Now at the stage where about the only thing left to do with the kitchen is to get a new fridge freezer. Looking for a 50/50 built in jobby.
I've been having a rummage around on the web and have come across a bewildering number of suppliers, whose prices seem fairly consistent (and about 75% of the electrical sheds). So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for online supplies to use or avoid. I prefer to use "real" shops, but with savings in the region of £100-200 (depending on model) in the offing, it looks as though this online shopping might have something going for it.
For domestic appliances, shops offer no value at all apart from being able to go and look at some models before you buy.
In most cases, manufacturers are doing direct to customer delivery to reduce cost since the more hands and warehouses something passes through, the more the cost and the more likely it is to get damaged.
In effect, whether you buy from a shop or an on-line place, an order gets entered on the manufacturer and you receive the product usually directly from the manufacturer more and more.
As far as service is concerned, either manufacturers have their own operation or they sub it out to local one man operations.
So, the only issue is protecting yourself in the event of an issue with the purchase. your contract is with the shop or the online seller, not the manufacturer. You can protect yourself quite effectively by buying with a credit card - this way the card company becomes liable with the seller so that even if the seller goes broke you have protection With recent legislation on distance selling, you have even more rights such as the ability to return goods for any reason in a short time.
In terms of where to buy, I would just use Google. There are numerous sites that will give you the best price - but don't rely on one, then also they have reviews from individuals about how that trader performs.
You may find places like John Lewis running the same higher prices on line as in their stores, but then sweetening with a 5 year warranty or something like that. If that's useful to you, then it may be a factor in your decision.
I used QED. One of the items (unusual integrated 1600 spin AAA Smeg WM) was out of stock when ordered. However, they kept me informed of progress regularly by email, and let me know that I could cancel or change my order at any time should I wish. BTW, when the boxes arrived, they came in a Miller Brother's van with a Miller Brother's delivery note.
Yup, owned by the same Millers. You'd think that QED would trumpet the Miller Bros name to give themselves credibility as an online supplier, however they go to great lengths to keep it under wraps, presumably to stop customers in the shops demanding the QED price? Interestingly they often use the 'Miller Bros' price as the high street comparator price on QED - and Miller Bros themselves aren't badly priced.
I've used QED a couple of times and they were really good. Only disadvantage was you couldn't pick your delivery time; they give you a date maybe a week in the future, presumably by which time they've got enough orders in your area to make a drop-off worthwhile to them. But a small price to pay for the savings.
Recommended QED to my Dad and the delivery was appalling but I bought a cooker for my son from Appliance-world.co.uk and they were really good and very competitive
I've known Miller Bros. since it was run by the Bros. and they have an outstanding service record. I'm quite impressed at the way they've transformed an old-fashioned family business into a twenty first century one without losing touch with their customers.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.