Skip Big-Box Stores: Consumer Reports Say This Is The Best Place To Buy Appliances

When you're looking for an appliance, whether something small like a toaster or bigger, such as a dishwasher, you have to double down and do research. It takes time to find the best brands and the model that has all the features you need. But you also have to figure out where you want to buy the appliance from. It may be simple to just go to the store closest to you, or buy online and let someone else handle the shipping, but Consumer Reports suggests trying local and independent stores first. Using a smaller company can provide more perks than from big-box alternatives. 

According to Consumer Reports, independent places can usually offer price matching, so you pay a similar cost. Additionally, Consumer Reports' helpful advice for getting the lowest price on appliances — including tracking trends — also works with independent stores. They can often ship similar products to what you can buy from bigger companies. Plus, they will sometimes offer extra benefits, like loaners or in-home services, to make you feel as if you're actually a valuable customer. 

Local stores also have the advantage of offering higher-grade and more selective items. Instead of slamming you with hundreds of different products that all look really similar, you have fewer appliances to decide between. This may sound like a negative, but choice overload can make it hard to find a product you actually need, and leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. 

However, that doesn't mean those big-box retailers' online stores are useless. Because so many people do shop from there, searching through sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Home Depot lets you compare lots of models and brands. According to Consumer Reports, you get a good chance to check reviews for any issues with the product to determine the best kitchen appliance brands before making your final decision. Then, you can head to the independent location with your top contenders already picked out. You can discuss options with the team there as well to help narrow down your decision, but it's always good to have an idea of what you want and possible options before making a purchase.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all your research, though, or having trouble narrowing it down, local and independent stores can come in handy again. Usually, the people who work there are very knowledgeable about what they are selling. If you have any questions or concerns, they should be able to help you. You're also more likely to experience personalized customer service, with someone willing to walk you through appliances and answer any questions. They may even be able to help you find products you didn't know you needed, including must-have appliances that add a touch of luxury to your home. Big-box stores, on the other hand, tend to swap out staff and move them around to different departments, which means they may not have the expertise that you need.