outlet center discounts?

Hi everyone, I was wondering what kind of discounts to expect from an outlet center (Sears, for example) for a slightly dinged up refrigerator.

Thanks for your help!

The long version of the story is: we bought a new-in-box Kenmore Elite fridge from Sears. It did not get down to temperature properly, and stopped working completely 4 days after it was delivered. We lost ~$200 worth of groceries - not sure if Sears will compensate us for that. Diagnosis was oil in the condenser lines or something. Sears is replacing it for free, but this morning they called and told us the fridge they have today has 2 dings on the side. Because of our kitchen layout, we wouldn't be able to see them at all. Basically, I want to know what kind of discounts are offered at the outlet center as a benchmark for negotiating a discount for this fridge.

Personally, I would ask them for reimbursement for the groceries that you lost (within reason). However, read the warranty to see if that was excluded.

As for the dings, I probably would have sent the replacement back and asked for an undamaged one.

Personally, I am in a BAD MOOD about refrigerators this week. Two weeks ago last Sunday, one of the controls in my ice maker shorted out which meant that the water ran for 6-8 hours, flooding both levels of my condo. I am in the process of replacing nearly all my carpeting and drywall in a couple of rooms. All for something that I would NEVER buy in a refrigerator.

Hi,

You could play inquiring consumer by phoning the outlet center. Advise them you are seeking a model off their floor similar to model XYZ. You could then get into a conversation about how they price these reductions. Of course, all this works better in person but they may just do it over the phone.

Regards,

We bought a Sears Outlet fridge two years ago and it was DOA, not that I knew that until after it killed $500 worth of food. I documented the loss and the manager at the Elgin Outlet credited my CC with the $500.00 and in 10 days sent me a new outlet fridge. The second fridge had plenty of issues as well (six repairman visits) and when it died ($400 worth of food, NO COVERAGE, unless a extended warrantee had been purchased ) I decided to just return the unit and buy a new one from APT.

FWIW, the stove that was purchased at the same time was declared a lemon
(3 electronic control board & touch pad replacement & two complete teardowns to locate a probe problem, (never found))
by a committee at Kitchenaid and replaced with a factory sealed unit.

I have nothing good to say about Sears Outlet appliances But, in the end, the management was very fair with me and I've got no complaint about the service....

We bought a washing machine at the outlet and I think we saved about $100 on a $600 item for damage we couldn't see. It worked fine.

Can't imagine why they'd offer to replace something bought at a regular store with an outlet item, though - that's messed up.

Mhays wrote:We bought a washing machine at the outlet and I think we saved about $100 on a $600 item for damage we couldn't see. It worked fine.

Can't imagine why they'd offer to replace something bought at a regular store with an outlet item, though - that's messed up.

I think they are offering it to the OP at a discount to the original. (?)
I really think you should read the warranty about replacement for the food items as jlawrence01 posted. I bought a freezer from sears, and do recall that there was a food replacement thing included in the event of malfunction.

The discounts at the outlets are all relative to the year of the model, and the damage. They will discount the price more if the model has been sitting in the outlet showroom for a long time, and/or depending on the severity of the damage. I used to frequent the one in Elmwood/Melrose Park, and would not hesitate to buy something (using my better judgement, of course.) Some of the prices were really good, and some were not that great, but you could tell by the dents/bruises, and years why the prices were what they were.

Cathy2's rec for asking about a price seems pretty logical to me.

seebee wrote:
I think they are offering it to the OP at a discount to the original. (?)
I really think you should read the warranty about replacement for the food items as jlawrence01 posted. I bought a freezer from sears, and do recall that there was a food replacement thing included in the event of malfunction.

They are bringing the "new" fridge today for my inspection. No discount was explicitly offered, so I would have to negotiate one on the spot. I'm not sure if the fridge is actually coming from the outlet center, but that seems like a logical conclusion. My other alternative is to reject the fridge and demand a new-in-box replacement, but I don't know how long that will take.

I checked the general warranty, and it does not have a clause excluding compensation for food spoilage. I called the store, and the department supervisor promised me a return call from the manager by tomorrow...

Thanks to everyone for their input.

HI,

New-in-box and delivered uncartoned is two different animals. I bought my current cooktop from Plass Appliance Discount Center on Army Trail Road. From the show floor with a scratch I could not find, it was maybe $425. with full warranty. Packaged in a box with full warranty, it was $750.

I bought a top of the line KitchenAid dishwasher from Plass with a cosmetic defect for just under $600. Fortunately for me, they didn't deliver the scratch on the stainless steel door but another one. While somebody was smiling on me, it was especially nice since it was an over $1500 dishwasher. The only problems I have ever had were caused by the KitchenAid servicemen.

You may be getting an appliance someone else rejected, that is not worthy of paying full price. It's your money, don't let them intimidate you.

Regards,

If you lost 200 in groceries, then at min you would need 200.00 off. THEN start negotiating what you feel is appropriate for the inconvenience, and aesthetic issues. I would definitely consider an extended, or fancy schmancy no cost warranty into the price depending on the 'dings.'