Canada Jane

It pays to shop around

Our washer has been slowly dying over the last few months but I have been putting off replacing it. But when I got my latest edition of Consumer Reports about washers it spurred me into action. After a lot of research I decided on the washer I wanted and started to look around for the best price. I was a little shocked to find that it retailed at $1,150 – rather more than I anticipated spending – well a lot more actually!

Anyway I searched and searched and put it off a while longer when suddenly Sears decided to put it on sale at $1,050 – a $100 saving – excellent. However I still looked around and then found that Future Shop had it for $799 – a whopping saving. We went into FS and asked about the machine and was told that they did not have any in stock anywhere in the country, but had a lot of other washers…. It seems that the price may be just a ploy to get you into the shop and buy something else – FS are famous for their creative advertising!

Not to be outdone I then saw the washer in Lowes for $998 and asked if they price match. “Yes” the guy said gleefully until I showed him the print off of the FS price and his face fell. “That’s a lot less, I will have to get my boss’s approval.” Off he went. I wasn’t too bothered as I know other shops price match so if they didn’t I would go to Sears.He came back and said yes they would price match and could deliver it tomorrow. This was Sunday and I chose to have it delivered on Tuesday which was okay by them.

So, yesterday my new washer arrived. I had to go out to a meeting so left hubby to deal with the boring stuff like installing it etc. When I got home my gleaming new washer was all set up and waiting to go. Well, I have never been so excited to do a load of washing – how sad! It has lots of buttons and lights and rather than buzzing at the end of the cycle it plays a little tune – wow!

The washing came out great and you can amuse yourself if nothing is on TV as it has a clear top so you can watch it wash. I hasten to add I did not do this – well not for too long anyway!

This is my new washer the Whirlpool WTW6700W, but mine is while not stainless. I could not justify spending an extra $50 on stainless when it sits in a laundry cupboard.

I have to add that Lowes delivery notification perhaps goes a little too far. The night before delivery we received an automated message, that I nearly put the phone down on thinking it was a spam call stating the washer would be delivered tomorrow. Then five minutes later a human rang to say exactly the same thing. In the morning we received a call to say the delivery would be today. Then the delivery man called to ask for directions. Then another call from a woman stating the washer would be with us in 20-40 minutes. Slight overkill!