove when we bought it) from Home Depot except for the dishwasher.
Home Depot was great. The washer they delivered had a big dent in it and after making a call they setup to have a replacement delivered and let us keep the dented one until it came in so we wouldn't be inconvenienced. There was some drama hooking up the dryer vent but the delivery people worked on it for about an hour until they got it right.
About 2 years later the on/off switch for the dryer quit working (which is crazy because we line dry our clothes and almost never use the dryer). Setting up the repair through extended warranty was easy (all online) and a few days later the repair guy showed up, he had the part in his van, swapped it out, and we were back in business. The entire control panel had to be replaced for the on/off switch and the part alone cost way more than what we paid for the extended warranty.
The ONLY reason we went to Lowes for the dishwasher was because nobody on island stocked the type of DW we wanted and Lowe's online ordering was painless and the price was better than HD. Though in retrospect, of course we regret it. Because we milk goats, can food, etc having a DW to help deal with all the jars and equipment etc was a blessing. Going 5 weeks without it, it's hard to remember how much time we used to clean that stuff by hand until the DW is gone.
"but, man o man, you seem to have bad luck with retailers of all kind". People who know me joke about how I attract luck in this manner (all of it bad). Maintaining a sense of humor and venting online are key elements that help keep me nearly sane.
Nearly.
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Our house came with a d/w. Used it twice last two years.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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Terracore and I for sure need the dishwasher. I do a lot of baking, cooking, and canning. When I was handwashing it was taking up a decent portion of my day. lol I'm trying to can a large batch of stuff right now and its taking me forever to wash and sanitize the jars and all the equipment by hand.
I really just want my dishwasher to freaking work again like we paid for it to do.
Dayna
www.E-Z-Caps.com
Dayna Robertson
At Home Hawaii
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
RS-85517
Dayna.JustListedInHawaii.com
Dayna.Robertson@gmail.com
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2 months and 2 days.
9 weeks.
0.17 of a year.
^^ That's how long Lowes took to affect repair of our dishwasher under warranty. Every time I think of Lowes I feel violated. Dirty. But at least the dishes are clean.
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We just had to replace a washing machine at our cottage. Your experience steered me away from Lowes. However, Home Depot has it's own problems. Do not, and I repeat, do NOT try to do business with them over the phone. It takes a half hour on hold just to talk to someone who will then redirect your call to appliances, who will then take up to a half hour to answer. Every time you call, same thing. In person, they are very good. The first washer was a cheap Admiral. It lasted three years, which I suppose isn't good, but for the price, I guess it was ok, but my experience with appliances is usually much better. Here's hoping the replacement (a Samsung) will be better. We've had a Samsung on the mainland for quite a while.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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True that. The reason we didn't buy the dishwasher from HD was because we couldn't get ahold of anybody on the phone at HD to order it for us. The Lowes ordering process was easy 100% online. They make extracting one's money a very pleasant experience and then immediately start scheming ways to make one's life as unpleasant as possible.
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