When you walk into an appliance store today, it’s helpful if
you’ve already been shopping online. While salespeople carry a catalog of
knowledge in their head about the many brands on the showroom floor, it can be overwhelming
to hear it all at once.
If you’ve already done some research, you’ll walk in knowing
what you’re looking for, the comparative features that are most important to
you, and what you can afford.
Here are some things to consider when shopping online for
appliances:
Before you start shopping, determine your wants and needs.
What are your colour preferences? What are the dimensions of the available
space? What functions and features do you need?
You may still want to start with a quick trip to a local
retailer where you can see all the brands in one spot, compare features and
prices, and get a true picture in your mind when you go back to the internet.
Next, look at some retailer websites, which can tell you the
marketplace price right in your neighbourhood. You can start comparing the
services and qualities of one store to the other.
As you narrow down the products and brands you’re most
interested in, start searching for product reviews. Begin with third-party
product testing sites like Good
Housekeeping, Consumer
Reports (subscription required), or JD Power.
You’ll also find plenty of independent customer reviews
online, which you definitely need to take with a grain of salt. Sometimes
people are paid to review a product. Other times, a negative review is more a
result of bad customer service than an actual problem with the appliance.
People only tend to write a negative review when they have a
very bad experience, and a good review if they’ve had a really awesome
experience. People who are just happy and satisfied don’t usually share their
thoughts. The reviews you see are only a very small percentage of the total
number of units sold.
If you know you want a specific brand, then go to
manufacturer’s sites to simplify your options, see more reviews, and find out
about any manufacturer promotions.
The last online search you’ll want to do is for after-warranty
service and non-warranty service for the product you have in mind. How hard
will it be to get parts or find an authorized service centre for your purchase?
Buying appliances is the third biggest expense in your life after
a house and car, and could be with you for 15-20 years. We certainly want you
to be happy with your purchase. Use these tips to narrow down your options, and
then let us help you find the best appliance to suit your needs.