Buying a new appliance (COVID rules)

[hooplady]

TLDR: who has purchased a major appliance during the pandemic? What was your experience, did you have to cancel and re-order, and any tips or advice? TIA
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For the last couple months my 5-yr old Maytag washer has shown signs that the main control panel was dying (odd error codes, flashing and beeping in the middle of the night, etc.). I should have been proactive, but everything always re-set after a few on/offs or unplugging for a while. Well it finally died completely. Had a repair person come out (Sears) to confirm that it needed to be replaced. It was going to be at least two weeks for them to get back to actually install the panel. The cost of the repair is as much as the washer cost originally, so in normal times I'd do some research and math and make a decision. But these are not normal times, I've read the horror stories about long waits for any major appliance. He confirmed that the part was indeed available, so it was ordered. Then after a couple of days comes the email that it isn't available after all, and they'll send updates weekly (!) to advise of the status.

Not wanting to wait who-knows-how-long for the part to arrive, I started shopping for a replacement. Found something acceptable at Lowe's, got all the way through the process online fully expecting to get to the last step and be shown a delivery date in the far future. I assumed I'd have to start all over with a different model. Shockingly, it gave me available dates as soon as tomorrow. I figured I had just lucked out, so I finalized the purchase.

Similar to the experience with the repair part, I get an email later saying that deliveries are delayed and I'll get a call with the "real" date. At this point I have no idea if I'll get it this week, this month, or worse. Yes, I know supply chains are still a hot mess but I naively thought that major retailers would actually know their inventory and be able to predict fulfillments somewhat accurately. Really not sure if I should go back to the option of repairing the old one, or gamble on the new. Not knowing timelines really leaves me in a quandary.

[Sibley]

It's going to depend on what you get. Some things are available same day. Other things its going to take months. Parents bought all new kitchen appliances this summer. The dishwasher was the biggest question mark on when it would show up.

My advice: buy used. Look on Facebook marketplace or whatever is the best site for your area. Or check for stores that sell used appliances. Yes, you have to hassle with transportation, but you know the thing is available. Plus, it's cheaper and better for the environment.

[hooplady]

My advice: buy used. Look on Facebook marketplace or whatever is the best site for your area. Or check for stores that sell used appliances. Yes, you have to hassle with transportation, but you know the thing is available. Plus, it's cheaper and better for the environment.

I would actually really prefer an older model that had more manual parts, those things are tanks. I had made the assumption that used appliances were following the pattern of used cars, but poking around I see some good candidates. Thanks!

[sonofsven]

TLDR: who has purchased a major appliance during the pandemic? What was your experience, did you have to cancel and re-order, and any tips or advice? TIA
-------------
For the last couple months my 5-yr old Maytag washer has shown signs that the main control panel was dying (odd error codes, flashing and beeping in the middle of the night, etc.). I should have been proactive, but everything always re-set after a few on/offs or unplugging for a while. Well it finally died completely. Had a repair person come out (Sears) to confirm that it needed to be replaced. It was going to be at least two weeks for them to get back to actually install the panel. The cost of the repair is as much as the washer cost originally, so in normal times I'd do some research and math and make a decision. But these are not normal times, I've read the horror stories about long waits for any major appliance. He confirmed that the part was indeed available, so it was ordered. Then after a couple of days comes the email that it isn't available after all, and they'll send updates weekly (!) to advise of the status.

Not wanting to wait who-knows-how-long for the part to arrive, I started shopping for a replacement. Found something acceptable at Lowe's, got all the way through the process online fully expecting to get to the last step and be shown a delivery date in the far future. I assumed I'd have to start all over with a different model. Shockingly, it gave me available dates as soon as tomorrow. I figured I had just lucked out, so I finalized the purchase.

Similar to the experience with the repair part, I get an email later saying that deliveries are delayed and I'll get a call with the "real" date. At this point I have no idea if I'll get it this week, this month, or worse. Yes, I know supply chains are still a hot mess but I naively thought that major retailers would actually know their inventory and be able to predict fulfillments somewhat accurately. Really not sure if I should go back to the option of repairing the old one, or gamble on the new. Not knowing timelines really leaves me in a quandary.

Have you checked eBay for parts, even used parts?
I did this on my dishwasher, bought used parts.
I was skeptical but so far, so good

[iris lily]

We are renovating two properties. I purchased a blue stone stove and it took a few months for it to come in. More problematic was the dishwasher. I wanted an apartment size dishwasher for one property, a dishwasher that hard a panel ready option because I wanna cabinet panel on the front of it.

There was ongoing drama with that appliance. Long story short, it was delivered about 3 to 4 months after that initial estimated time, which was a total of 7 to 8 months.

The refrigerator for this property, another apartment size unit that doesn’t sit on the floor at the big box stores, came in within a reasonable time.

I haven’t yet ordered the stove for the other property we are renovating so I don’t know how long that will be. I do know that we’re ordering kitchen cabinets next week and the estimated delivery time is February 2 022.

For that same property we ordered a garage door weeks ago, and the estimated delivery time is January 2022..

[Smokystache]

Wall stove broke. Bought a replacement electronics board (because that is what the repairman said) and it didn't work. Tried to order one from Home Depot or Lowes  - saw that it would be 4-5 months to receive one. Tried using one of the online-only places, finally asked for a refund after waiting 4 months.

Eventually, I just bought one that had a scratch on it from eBay. Arrived in less than a week and works great. Paid the same price for a slightly scratched one as they are listed for new ... but that is supply and demand for ya.

[Kris]

We ordered a fridge and literally got it the next day. But we have been told by tons of people how unusual that was. Our nephew just bought a house and wanted to do some upgrades to the kitchen appliances. He has ordered them but has been told not to expect them until early 2022.

[hooplady]

Have you checked eBay for parts, even used parts?
I did this on my dishwasher, bought used parts.
I was skeptical but so far, so good

Hmmm...I have not. This particular part was going to be over $400 so I'm not sure I want to start an eBay adventure with this one. They didn't list the actual part number so I'd have to start at the beginning. Worth a look though!

[hooplady]

Well, good news - just got an update from Lowe's that the washer actually is arriving tomorrow. I was getting kind of excited with the thought of sourced a used one, I had several good leads. Next time for sure!

[reeshau]

We ordered a fridge for our new house last summer.  Settled on what we wanted, and went to several places to see who could get it fastest.  Home Depot, Lowe's and an independent appliance store all said it would take months.  The appliance store searched the entire state of Texas, including the manufacturer's warehouse in Dallas. Best Buy got it to us in 2 weeks.

Just ordered a new upright freezer earlier this month.  Took 2 weeks, but arrived heavily dented.  Reorder will take 2 weeks, too.

A very fancy neighbormwas looking for a Sub Zero fridge last month.  Was told they could get it in September.  Of 2022.

In short, it's very hit and miss.  There are problems with parts, particularly electronics.  There are ships stuck in port up to 3 weeks.  And there is a shortage of truckers.  If it looks impossible, though, try other places or try model variations or close competitors.

[hooplady]

If it looks impossible, though, try other places or try model variations or close competitors.

That was exactly what I was prepared to do, except that both the repair company and Lowe's said what I wanted to purchase was available, then it wasn't....and now apparently it is. I did notice later that the Home Depot website indicated whether something was out of stock before placing an order. Dunno if Lowe's would have, or whether I just got really lucky. It was the email that came later that confused me.