Ever bought appliances from the US?

[laptop-tech]

Ok folks. Im no sure where to post this so I thought it would be ok in the shopping discussion.

Im buying some appliances and the price for the items I want are simply ridiculous in Canada.

For example, the wall oven:

$4399.99 at Sears (http://www.sears.ca/product/bosch-30-self-cleaning-convection-double-wall-oven-br223-625-106/223625106)

and @2414.99 at an american retailer with free shipping within the US (http://www.number1appliance.com/hbl5650uc.aspx)

I called/visited all major players in the GTA (Goemans, Tasco, CA, etc)...lowest I could find here is around $3799.00


Anyone here done that? Bought in the US and brought it over?

Thanks.

[CSK'sMom]

Yep, both a range and an OTR micro. Payed taxes due at the border and were on our way. The only concern you might have is warranty as some companies won't honor the warranty if imported into Canada. You'll have to weight that issue for yourself and see if it applies...

[laptop-tech]

Thanks CSK.

The warranty issue is a consideration, but given the difference in prices Im tempted to take a chance. The oven the wife really wants is the next model up, which Sears sells for only $5200.00, while the dealer in the US offered me for $2729.00.... almost HALF the price.

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure. The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.

Anyone else experienced this?

[tsatsa]

Be very careful buying big items from US, if something goes wrong you are out of luck, the "Warranty" is the problem.

[jurassicjockey]

You're not totally without warranty. You can always take the item back to the US if it's worth it. I would probably only do that for something catastrophic where the whole item needs to be replaced. Otherwise I would bite the bullet and have it repaired myself, possibly with parts supplied under warranty. You can pay for a couple of service calls for $2G and still come out ahead. With regards to the wiring, I would be surprised if there was any difference.

[bylo]

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure.
Here's some of the warranty verbiage for our Bosch dishwasher that was purchased in Canada [my bold]:
What this Warranty Covers & Who it Applies to: The limited warranty provided BSH Home Appliances (“Bosch”) in this Statement of Limited Product Warranty applies only to Bosch dishwashers (“Product”) sold to you, the first using purchaser, provided that the Product was purchased: (1) for your normal, household (non-commercial) use, and has in fact at all times only been used for normal household purposes; (2) new at retail (not a display, “as is”, or previously returned model), and not for resale, or commercial use; and (3) within the United States or Canada, and has at all times remained within the country of original purchase.
The same clause appears in the warranty for our Bosch clothes washer and dryer.


The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.Electrical codes are different, especially with respect to 220V high current appliances like a stove or clothes dryer. As a result there are some differences between the same model that's sold in Canada and the US. If you're going to buy a US model at least have a licensed electrician do/check the wiring. Otherwise, if there's a fire or other accident your insurance company may have grounds (no pun intended) to deny your claim.

Added: You can find owner's manuals, installation manuals, warranty terms, etc. in PDF form on Bosch's websites in Canada and the US. (That's where I got the warranty wording above.) You might want to review the warranty, and especially installation instructions, for the model(s) you're interested in before you buy. Same generally applies to other appliance manufacturers.

[akyyyy]

OP

any luck in getting the wall oven from the USA. im in the same situation and thinking of purchasing from USA as well.

is electrical actually different in USA over Canada?

if anyone else has an opinion on this please advise.

also thinking of getting washer/dryer, in wall oven, cooktop, dishwasher.

pretty much need all new appliances.

[bylo]

is electrical actually different in USA over Canada?Yes for anything but standard 120VAC/15A. Wall ovens, cooktops, ranges and electric clothes dryers all need 240VAC at high current. There are differences in the wiring and connectors used as well as electric code requirements. You should definitely locate the relevant installation manuals on the Internet for any such appliances before you buy them and make sure you understand the differences. It's possible that an appliance intended for sale in the US will come with slightly different wiring than one for Canada. (Some makers may provide a more universal hookup.) You should also make sure that your existing kitchen 240VAC circuit has a high enough current capacity to handle your wall oven and cooktop. Some high-end models draw more than the usual rating (40A IIRC.)

Also make sure the appliance is CSA approved and can be imported into Canada. This isn't a problem with name brands but if you buy some obscure European high-end brand in the US you may have trouble getting it into Canada. (I'm not 100% sure on this last point but you should be before you show up at the border with a truck full of appliances ;))

[akyyyy]

I only plan on purchasing north American brands, whirlpool etc. Should these be a prob in Canada. Also these will be going into a new house that's being constructed right now. Cooktop will be gas.

Can you see any major problems I will run into if I go with NA brands, and install into a new house. a 220v connection is provided in the kitchen.

Also, do I just purchase and drive up to the boarder? Should I have any paperwork prepared besides receipt?

[bylo]

Can you see any major problems I will run into if I go with NA brands, and install into a new house. a 220v connection is provided in the kitchen. Probably not, but I would download the installation manuals and look for any Canada-specific wiring instructions. Better to be safe than sorry. Since this is new construction I'd also discuss this with the electrician because he's the one who has to get the final wiring inspected.


Also, do I just purchase and drive up to the boarder? Should I have any paperwork prepared besides receipt?Dunno. Never done it. My guess would be just the receipt.

[akyyyy]

Probably not, but I would download the installation manuals and look for any Canada-specific wiring instructions. Better to be safe than sorry. Since this is new construction I'd also discuss this with the electrician because he's the one who has to get the final wiring inspected.

Dunno. Never done it. My guess would be just the receipt.

K thx for the help. Would the manual have Canada specific instructions, since there would be a similar model but for Canada. I'll check it out though.

Anyone else know what I'd take to bring these to the boarder. Just drve up or do I need to do anything specific. ??

[freeisnice]

I used to work for sears and remember that they will not repair anything that is not brought in Canada ,even if it a Kenmore brand( that is in warranty).But then this is what a CSR is supposed to say,What a tech says might be a diiferent version ( if you can get the tech over).

[akyyyy]

anyone recommend any retailers in the US that are cheap for appliances?

Bestbuy any good, in relation to prices?

[fdiddy]

The electrical thing is a non issue. The only possible discrepancy could be that they use slightly different connectors in the US, but though I've never worked there, I highly doubt it. If that were the case, your electrician would replace the connector for less than $20. The problem that you might have is that I do not think that an appliance meant for US market would be CSA approved. This is against Canadian building law, but as long as your electrician gets the final inspection before the appliances are installed, nobody will call you on it. Conversely, if you were really concerned about this point, you could get your appliance inspected and CSA approved for a few hundred dollars.

I'm an electrician, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the wiring will not be different, there is no more possibility of fire hazards etc. than there would be with the equivalent Canadian model.

[akyyyy]

The electrical thing is a non issue. The only possible discrepancy could be that they use slightly different connectors in the US, but though I've never worked there, I highly doubt it. If that were the case, your electrician would replace the connector for less than $20. The problem that you might have is that I do not think that an appliance meant for US market would be CSA approved. This is against Canadian building law, but as long as your electrician gets the final inspection before the appliances are installed, nobody will call you on it. Conversely, if you were really concerned about this point, you could get your appliance inspected and CSA approved for a few hundred dollars.

I'm an electrician, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the wiring will not be different, there is no more possibility of fire hazards etc. than there would be with the equivalent Canadian model.

thanks for the info. how can i tell if the connector is the same or diff. can i post the links to the manuals for the washer/dryer and perhaps you can let me know?

washer
http://www.abt.com/images/products/PDF_Files/wfw9750rd_manual.pdf
dryer
http://www.abt.com/images/products/PDF_Files/wed9750rd_manual.pdf

[bylo]

The electrical thing is a non issue. The only possible discrepancy could be that they use slightly different connectors in the US, but though I've never worked there, I highly doubt it. If that were the case, your electrician would replace the connector for less than $20.Good luck getting an electrician who isn't a friend or relative to do anything for $20, never mind including parts. In any case from my Bosch clothes dryer installation manual:

http://i43.tinypic.com/5zjtah.jpg

There are similar comments in the installation manual for my range, which happens to be made in Cambridge Ontario even though it's sold in both countries.


The problem that you might have is that I do not think that an appliance meant for US market would be CSA approved. This is against Canadian building law, but as long as your electrician gets the final inspection before the appliances are installed, nobody will call you on it. Conversely, if you were really concerned about this point, you could get your appliance inspected and CSA approved for a few hundred dollars.As for CSA, they charge a lot more than a few $100s to test an appliance. I once went through CSA certification for a much smaller and simpler device. It cost quite a bit more and took months to happen. Maybe they've simplified the process in recent years, but I doubt it.

As for "nobody will call you on it", if there's a fire, especially near the appliance, your insurer may well determine that the appliance wasn't CSA listed and deny payment on that basis. The more severe the fire damage the more likely the insurer will look for any angle to avoid paying you.

[CSK'sMom]

As for "nobody will call you on it", if there's a fire, especially near the appliance, your insurer may well determine that the appliance wasn't CSA listed and deny payment on that basis. The more severe the fire damage the more likely the insurer will look for any angle to avoid paying you.

We talked to our insurance company about this. Their stance was that it isn't an issue for them. As they said to us, in reality there is a lot of stuff on the market in Canada that is not CSA certified. Pick up just about anything electrical in a dollar store and chances are that it isn't actually CSA certified or the certification on it is bogus. We've always had "stuff" from the US, anything from several tv's over the years to small kitchen appliances to now a range and OTR microwave....

akyyyy, Lowes and HD are supposedly the largest appliance retailers in the US. If they have what you're looking for use their pricematch if they aren't the cheapest. In my case, HD was the cheapest and seem to be consistently a few dollars cheaper than Lowes. BB wasn't even the same ballpark when we bought...

[akyyyy]

We talked to our insurance company about this. Their stance was that it isn't an issue for them. As they said to us, in reality there is a lot of stuff on the market in Canada that is not CSA certified. Pick up just about anything electrical in a dollar store and chances are that it isn't actually CSA certified or the certification on it is bogus. We've always had "stuff" from the US, anything from several tv's over the years to small kitchen appliances to now a range and OTR microwave....

akyyyy, Lowes and HD are supposedly the largest appliance retailers in the US. If they have what you're looking for use their pricematch if they aren't the cheapest. In my case, HD was the cheapest and seem to be consistently a few dollars cheaper than Lowes. BB wasn't even the same ballpark when we bought...

still dont know if american range/washer/dryer will work in Canada. How the heck can i find out with some many conflicting answers. even a Google search came up empty.

if connectors are same, can i assume it should work?

there's nothing in the manual for "Canadians" so not sure where to really check, maybe ill have to ask an electrician.

[akyyyy]

these are the electrical requirements for one of the appliances im looking to purchase.

Clothes Dryer, page 6 has a diagram of the outlet (there's a 3 and 4 prong ol)
http://www.whirlpool.com/assets/pdfs/product/ZINSTALL/WED9750WW_Installation%20Instruction_EN.pdf

And this is for the Washer.


A 120 volt, 60 Hz., AC only, 15- or 20-amp, fused electrical
supply is required. A time-delay fuse or circuit breaker is
recommended. It is recommended that a separate circuit
serving only this appliance be provided.
■ This washer is equipped with a power supply cord having ������
a 3 prong grounding plug.
■ To minimize possible shock hazard, the cord must be ������
plugged into a mating, grounded 3 prong outlet, grounded ������
in accordance with local codes and ordinances. If a mating ������
outlet is not available, it is the personal responsibility and
obligation of the customer to have the properly grounded ������
outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
■ If codes permit and a separate ground wire is used, it is
recommended that a qualified electrician determine that the
ground path is adequate.

any electricians call tell me if this is the standard in Canada?

[akyyyy]

after making a few phone calls to the USA home depot and whirlpool, it appears that the (dryer for example) appliances dont come with the power cord, you will need to purchase it separately. this is for USA only.

the ones in Canada come with a 4 pronged outlet, a cord that would be plugged into a standard 14-30R wall receptacle.

since you will need to purchase the cord separately you can choose this 4 pronged outlet for the USA models.


Then choose a 4-wire power supply cord
with ring or spade terminals and UL listed strain relief. The 4-wire power supply cord, at least 4 ft (1.22 m) long, must have four 10-gauge copper wires and match a 4-wire receptacle of NEMA Type 14-30R. The ground wire (ground conductor) may be either green or bare.
The neutral conductor must be identified
by a white cover.


So it looks like it should work, anyone have any opinions? Only thing is the warranty and the CSA approval.

[akyyyy]

these are the electrical requirements for one of the appliances im looking to purchase.

Clothes Dryer, page 6 has a diagram of the outlet (there's a 3 and 4 prong ol)
http://www.whirlpool.com/assets/pdfs/product/ZINSTALL/WED9750WW_Installation%20Instruction_EN.pdf

And this is for the Washer.



any electricians call tell me if this is the standard in Canada?


And this is the info from the Canadian manual


■To be sure that the electrical connection is adequate and in conformance with the Canadian Electrical Code, C22.1-latest edition and all local codes. A copy of the above codes standard may be obtained from: Canadian Standards Association, 178 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto, ON M9W 1R3 CANADA.
■To supply the required 4 wire, single phase, 120/240 volt,
60 Hz., AC only electrical supply on a separate 30-amp circuit, fused on both sides of the line. A time-delay fuse or circuit breaker is recommended. Connect to an individual branch circuit.
■This dryer is equipped with a CSA International Certified Power Cord intended to be plugged into a standard 14-30R wall receptacle. The cord is 5 ft (1.52 m) in length. Be sure wall receptacle is within reach of dryer’s final location.
4-wire

so is this the same as the USA requirements


A 120 volt, 60 Hz., AC only, 15- or 20-amp, fused electrical
supply is required. A time-delay fuse or circuit breaker is
recommended. It is recommended that a separate circuit
serving only this appliance be provided.
■ This washer is equipped with a power supply cord having ��
a 3 prong grounding plug.
■ To minimize possible shock hazard, the cord must be ��
plugged into a mating, grounded 3 prong outlet, grounded ��
in accordance with local codes and ordinances. If a mating ��
outlet is not available, it is the personal responsibility and
obligation of the customer to have the properly grounded ��
outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
■ If codes permit and a separate ground wire is used, it is
recommended that a qualified electrician determine that the
ground path is adequate.

[pinkcar]

Here's some of the warranty verbiage for our Bosch dishwasher that was purchased in Canada [my bold]:
The same clause appears in the warranty for our Bosch clothes washer and dryer.

Electrical codes are different, especially with respect to 220V high current appliances like a stove or clothes dryer. As a result there are some differences between the same model that's sold in Canada and the US. If you're going to buy a US model at least have a licensed electrician do/check the wiring. Otherwise, if there's a fire or other accident your insurance company may have grounds (no pun intended) to deny your claim.

Added: You can find owner's manuals, installation manuals, warranty terms, etc. in PDF form on Bosch's websites in Canada and the US. (That's where I got the warranty wording above.) You might want to review the warranty, and especially installation instructions, for the model(s) you're interested in before you buy. Same generally applies to other appliance manufacturers.

How are the electrical codes different?

They are not - they are virtually the same.

[fdiddy]

The washer will absolutely be the same. All washing machines use the standard 120V connector that any lamp etc. uses. They are low power devices, just a small motor spinning. The dryer is the one with the high power requirements. Both things that bylo and akyyy posted seem to show the dryers coming with nothing but whips that an electrician will need to add a male end to, so you're in the clear. Your new house will undoubtedly have a 4 prong outlet, and your electrician can install the connector accordingly.

bylo, I agree that you would never get an electrician to make a service call for $20. If he is wiring your house though, he will most likely attach a connector to a dryer lead for you for free, and if he does bother to charge you an extra for the site instruction, it wouldn't be more than a few dollars.

[voodoomusic]

Little bit of misinformation in here about the electrical stuff.

The connectors, cords, etc. will not be different. We use the same types as in the USA.

Sometimes, however, the electrical standards to which products are tested and evaluated may be different in Canada vs. the USA. This might have to do with something like extra cold-weather testing here, or something of that nature. It depends on the product. For most common appliances the standards are harmonized.

CSA no longer has a monopoly over electrical product certification in Canada, and hasn't for many years. There are over a dozen certification bodies that can certify products, although the three largest (CSA, Underwriters' Laboratories, and Intertek Testing Services (ETL)) have about 90% of the market. You can see a list of approved certification marks here:

http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/epa_002B.php?s=19

When manufacturers have their products certified they are asked which countries they want. A major manufacturer like a Whirlpool, Bosch etc. will generally get both Canadian and American certifications, particularly if the standards are harmonized. You will see a mark like this:

cULus

Where the lowercase c at the 8 o'clock position denotes that the product meets Canadian standards, and the lowercase us at the 4 o'clock position denotes that it meets American standards. As you'll see from the link above, there are a number of different marks but the "c" at the 8 o'clock position is the common element, and the way that you can tell for sure.

If not, or if for whatever reason they decide to make different models for the Canadian vs. American markets, the appliances destined for the USA may only carry American certification. Such products are not legal for Canadian use as they have not been evaluated to the Canadian standard (which is not to say that they wouldn't pass, but we don't know).

Realistically, nobody is going to arrest you for doing this. HOWEVER, there have been cases where products have been brought across the border and installed in Canada, have failed and burned down a house (usually because of improper installation, not because they were intrinsically unsafe), and the homeowner's insurance company has refused to cover the damage because the product was unapproved.

Cliffs: If you buy an electrical product in the USA you should make sure it's certified to Canadian standards, otherwise you are taking a risk.

Hope this helps.

[akyyyy]

The washer will absolutely be the same. All washing machines use the standard 120V connector that any lamp etc. uses. They are low power devices, just a small motor spinning. The dryer is the one with the high power requirements. Both things that bylo and akyyy posted seem to show the dryers coming with nothing but whips that an electrician will need to add a male end to, so you're in the clear. Your new house will undoubtedly have a 4 prong outlet, and your electrician can install the connector accordingly.

bylo, I agree that you would never get an electrician to make a service call for $20. If he is wiring your house though, he will most likely attach a connector to a dryer lead for you for free, and if he does bother to charge you an extra for the site instruction, it wouldn't be more than a few dollars.

Thx for clearng this up. So the only thing I need the electrician to do is add the 4 pronged cord, anything on the house itself?

Is this the same for the range/Cooktop/wall oven?

Also will need a dshwasher but think this is standard, small motor, as you have mentioned.

[akyyyy]

So this is what I would look for
http://www.digiwavetechnologies.com/images/pagemaster/CULUS.jpg


Little bit of misinformation in here about the electrical stuff.

The connectors, cords, etc. will not be different. We use the same types as in the USA.

Sometimes, however, the electrical standards to which products are tested and evaluated may be different in Canada vs. the USA. This might have to do with something like extra cold-weather testing here, or something of that nature. It depends on the product. For most common appliances the standards are harmonized.

CSA no longer has a monopoly over electrical product certification in Canada, and hasn't for many years. There are over a dozen certification bodies that can certify products, although the three largest (CSA, Underwriters' Laboratories, and Intertek Testing Services (ETL)) have about 90% of the market. You can see a list of approved certification marks here:

http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/epa_002B.php?s=19

When manufacturers have their products certified they are asked which countries they want. A major manufacturer like a Whirlpool, Bosch etc. will generally get both Canadian and American certifications, particularly if the standards are harmonized. You will see a mark like this:

cULus

Where the lowercase c at the 8 o'clock position denotes that the product meets Canadian standards, and the lowercase us at the 4 o'clock position denotes that it meets American standards. As you'll see from the link above, there are a number of different marks but the "c" at the 8 o'clock position is the common element, and the way that you can tell for sure.

If not, or if for whatever reason they decide to make different models for the Canadian vs. American markets, the appliances destined for the USA may only carry American certification. Such products are not legal for Canadian use as they have not been evaluated to the Canadian standard (which is not to say that they wouldn't pass, but we don't know).

Realistically, nobody is going to arrest you for doing this. HOWEVER, there have been cases where products have been brought across the border and installed in Canada, have failed and burned down a house (usually because of improper installation, not because they were intrinsically unsafe), and the homeowner's insurance company has refused to cover the damage because the product was unapproved.

Cliffs: If you buy an electrical product in the USA you should make sure it's certified to Canadian standards, otherwise you are taking a risk.

Hope this helps.

[bylo]

Is this the same for the range/Cooktop/wall oven?
As I said upthread, these are high current appliances. An electric range typically needs 40A or 50A service at 240VAC. It uses a special plug, similar to an electric clothes dryer.

(Gas appliances obviously use primarily gas but also require standard 120VAC/15A to power the electronic controls and such.)


So this is what I would look for http://www.digiwavetechnologies.com/...ster/CULUS.jpgYes.


Realistically, nobody is going to arrest you for doing this. HOWEVER, there have been cases where ... the homeowner's insurance company has refused to cover the damage because the product was unapproved.Which is as I said. If you have any doubts, call your insurance agent/broker/CSR and ask them hypothetically if you were to buy a major household appliance in the US and import it into Canada, would your home coverage be compromised in any way. (Or locate a copy of your policy and read for yourself ;) )

[canabiz]

Did anyone purchase a range hood from the States and bring it back into Canada? I've been eyeing something at Lowe's USA and after tax and everything, we will save about $220 compared to the exact same model currently for sale at Sears. There is a Lowe's in upstate New York, about 45 minutes from where I live so if all goes well, we can pick one up and get back in no time...

I am planning to call KitchenAid and find out if the warranty is good in Canada. I don't expect anything major to go wrong with a range hood but it's good to know we are covered in some way, shape or form.

[c-ditty]

I was eying a gas range from Lowes in the US but was unsure of the rules regarding warranty in Canada. Spoke to a rep at Frigidaire and he said that as long as the range I bring over is CSA approved then they will honour the warranty in Canada even though it was bought in the US. His main concern is that no service tech in Canada would touch an appliance that is not CSA, for their own safety. Otherwise the warranty applies.

Of course I realize this rule changes between brands but it might be worth calling the different manufacturers and getting their policies.

[spensar]

I bought a Kitchenaid Fridge from the Lowes in Ogdensburg, NY. We wanted true counter depth, french door, white, and 36" wide. Not a lot of choices and the Canadian prices were crazy. We found a Kitchenaid model that fit the bill, but in Canada it was a special order from the local stores here. Kitchenaid is VERY tight with distribution and US stores were limited to delivery within 150 miles of their location. That ruled out the free shipping from outside of NY to the UPS store and avoiding the US state tax, and also a store that was about $70 cheaper, but it was still worth while.

The $$ breakdown was:

Best CDN price: $2,300 + 13% HST - $2,600 (this price was a one week special, and I only saw it once, but it was the lowest)

US Price - $1,409 + 7% NY state tax + 13% HST - $1,703 US, $1,716 CDN (I got this just before the big drop in the CDN dollar, exchange was .992)

U-Haul trailer and appliance cart rental - about $50. Rented a 9 foot trailer WITH a tailgate that swings down to make a ramp. The Lowes guys loaded it for me, I tied it down.

Gas for driving an hour each way is about a wash. I try to get there with pretty empty tank, and fill up at about $.10 a litre cheaper than here. 70 litre tank on the towing vehicle, so the savings cover the gas for the trip.

Bottom line, saved about $834 for half a days effort.

There was a US only rebate form for a $100 mail-in rebate from Kitchenaid in the fridge that I can't make use of, but shows how frigged over we are!

No problem at the border, only HST charged, but it is applied to the after tax US amount. Good tip from the border person, hold on to your tax paid receipt in case you need to bring it back for service, you can prove the tax was already paid or else you will get to pay twice.

I am just assuming believe Kitchenaid will not honour a US import. Over many years, I have required fridge repairs twice, and the weren't very expensive. With the savings, I am taking a calculated risk that I won't have any major problems. If there is a problem, I will pay for a repair person to check it out and let me know what the problem is. If it is major, then I will need to lug the fridge back to the US. This was also a consideration when buying from Lowes - I prefer dealing with a real store I can walk into if there is a problem.

There can be some big savings going to the US for some appliances, but it is a bit of a risk reward calculation. For a fridge or a stove, I personally don't think the risk is that high. I may be wrong but I would think there is a lot more that can go wrong with a fridge than a stove. Bosch is a top end brand, so it should be solid. For the savings you are looking at, I would go to the US.


Right now Sears is down to $3,799.99. Searching the model number on Nextag brought up a price of around $2000 or under from a few prices. If you ever had a problem that kind of price difference can pay for a lot of repairs if it is needed, or shipping to the US for warranty work.

[canabiz]

Thanks for the detailed post, spensar. I called KitchenAid.com customer service, got re-directed to Whirlpool and basically got told that the warranty for KitchenAid range hood is not transferable.

I have to take the CSR's word for it and considering we only potentially save $200, it may not be worth our while. I will keep an eye out for deals for Boxing Day and see how that goes.

But I agree with you, if the savings are $800+, it's a no-brainer.