My refrigerator gave out on me after 11 years – well, my fridge still works – it’s really my freezer which is kaput.  So I had to go shopping and boy, was I surprised at the results.

In Store Price Match Plus Policy Wasn't Transparent

I visited four establishments that sell appliances and each had crazy deals with convoluted extended warranty/maintenance plans. I’ve always known that Sears was a trusted brand and so I almost purchased a new fridge there, but something inside just didn’t sit well.  I knew that Home Depot sold appliances, but it never crossed my mind to check them. So since Sears promotes that it will price match competing prices at other stores I asked my wonderful sales associate if she could price check my particular fridge at other stores. She said sure and off we went to the appliance area computer kiosk.

Well, we couldn’t connect to the Internet. I swear that the store was using a dial-up connection. It was painful and it felt like the 90′s.  I have never seen a more slow computer and that just pushed me out the door to visit other stores. It was a red flag for me.

Home Depot Came Through Like a Champ

So I next visited Home Depot and I found a much better offer. I saved $200 bucks and got a warranty at half the price and at more years than what Sears was offering.  And when I asked the sales associate to price check the fridge for me, he said sure. So we went to his desk which housed a state-of-the-art computer system and large flat screen.  In half a second we were looking at competing stores together. But, in the end, Home Depot had the best price.

Home Depot provided the right customer service. That sold me right there. They stood behind competitive price checking versus Sears just pretending that they do.  Now I have to admit that perhaps this Sears boondoggle may just be an isolated incident. But, it did leave me with a bad taste in my mouth for every Sears.

Since I write about PR practices, Sears did not stand behind their words. Yes, they did provide price matching, but the system was inferior.  They did not break any ethical laws since they provided the service – but, the quality certainly needed help.  As a savvy consumer, I saw right through this tactic. Home Depot is my new hero and my new place to shop for of major appliances.

And yes, Virginia…I now can buy my favorite mint chip ice cream again.  I’ve missed my freezer.

I'm living the high life again with a new fridge.

Come over for some ice cream!

Cindy