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Talk of the bay

Mom-and-pops score high for appliance buyers

By MARK ALBRIGHT
Published August 15, 2005

Hunting for major appliances? Perhaps the old mom-and-pop store is the place you ought to be.

That's the conclusion of a survey of 6,000 Consumer Reports readers who said they prefer buying ranges, refrigerators, washers and dryers at local independent retailers rather than any of the big national chains.

So much for Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's. And maybe we now have the real reason Circuit City Stores Inc. stopped selling most appliances a few years ago.

Big-appliance buyers today are looking for sales help, easy checkout and a big selection. Independent stores scored highest in delivering in those areas, and "only Sears came close," reports the magazine in its September edition.

Consumer Reports doesn't name any of the independent retailers its readers preferred, but the survey suggests that as a group, they have a better reputation than any national chain.

As far as the notion that local independent retailers do not beat the national chains in price? Survey says, wrong-o.

"None of the major retailers outpriced the independents for ranges, refrigerators and other large appliances, and only two of them were clear winners (Costco and to a lesser extent Target) for small ones such as grills and vacuums," the magazine says. "What's more, readers found Wal-Mart no cheaper (for small appliances) than other stores despite its low-price slogan."

Costco may have been a winner in small-appliance pricing. But it scored right down at the bottom with Wal-Mart on selection, service and checkout ease.

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 21:57:02]