Last night I ventured out to the local Sears Appliance Outlet. I haven't been there in a year or more, and I wanted to see what assorted flotsam and jetsam has washed up on its shores in the meantime.

Boy was I surprised. Row upon row of modern washers. Well, nothing new there. But instead of the rows of Frigmores and original Neptunes I saw last time, now there are even newer models.

Lots of Kenmore HE4's and HE3's. The best looking ones are the dark blue. There was a whole row of the ugliest appliance color I've ever seen - that dark orange Hettie. What were they thinking?

Until tomorrow you can get a basically new Oasis HE washer for $720. Do they make a version with an internal heater? Not that I could see from the many Oasii in attendence. A few Cabrio versions as well, but these were all agitator type.

I think I saw only one original Frigmore, and just a couple of original Neptunes. There were a fair number of Affinities, a few GE washers, and even a lone LG Tromm. Ever so cute, a whole row of Kenmore mini-top loaders with equally diminutive 110 volt dryers. Obviously made in Asia, but I was too busy to flip one around to see who really makes them.

I had to shake my head at the staff, though. One saleslady looked like a refugee from the movie "Hairspray". Another one was spending most of her time on a for-sale treadmill. A third amused me when I overheard her taking a young couple around the washers. She pointed to the lone Frigmore, and declared, "That's the smallest washer you can buy [not true]. It's good for maybe a pair of jeans and a couple of t-shirts [also not true]". I suppressed the urge to walk over and correct her in front of the customers as she officiously led them towards more expensive options (the Frigmore was going for around $400). I knew what I would say to her, along the lines of, "You obviously don't know what you're talking about. This washer holds as much, or more, laundry than the average top loader. Furthermore, you've got a whole row of mini-washers a few feet away - or don't you know your own stock?". Probably best I kept my thought to myself.

Among the top-loaders were maybe five or six Neptune TL's, all rather used. I wonder how many people use Sears as a free washer rental service. None of them were the top of the line touchscreen version with internal heater, though. There were also a few bique Neptune TL dryers. They sure do look odd on pedestals. I like the look of the washer, but that dryer is weird.

Also with the top loaders were about the same number of Fisher/Paykels. Eco Intelligensia or something like that. Big tall things with slanted plastic lids. Most were brand new, with the packing material still holding the agitator in place. Again, I had to wonder about the FP dryer - it clearly didn't match the washer and it looked like FP didn't really care if it did. Not a bad deal, either, most were going for under $600.

A separate area was set aside for dishwashers. Prominently featured was a block of FP dish drawers. Still not cheap even at outlet prices; a single drawer could be had for about $650.

One very interesting appliance that caught my eye: A Sharp microwave in a drawer. If I were remodeling I'd really give that serious consideration. On the other hand, I don't think it gave one a window to observe the corn popping. Oh well, can't have everything. But it did look very cool.

So it may no longer be as easy to return major appliances just "because". Think someone posted/was moaning about it over on THS. After the K-Mart takeover, it probably was only a matter of time. Don't all the big stores have some sort of restocking fee and or cut off on appliance returns?


Honestly if the above is true, it's about time. While it was great when the old Sears stood behind what they sold, far too many people it seemed were indeed "renting" appliances and returning them. If something is wrong with a purchase that is another story.

L.

Hey Sudsmaster, I live in Sac. area and wanted to know where this place is. I actually just bought a new set of LGs but have always been intrigued by the Neptune TL (just think it would be neat to watch). -KC

Kayc,

There is a Sears Appliance Outlet near Merced and Fairway in San Leandro. I don't know if there are any closer to Sacramento. It's open 9am to 9pm M-Sa, 10 am to 9pm Sundays, or so I recall.

You can use 411.com and mapquest to get an address and directions.

Hey! Kacyc1, what part of Sacramento do you live in? I'm in the area South-East of Stockton Blvd and Broadway, not far from the UC Davis Hospital Center area, that is on Stockton Blvd. My area is actually called Tahoe Park. There is an Sears Outlet Store out in the Ranco Cordova area. It is between Zinfandel Drive and Bradshaw Roads, but closer to Zinfandel Drive. The Address and Phone Numbers are: 10347 Folsom Blvd Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 916-361-8312.

It is opened, I believe the same times and Days of the Weeks as the San Leandro Sears Outlet Store. There is also a See's Candy Store at the front part of the Parking Lot, almost in front of the Sears Outlet Store.

Do you know where the Wal-Mart is out in Rancho Cordova? It is West of that, approx 1-mile actually before the Wal-Mart, so you might want to take the Bradshaw Road Exit and go over the Freeway, to Folsom Blvd, turn Right and it will be on the Left side of Folsom Blvd, but a little ways towards Zinfandel Road.

"BTW" they are doing some Renovation of the Bulidings, so they have Temporary Store Signs on the unfinished Wooded Store-Fronts, until they get them completed. It makes it a little harder to locate the Stores.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

Kacyc1 and Rich, check out my Thread listed above. I had just gone to our Sacramento Sears Outlet Store the other Day and had found out that they were selling the Fisher-Paykel Washers and Dryers now.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...