Not Costco Or Walmart: Consumer Reports Says This Is A Better Place To Buy Kitchen Appliances

Whether you believe in matching your kitchen appliances or you couldn't care less, it's impossible to deny the fact that our fridge, stove, and dishwasher are the lifeblood of our cooking endeavors. We've spilled some digital ink on how to clean stainless steel appliances with salad staples (yes, really), but not so much on where you should buy quality appliances for a good price. According to Consumer Reports, that esteemed source for ranking and sorting retail information, Abt Electronics of Chicago is the hotspot for appliances that you might be overlooking.

Abt has topped all other comers in CR's estimation for 14 years straight. Consumer Reports gleaned data from almost 10,000 consumers purchasing large appliances and built rankings encompassing over 20 brick-and-mortar retailers and websites. While many competing retailers received "favorable" ratings, Abt rose to the top of the heap. If you haven't heard of Abt, you could be forgiven — especially if you don't reside in the Midwest. The family-owned company was founded in 1936 by husband and wife David and Jewel Abt as "Abt Radio," and has blossomed into a thriving business run by three consecutive generations of Aby family members. Its online storefront was one of the first authorized retailers for major brands like Sony and Toshiba, and, today, it ships all around the country. As you might have gathered, it sells a lot more than radios, too! Major appliances, small appliances, and even grills are all part of Abt's massive inventory.

Walmart may be the largest grocery store chain in America and you know we adore the deals we get at Costco, but consumers flock to Abt for great prices, a strong warranty program, and friendly customer service. "Yes, Abt is the goat. Great service. Very knowledgeable people," one Redditor stated. In that same thread: "Abt matches prices. They have their own fleet of trucks, so you're not getting whatever third party Home Depot/Best Buy use. Easy to schedule deliveries. Their sales people are extremely professional and not pushy. They treat their employees well." Meanwhile, on Yelp, where reviewers are too often critical, a number of glowing reviews paint a positive picture. To wit: "When asked, [the Abt employee] even gave us a small additional discount, that made our shopping experience even better. In fact, Abt would match or beat a lower price if you happen to find it, that makes the customers' confidence in Abt even stronger."

Replacing your kitchen appliances can be a frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive process. It's good to know that there are still places where one can enjoy a memorable and pleasant shopping experience in times of stress. Can't visit Abt's Chicago showroom? Check out its website, which has the full gamut of inventory available for shipping. Whether it's Consumer Reports (proper noun) or online consumer reports (general), we like what we're hearing about Abt Electronics.