Does It Matter Where I Buy the Washer?

The only difference I have heard of is changing the model number because of price matching. So the model number sent to best buy is unique so that if someone offers it for less than they want to match it is not actually the same model since the number is slightly different. The machine itself is exactly the same.

If it's the same brand and model, it's the same washer.

It is true that sometimes Best Buy and other stores like it get store only models made without some of the bells and whistles, or just with the things "most" people want. That's probably what you're mom was talking about .

But if it is the SAME model, it's the same wherever you buy it.

Go with the best price and/or warranty and easiest place to buy.

Hope this helps.

Mainly check the model # and that sort of thing as there are different ones of the same machine and you may think you are comparing prices and you aren't. Like with TV's. You might see a samsung on sale at one store but it may be a different model #, same with computers, etc. Make sure everything you are wanting and comparing is the same and then buy what you want.

B.:

i've NEVER heard of different specifications for different stores. I HAVE heard and know that cars are made differently for different states and countries...

I would buy the appliance from where I want that has the washer I want.

My father worked for Wards and then had his own business selling and repairing appliances. He said that the Ward's and Sear's (Kenmore) store brands were exactly the same as the name brand. When I bought my washer I asked the salesman and he said it's true. I would think it's the same with Lowes and Best Buy. I would ask the salesman at Lowe's. He is a professional and will be truthful.

I bought a washer from a wholesale outlet and they told me that their washer was the same as the name brand comparison. You can check this out by going to sears and comparing the washer with one from Lowe's.

Here is a web site that compares various brands. I don't know if that would be helpful. http://www.bizrate.com/washers-dryers/

I suggest that Lowe's price is cheaper because of business decisions unrelated to the quality of the washer.

Well, I don't know about the quality of the exact same product being different at different retail outlets.

However, I dislike BigBox, and I will buy from a local guy every time it's possible. I am even willing to pay a little more if need be. But only a LITTLE more.

:)

Per my experience that's bs. I had a top of the line Maytag from Maytag store and both crapped out within 5 yrs.

We replaced with top of the line Kitchen Aid from Best Buy and have never had issues with either. Best buy was above and beyond on service.

Per your post... Yes some stores ( Walmart specifically) will sell a name brand that is not the the same caliber of the same model sold at best buy , etc.

We've had nothing but good experiences with Best Buy, but, we don't go cheap either. We buy the absolute best quality we can afford at the time.

I boycott Walmart/ sam's for the poor quality they attempt to portray as good quality.

Just for example "Sears" doesn't "make" Kenmore washers, they are made by other manufacturers and branded as Kenmore.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/news/who-ac...

The models may vary from store to store so it's not always easy to compare apples-to-apples, so to speak.

Spend what you can afford and try to get the most for your money.

I've heard of Walmart doing that, but no other store. Our last purchase was a fridge, which we purchased at Lowe's and is doing just fine.

When an appliance hits the dust at our house, I talk to our repairman. I ask him what he recommends as a replacement and why. He knows what brands he fixes a lot and what brands he doesn't have to. The brands I *used* to count on being good are not necessarily so now. Sometimes a different company buys out the whole shebang, keeps the brand name, and redoes the machinery. It can be hard to keep up with all that.