| rev:text
| - For real estate, it's LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
For major appliances, it's MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE
For appliance payment, it's Giant Eagle GIFT CARD,
GIFT CARD, GIFT CARD
Don't overlook those barely noticable parts
when measuring for a new BIG appliance.
If you're in the market for a larger appliance, I'm going to give some sound advice---less than one-eighth of an inch worth---but one that may save you money, time, aggravation, inconvenience, unpleasant surprises, mangled woodwork, and maybe even an electrical fire (if you weaken and make a last minute decision to become an amateur electrician).
Bought a very nicely-appointed, well sale-priced refrigerator from Sears Outlet. EDDIE was my exceedingly helpful, knowlegeable, and friendly salesperson. (MARA---as of May 8, is in training, but has had previous sales experience, so I can recommend her, too.)
Must-Do-But-Not-So-Much-Fun Steps . . .
1. Using a tape measure, get precise dimensions
in your home. Measure widths and heights of any
door or open area---that might be of questionably
adequate size---that the new appliance must pass
through. (Also with doors removed---if it happens
that this might be a necessity. No...you don't have
to remove them to do this.)
2. Look for any possible delivery-day obstacle course,
such as furniture or lower hanging lighting that might
need to be removed or temporarily held back when
appliance is delivered.
3. Measure the appliance you are replacing PLUS the
space that your new appliance will fit into: heights,
widths, and depths.
4. Make a sketch of above with all these measurements.
(List is ok, but a rough sketch with accurate measure-
ments is better.)
5. Verify which stores offer gift cards at Giant Eagle.
Don't purchase any until you've found the appliance
you want. (Gift Cards cannot be returned.) Now
you're ready to go shopping!
6. Using a tape measure, get all extreme dimensions of
each new appliance you're interested in while refer-
ring to your sketch or list. And don't forget that back
panel---it might be flat/flush with the frame or be 2-3"
deep. Some may have something that's barely notice-
able, such as a few seemingly innocuous half inch
clips that tubing runs through. In a tight fit that can still
do damage---to the unit itself, and your home. By
measuring exactly, you'll be able to either quickly
eliminate or seriously consider. (Verify with sales-
person, but most hinged parts (like doors and freezer
tops) are removed---or can be---before delivery, so can
be excluded when measuring.) Because some stores'
delivery charges ($80-150+) are non-refundable,
accurate measuring is important.
FUN Steps . . .
7. Make your choice. Ask them to hold that order for
payment until you get Giant Eagle gift cards to
purchase. (They carry Sears. Check for others) Make
the purchase.
8. Fill up your gas tank at "Get Go" for less than 50 cents
per gallon! (Savings amount will depend---of course
---on your accumulated discount and "cents-off- gas"
specials they're offering at the time.)
It was at #6 where I could have ended up having a major headache, if not for
waking up the day after I ordered a refrigerator (not here---from a different store) and thought I'd better re-check dimensions on that new one.
Sure enough, I found a small 8" x 10" back plate near the bottom of the back panel that I had overlooked because it was low and shallow. It added nearly 1/2 inch more. That meant I'd have about a single hairs width on each side of a door that fridge had to fit through. I asked if that plate could be removed before delivery, since that would solve the already fairly tight-squeeze problem. No. Because it was covering all the electrical stuff, only an electrician could safely remove/replace---none of their delivery staff could because of liability. I'm game to try just about anything, but will never play around with electricity---it could leave a mark, leave me fried, or leave me dead. Reluctantly, I cancelled this order.
Had I not had the presence of mind to more closely re-examine that back panel for something I might have missed, I could have ended up with another $300-400 less credit on my card, for the non-refundable delivery charge, and to pay for repairing/replacing scratched and gouged-out woodwork.
.
Happy Ending. I found a GREAT new fridge here at Sears Outlet---plus 2 fine, good-humored employees.
**** Correction to previous review ****
The fridge I purchased was not a floor model. They offer both floor models (some may have slight damage, some more), and also brand new (style chosen from floor model, but new one shipped).
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