Buying appliances online?

[babinni]

I broke down and ordered the Kitchenaid wall oven/micro (KEM308SS?) & Viking 36" cooktop from a local store - Quans -yesterday (after yet another night of researching online). More on that experience at the end of this post.

Now in my online research....I checked out the Orville and Rosas store sites (both stores in Buffalo) and AJ madison, but costs were not that attractive compared to what you can get from Cdn sources (could have been the products I was after...)

I would encourage anyone that is comparing US prices or online pricing that they actually get a quote from a local store before heading out online. MSRP is not a realistic benchmark. And some brands hold tighter to the MSRP than others. Definitely paying MSRP in Canada is not necessary. A couple of questions at the big guys (Tasco Quans etc) gets you a much better price. (almost $1000 on my 2 items).

It appears after shipping, taxes etc, true landed cost as a rule was about 40-50% higher than stated US costs. I have included the links to the calculations below. the ebay one is particularly insightful
http://www.myborderpro.com/2006/

All in all, it seemed there wasn't much $ savings on the Viking cooktop in the US, but the the KAid wall oven -whoa...! it was being sold for around $1800 on ebay- problem was no paypal protection and a poss dodgey seller...too much risk. Others were $2200-2900 but once I added in other fees it was much closer to Cdn pricing. But even Cdn pricing was below $4200+ MSRP.

If I had more time I would still be trying online..and if there was an easy way to transport this large item across the border in my vehicle would have gone to Buffalo.

I think I am going to order from US on smaller /less important items like the hood liner; my little US experiment. The cost difference seem significant there.

I found a couple of websites that helped calculate the border charges, from scouring this site and others.

This one has lots of info about cross border shopping -and a list of outlet stores too as a bonus
http://betterdollar.com/

helps calculate taxes and shipping etc
http://www.aacb.com/tools/dutytax.asp


All in all I would like to support Canadian trade but not if it means it costs me money. But if you look into the duty, PST& GST, clearance costs etc, and the difference is negligible...then its just not worth it .

*As for my local buying, there were a few surprises, (I'm sure it belongs somewhere else on this site, so I guess I should appropriately post it there )......
Quan's doesn't accept VISA! after the 10% deposit.
I was told at the end of the order that it is COD, certified cheque or money order and if I wanted to pay on Visa, it would cost 2% more! because of Visa's fees. (!) -which I think Visa frowns on to say the least.

Trying to get the Visa points, and avoid a bank hassle and money order /Cert cheque charges, I offered to pay in full in advance on Visa, and they wouldn't accept it (can't do more than 10 % deposit).

Resigned to lose my points, and now down to just bank avoidance, I offered debit card payment. Not acceptable. Geez! I felt like I was inconveniencing them by trying to give them my money!

I thought that maybe it was because I was quoted too low a price and this was a last ditch effort by them to keep an acceptable margin, but not the case. It is stated right on the contract.

So 2 things if you deal with Quans, : you are expected to have uncomitted thousands $$ hanging around in your bank account just before your new house closes. And you need to go to the bank and pay for a money order. *

Needless to say I was a little surprised- and If I had known in advance would have probably just ordered online - shopsmartbuy.ca ...where it was $50 cheaper on the oven and free delivery!

I will update if I have luck on the online experience for the next appliances.

[joejack]

I appreciate your insight.

I also agree that by time you add up all the cost, the price on most appliance is the same or close to US. However, there are those odd things, in my case the ge monogram oven and cooktop which are quite a bit difference.

Thanks for the warning on Quan's not VISA friendly policy. My brother in law bought his appliance there and has been happy and never menioned that, uhm. My (future) neighbour bought all of her appliances from shopsmartbuy and is extremly happy with price and service. They don't carry any off the appliances on my list, too bad for them, I have only heard good things about them even on other RFD thread, something about good deals on tv.

I have visited Quan's, Tasco, brick,ppliance canada aand sears and was impress with Tasco. Quan's was only interested in doing business, not in informing me what is available. They just wanted model numbers so they can sell those to me.

A friend of ours e-mail tasco and quans and got writen quotes from each place and showed it in person to negtiate bottom price from tasco.

Anyways, keep us posted of your post sale experience with these guys.

Also, curiouse, what range hood fan did you get? How many cfm's Is your wall oven double or single?

Thanks.

[babinni]

haven't bought the hood liner yet.
I am limited to just over a 13" deep cut out - there are few models. trying to service a 6 burner c/top...that is about 60,000+ BTUS-
(apparently rule of thumb is one CFM to every 100 BTUs, so I should be looking for 600 +CFM)
however when I talked to the salesperson they said I don't need that much (its not like you will have all the burners on at one time, and full out too).

open to most anything that will fit- looking at Best By Broan, (quiet but costly) Faber inca, Zephyr, and I saw an Airmac one at Tasco that I liked the look of, but can't find any info on them anywhere.

Frankly I can't believe moving air is so expensive. I don't see the value.

re oven: Got a KA oven/microwave combo. I went with esthetics over Consumer reports ratings. I diidn't need or want 2 "real" ovens, but definitely and oven and micro..KA was the only one that looked half decent -the rest had trim kits like they were an afterthought, And the KA matches my fridge handles.

[dealhuntercanada]

Just to let everyone know,

Smartbuy May not list every appliance they carry, all you have to do is send and email to Quotes@shopsmartbuy.ca or sales@shopsmartbuy.ca and they will be able to quote you on your specific needs,

This is why shopsmartbuy.ca is the best appliance online store in Canada

Free Delivery on orders over $499.99 to most places Canada wide
2 Yr Cornerstone United back in home warranty
Not to mention in most cases better than US pricing.

I work for Smartbuy, but I can tell you from the inside, the only reason to buy your appliances elsewhere or even trouble yourself with crossing the border,

We do everything for you, import inspect, insure that each appliance is UL/C or CSA, supply the proper Canadian Plug (for ranges & Dryers).
Add a Canadian 2 Yr warranty

and deliver it for FREE.


Help us help you

[joejack]

Ok dealhuntercanada, based on your comments, I decided to call Smartbuy. Spoke to a guy name Ian (I think) and gave him the model number of 6 appliances and asked for price. He said he will have to get back to me as two items (the monogram stuff) he may not be able to get. Fair enough. Later that evening he called and said he can't get the GE Monogram stuff but he can get the the other 4 items and will call me back with prices for those tomorrow.

It has now been two weeks and have not heard from him. So much for customer services before sale. I wonder what the service is going to be like after sales Just based on my experience so far with your company, I don't think I would do business with your company or suggest anyone to do the same.

Just to let everyone know,

Smartbuy May not list every appliance they carry, all you have to do is send and email to Quotes@shopsmartbuy.ca or sales@shopsmartbuy.ca and they will be able to quote you on your specific needs,

This is why shopsmartbuy.ca is the best appliance online store in Canada

Free Delivery on orders over $499.99 to most places Canada wide
2 Yr Cornerstone United back in home warranty
Not to mention in most cases better than US pricing.

I work for Smartbuy, but I can tell you from the inside, the only reason to buy your appliances elsewhere or even trouble yourself with crossing the border,

We do everything for you, import inspect, insure that each appliance is UL/C or CSA, supply the proper Canadian Plug (for ranges & Dryers).
Add a Canadian 2 Yr warranty

and deliver it for FREE.


Help us help you

[dealhuntercanada]

I checked with Ian, and as per SmartBuys Customer Policy, He opened a Ticket for your request and emailed you a quotation in writing, You may want to check your spam or junk mail as I have seen the quotation in our CRM system.

If you do not have a copy of the quotation, please contact us an we will be happy to resend it.

I do appologize, on behalf of Smartbuy.

[SMITHH]

Hello everybody!
I was looking for a range hood for a long time, and 6 months ago found www.kitchenhoods.ca (located in VANCOUVER) with the best prices ever!!
All hoods are CSA approved and have one year warranty.
I've got a 36 stainless steel glass island type "Spagna Vetro" for 1/3 price!!That was a bargain! The hood is still in great shape and works perfect!!
So.. my experience with the online shopping - very good!!
Good luck to everyone -I think the online shopping is the future- they save on rent and salaries and can offer better prices!!
Cheers!!!

[L_Mo]

according to a source, both of these web sites are the same place, (appliancewarehousedirect.com and canadaappliances.com...with no real store...just a unit number somewhere.
On AWD site it says they are in Scarborough but if you probe further, it states they are at Wilson Ave in West end and mississauga...who knows.

They import US product to sell here so costs are low. But manufacturers apparently are not onside.

I spoke with a salesperson at competitor -he says beware of CSA and warranty validity- apparently kitchenaid microwave (maybe all) has diff specs in Cda...and no warrantly
However I did point out that they offer 2 yr warranty from independent 3rd party but he countered that it only applies "if they are still in business".

According to him, there are a number of lawsuits against them from manufacturers.

Too bad. I was getting excited about their prices. Too good to be true...

[effie]

Whatever you do, do NOT shop at Billy's Appliances on Richmond Road (Ottawa) - they're the nastiest people I've ever dealt with, and they sold me a defective stove. I ended up losing a lot of time & money to this store.

[Pseudo Nim]

Bringing this thread back from the dead (wow... 2.5 years later, heh). Just wondering if anyone ended up buying from http://www.canadianappliance.ca/ and how it was. They have a Whirlpool Duet set for pretty much the same price as in the US (i.e. ~30% lower than Canada), and to boot, I don't have to drive anywhere and/or deal with customs. But after reading this thread, I am mildly concerned.

Also, are there any other places to shop from online? I really don't want to go to a brick & mortar store, as not only do they rarely have good prices, but far worse is that their models are never what I am looking for (I clearly want the latest one, but they always try to push old stock).

[Nicky911]

Bringing this thread back from the dead (wow... 2.5 years later, heh). Just wondering if anyone ended up buying from http://www.canadianappliance.ca/ and how it was. They have a Whirlpool Duet set for pretty much the same price as in the US (i.e. ~30% lower than Canada), and to boot, I don't have to drive anywhere and/or deal with customs. But after reading this thread, I am mildly concerned.

Also, are there any other places to shop from online? I really don't want to go to a brick & mortar store, as not only do they rarely have good prices, but far worse is that their models are never what I am looking for (I clearly want the latest one, but they always try to push old stock).

aNYONE? Cross border deals that deliver to canada or anywhere in canada that ships with great deals?

[ozymandias]

If you know the exact brand of appliances that you are looking for, then go to various stores (or call/email) and get the lowest prices (written). Their website may not have discounted prices - we were able to get 25%-30% off almost all brands that we bought just by asking, but none of discounted prices were advertised anywhere and definitely not online. We got the lowest written price matched by one of the bigger stores.

[webbgeorge]

I'm a huge fun of buying stuff online but never if it comes to appliances and delicate stuff. For buying appliances, I check the physical aspect before I jump off and buy that item. This is same when I buy clothes. It's very different when you just look the items on the web rather than the real thing.