buying appliances stateside

yep, they usually use vi cargo for shipping

How about buying from PR?

Did you check with the restaurant supply store(s)? We have at least one on STT (haven't noticed if the one in Red Hook is still open), and that's usually where I go for better quality stuff.

You can check with Patrick at Appliance Plus in Time Center ( before entrance to Tutu Park Mall) if you're on STT.

They're not inexpensive but they deliver, haul away old stuff (for a reasonable price) honor warranties and service what they sell.

Kmart has one guy that flies in from PR once a month to do their servicing and Home Depot will deliver but don't think they have
anyone that services what they sell. They all charge for delivery and hauling old appliances away.
Good luck.

We are looking to buy two entire kitchens...or at least dishwashers, stoves, and likely washers/dryers. We buy white because the stainless rusts and can't be fixed like a white one can, and black shows the dirt even more than white, or differently anyway. I do buy refrigerators on stx because I want at least the first year warranty, since a non-working refrig is a big problem. We sometimes will buy a used appliance when someone is leaving island etc, just depending.
What I'm looking for is an appliance retailer located somewhere near the freight forwarders in Medley, who will give really good prices for buying a package of things. We know of places in other parts of the states, but then the shipping becomes too expensive and defeats the whole idea.
Many years ago there was an arrangement with GE out of puerto rico, but that ended long ago. We have not found any other PR source that works for price and availability. I'm sure there must be some on the island, but I haven't found them, and ordering from someplace like Sears for Kenmore actually became more expensive in total then shipping from Florida.

I just (two weeks ago) purchased a minisplit AC and had it shipped out of Miami for almost $1000 less than what anyone on the island was charging for the exact same model (and that they were hesitant to support). And that savings comes after paying VAT, VI Cargo transportation (200kg @ $70) and the cost for shipping my vacuum pump, manifold, gauges, etc. down here separately ($17). After trying to find somebody on island to troubleshoot a gas oven, I will no longer think twice about buying appliances (or anything for that matter) stateside.

We recently bought appliances from Drimmers Appliances in Miami. Their prices were significantly lower than anyone else in the Miami area. Their service is excellent. There was no charge to deliver to Paradise Freight in Medley. Contact is Hindy Rivkin, 786-837-0146. hindy@drimmersmiami.com

Jeff

Do they have a website?

Google much? 😀

http://www.drimmersmiami.com/

When we remodeled our kitchen in 2008 we bought our appliances at a BrandsMart in Fort Lauderdale and had them shipped here via VI Cargo with no issues at all. I believe delivery to VI Cargo was free. They have multiple store locations and a very large selection of kitchen appliances.

http://www.brandsmartusa.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=brandsmart&utm_campaign=Brandname&gclid=CNK2mNbdvMcCFcESHwodriwCsA

Can't even remember how many appliances I have bought, on island, from various stores. After searching on line and factoring in shipping, no local warranty, etc., we have always bought local. We wanted a bit more upscale appliances when we remodeled out own kitchen. We went to Sears/Kmart and they ordered what we had already picked out from their website. We got the sale prices, same as on line, and even an additional 5% off because we paid with our Sears card. No extra for shipping, etc.

I just ordered a generator from Home Depot, on line. Got a great price, BUT shipping via VI Cargo was $150. Also had to pay FL sales tax, about $70, so it added $220 to the price. I would have bought local, but HD didn't have it and couldn't order it.

Did HD ship the generator to VI Cargo for free?

Did HD ship the generator to VI Cargo for free?

Yes.

Did HD ship the generator to VI Cargo for free?

I may not be exactly right on this because I've been told different things. The telephone representative I spoke with at the on line distribution center told me they would ship to my local store for free. I told her I was on St. Croix, and she said that was not a problem, free shipping. However, the customer service people at the store, here, told me no, I could not have it shipped to them, free or otherwise. Whatever would be the reason HD couldn't accept shipments? They special order items all the time. Some things they cannot order, like my generator. I just don't understand the policies, I guess.

Google much? 😀

http://www.drimmersmiami.com/

Hate it when they don't list prices up front and say "call for price."

Hate it when they don't list prices up front and say "call for price."

That's often because the manufacturer enforces Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP, usually the same price as MSRP) on the retailer, so the store can't advertise anything lower. It's an attempt to put all retailers on a level playing field, and not have them undercutting each other on the product, sending the product into an unprofitable death spiral. However, they can sell it at lower than the advertised price if you call for the price. "Call for price" is annoying, but it usually means you'll get a discount from MSRP.

On a related note, if you ask a retailer for a discount, they will sometimes lie mislead you by saying the manufacturer won't allow them to sell a product below MSRP. But that would be illegal on the manufacturer's part. The manufacturer can only enforce MAP, which means the manufacturer won't allow them to advertise below MSRP. The retailer can give you a discount without violating the manufacturer's terms.

Thank for the info.

Did HD ship the generator to VI Cargo for free?

I may not be exactly right on this because I've been told different things. The telephone representative I spoke with at the on line distribution center told me they would ship to my local store for free. I told her I was on St. Croix, and she said that was not a problem, free shipping. However, the customer service people at the store, here, told me no, I could not have it shipped to them, free or otherwise. Whatever would be the reason HD couldn't accept shipments? They special order items all the time. Some things they cannot order, like my generator. I just don't understand the policies, I guess.

The HD web site says no ship to VI "state". I haven't called/asked the STX store what the real story is yet, on my to do list. Seems a little ridiculous they have stuff on STT and not on STX and they can't bring it in on request.