Sunday, August 20, 2023

The search for an all-in-one washer and dryer




I don't know about you, but I've always been fascinated by a Quest.  

History has plenty: The space race to the Moon in the 60's. The search for the head of the Nile in the 19th Century.  The races to the North and South poles (Was Peary really the first to reach the North Pole, or was it Cook?  We may never know.)

https://time.com/6294794/robert-peary-frederick-cook-north-pole-feud/

Quests of all kinds continue today. Think of the race between corporations trying to be the first to develop and market the latest advances in cellphone technology, or the constant struggle by so many manufacturers to make products that are greener and more energy efficient, or the constantly awe-inspiring advances in medicine and surgery that prolong our lives.

Now, there are some areas in which I wish there was some sort of quest, or race:  Can't we find a way to make airline travel less uncomfortable?  Can't we find a pill that lets us lose weight instantly without side effects or repercussions?  Can't anyone make canned chili that actually tastes like real chili?

In my business, one such elusive quest has been in the laundry category: The All-in-one washer/dryer.

Why hasn't anyone been able to produce a unit that:

  1.  Cleans and dries clothes properly, 
  2.  Doesn't take four hours to finish one load, 
  3.  Has the large capacity we have come to expect and demand from our washers,
  4.  Is energy efficient,
  5.  Can be used in different settings?

So far, no manufacturer has been up to conquering all these bullet points.  

The biggest challenges have been:

  1. Shortening the cycle times.  Most combos take 3-4 hours to complete a load.
  2. Small capacity.  Most of the reliable all-in-ones are from European based manufacturers, and are made for the generally more compact kitchens that are the norm across the pond

Just how small are Euro-washers?  Typically, they are the size of a modern dishwasher (34" tall, 24" wide and deep.)  Dishwasher sized washers and dryers have been a hard-sell here in the U.S.

Well, up to the plate comes GE!  

Earlier this year they launched a full sized unit that addresses all the challenges mentioned above.

 https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-Profile-4-8-cu-ft-Capacity-UltraFast-Combo-with-Ventless-Heat-Pump-Technology-Washer-Dryer-PFQ97HSPVDS

  1. Cycle time has been reduced to approximately two hours, which is consistent with what one expects from todays washers.
  2. At 4.8 cubic feet, GE has given the public a washer that is actually larger than average sized - even for today's oversized units!
  3. Like all good front-loading machines, large loads of clothes come out clean. By using a condenser coil, GE can dry that large load much faster than other combo units. And the most amazing part of this: The clothes actually get dry on a standard 110v plug!  There is simply no other machine that can offer a fast drying time without a dedicated 30 amp outlet.
  4. By using heat pump technology, GE is able to significantly reduce energy consumption on the drying side.  In fact, some utility companies offer rebates on heat pump dryers (and I suspect more will follow.)
  5. Design adaptability.  To me, this is one of the unit's coolest aspects adaptability!  Because it runs on a standard 115v circuit, and because it does not need to be vented, this machine can be placed in a variety of places throughout the house!

                                                                   



I spoke briefly with Scott, one of our service techs, about the quality of this new product.  Scott was exuberant about the internal construction, and believes that these combos will prove to perform reliably.  (Most people don't realize that for an appliance repairman to actually "like" an appliance is a rare event, possibly because they spend all day fixing broken appliances.)

GE is excited about this breakthrough appliance, and so are we at Manny's.  We feel this unit will be the right go-to solution for a lot of unusual applications.

Now, back to the canned chili problem...





Friday, July 28, 2023

The Massachusetts Sales Tax Weekend Is Almost Upon Us!



First, a disclaimer:  This blog really is only of interest to Massachusetts customers!  (Sorry VT, NH, CT, RI shoppers.)

Of course, if you live in the Granite State, I'm sure you could care less about a sales tax holiday, right?

If you live in one of the great states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Vermont this blog is going to be of little help to you (unless you are willing to drive to your nearest Massachusetts Manny's.)

But -- if you reside in the Bay State, then I'm sure you're already well aware of our state's no-sales-tax weekend, this year occuring on August 12th and 13th!

Massachusetts is one of 30 states that implemented a sales tax holiday in recent years, with the intent of both helping consumers with back-to-school purchases, and to help retailers in what is normally a bit of a slowdown in traffic.

What makes the Massachusetts sales tax holiday different from other states?  The biggest, actually by far the most important difference, is the dollar cap.  In Massachusetts, you can save the entire 6.25% sales tax on any purchase up to $2500! (Do note - over $2500, and you pay the full tax.)

Keep in mind: The cap is $2500 per product, NOT on the entire purchase.  So, go ahead and add a new dryer to your washer, or upgrade your kitchen while saving a couple of hundred dollars! 

As far as our neighboring states are concerned, only Connecticut has any sort of program, and it is far more restrictive:

Connecticut:   Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are tax-exempt from the state sales tax of 6.35%.

Rhode Island  or Vermont.  Currently there is no such program, although it appears RI is considering a holiday similar to Massachusetts'.

The result (perhaps unintended originally) of the unusually high limit in Mass is that sales in certain businesses (such as the household appliance business) spike - dramatically!  Most, but not all, of our products fall neatly into the under-$2500 category.  As a result, many of our customers will time their appliance purchases to take advantage of the extra savings the tax holiday offers (plus, let's be honest... who doesn't want to find a way to pay less tax, yes?)

Have you ever shopped in a mall or big box store on a tax holiday weekend?  If you have,  you were probably frustrated by the huge crowds of shoppers, which can make getting the attention of salespeople challenging! (Personally, I haven't had the pleasure of shopping the tax holiday - I've always been on the other end, doing my best to at least try to take care of our customers.  The experience can be stressful, for employees and customers alike!)

There is a solution to beating the crowds, and a solution we strongly encourage:  Come in between now and Friday August 11.  We will be busy, but not overwhelmed.  We can work with you and help you with your purchase. Whether it's a basic washer for an apartment you're renting, a new range to replace the old coil top unit you've been nursing along, all the way up to putting together an appliance suite for a remodel or kitchen upgrade, we can help!

Here's the procedure we've developed over the years:

  1. 1) You come in ahead of time and speak with one of our experienced salespeople, so we can assist you in picking out your appliances.
  2. 2) We put together on paper a "quote", outlining your purchase.
  3. 3) On the 12th and 13th Manny's dedicated staff gets up early and drives to work, usually a large cup of strong coffee in hand, and begins processing these payments.  

The only stipulation to this strategy, which we have used effectively in past years, is that your purchase must be paid in full on August 12 or 13. (That means no deposits or layaways.  Sorry -- state rules!) during those two days.  

Now, please keep two thoughts in mind:  

  1. 1) This tidal wave of business is going to stress inventory levels that are still recovering from the Great Pandemic. 
  2. 2) As hard-working as our delivery and warehouse guys are, there are only so many deliveries we can perform each day.  

So, as in past years, please be patient with us!  We will do our best to get your tax-free appliances to you as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, you can always reach out to any of our staff at our various locations.

Finally, one last thought:

Happy Shopping!!

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Dave, How Long Do Appliances Last These Days??

I think I get asked that question more than any other when I'm helping customers pick out new appliances.  

Before I get into that however, let me give you an update on current promotions:  The July 4th promo period officially ended on Wednesday July 12, but some manufacturers have extended their discount allowances to us for a bit longer.  I can't promise that every single item has been extended, but this list should give you a general guideline.

  • GE -- most offers are extended through 7-19.  
  • Whirlpool, Maytag, Kitchenaid. -- Most deals appear to be over as of July 12.
  • LG --   most deals run through 7-19.
  • Frigidaire/Electrolux -- Good news here!  Deals mostly run through 7-26.
  • Samsung -- most promos now run through 7-26.                                                              

So if you missed the Independence Day sales, in many cases there's still time to hurry into your local Manny's and take advantage!!

Now, back to longevity of today's appliances.

I read through a dozen or more articles last night from various sources trying to find a consensus of estimates.  Below, I'm linking two sites with recent articles that seem to fall in the middle of the curve.

First, from "This Old House":

How Long Do Appliances and Parts of Your Home Last?

Here’s a guesstimate of how long things last around your home to help you plan for routine maintenance.



Thursday, July 6, 2023

Relax!! There's still time to save!!

 

Wow!  Where did the holiday go?  

Maybe you and your family have been away on vacation.   Maybe you've been busy visiting family, or getting your kids ready for summer camp (or summer school.)  Or maybe you've been staying home, fighting off allergies, or ash from the Maritime fires.  Or maybe, like myself and my coworkers, you've been simply busy working through the holiday period and juggling life.

But... maybe now you're kicking yourself, thinking that you might have missed out on all the great savings Manny's offered during its Independence Day promotion.

If that's the case, you needn't worry!  Nearly all the specials are good through July 12th.  That's an extra week to save significant $$ on new appliances for your home.

Just how good are these specials?  Let me share a couple amazing examples:


https://www.mannystv.com/products/GE-Appliances/ge/js760spss.html

This range is one of my favorites, even when not on a promo like this!  This a backless range (great for island installations, or simply for showing off your new tile or backsplash), with a large capacity self-cleaning oven, true "European convection," (essentially two convections speeds: one for baking, one for larger cuts of meat.) plus an air-fry feature (here's a secret:  air frying is taking advantage of the convection fan feature already in this range!), It even is wi-fi compatible!   And... all for under $1000!

Now, due to demand this range is temporarily on backorder from GE, but will be replenishing soon.  As long as you order the range by July 12, you can take advantage of this amazing deal!

Here's another unbelieveable deal, just as impressive:


https://www.mannystv.com/products/Whirlpool/whirl/wrf555sdfz.html


Here we have over 25 cubic feet of American made, American owned, energy-star refrigeration!  Adjustable shelving, a fingerprint-resistant finish, with an ice and water dispenser in the door!   And all for hundreds less than regular price, or even a "normal" sale price.  

If you're prefer a modern looking, stylish refrigerator without the water dispenser, Whirlpool has a companion piece:

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Whirlpool/whirl/wrf535swhz.html



These are just a couple examples of what we can offer you at Manny's in the coming days.   We have many others, including a LG counter-depth fridge with an insta-view window for $1300 off! Or, this  Frigidaire Gallery counter-depth four door refrigerator for $1400 (!!) off regular price,

https://www.mannystv.com/products/lg/lrfoc2606s.html

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/grmc2273cf.html





Now, I really don't plan on using this blog to be just a glorifed commerical, but - some of these deals are nothing less than specatular, and easily the biggest discounts we've seen since the start of the Pandemic.  

So as I said earlier... there's still time to take advantage of our knowledgable sales staff, our own delivery and service people, our quick delivery turnaround time, our twelve month deferred financing, and our exlcusive rebates on two or more appliances.

One last suggestion:  

Please hurry!  These savings do end shortly!


Wednesday, June 21, 2023

 Fourth of July!!

                                                      

Manny's Fourth of July Sale is currently in full swing!  Price reductions, featuring promotional incentives from various appliance manufacturers, are in place. 

As our inventory levels keep recovering, we're seeing the most aggressive discounts from major manufcaturers such as Whirlpool, GE, LG, and more, since pre-Pandemic days.  The discounts in play right now will give you the best pricing until the traditional Black Friday/Black November sales. 

Think of the end of June through the beginning of July as a "Summer Black Friday" promotion!

However, as I mentioned in a blog last month, these discounts will vary from model to model, and sometimes even color-by-color.  Here's an example from one of our most popular ranges:








The price tag (and the other price tag below) is the actual price tag from Sunday June 18 on a Samsung gas range. 

Self-cleaning, five burners, griddle, convection oven - this range offers a lot of features for a great promo price!  $779 in stainless steel, or $799 for the newer black stainless color.  But-what if you want this range in white?   Well... it's available, but I would have to sell it to you for $1149, which is more in line with what this range sells for in stainless when not on a manufacturer promo.

This isn't Manny's decision.  Samsung has chosen to promote and aggressively discount the newer and more popular colors (stainless and black stainless), while also choosing to not discount the traditional older white color.


Here's another example, this one even more extreme:  a GE counter-depth French door fridge with an ice-and-water dispenser (probably the priciest category of standard refrigerators!)





This model, the GYE22GYMFS, is fully loaded! Counter-depth, ice and water dispenser, LED lighting, Energy Star qualified, and USA made!  The sale price through July 12 is an amazing $2199 -- in fingerprint resistant stainless steel.  

Note that GE also offers this model in black slate and slate colors, but without any promotional incentives ($3238 and $3418 respectively).  

If you're confused, fear not!

Manny's can help you out!

Yes, we at Manny's can assist in helping find the right fridge for you, in a variety of colors, and at the right price.  If in stock we can usually bring that fridge to your home in three days or less!  What else besides advice do we offer to you, the consumer, in the way of services?

  • The backing of our own service and delivery departments.
  • Financing plans up to 12 months with no interest (see a salesperson for details.)
  • Thousands of products ready for delivery in three days or less.
  • Aggressively priced extended service plans to give you extra peace-of-mind
  • Ten convenient locations, plus the ability to order online 24-7-365.
  • Exclusive rebates on select packages of two or more pieces

In closing.... if you're ready to purchase a new kitchen appliance, whether a replacement range or washer, or even a complete new kitchen suite, now's the right time!  Let us help you out!








Thursday, June 15, 2023

Energy!! (Or, why does my new dishwasher take so long?)




Remember Reddy Kilowatt, this charming spokes"man" for the electricity industry?  I do - vaguely!

Energy use of kitchen appliances first became the subject of attention by consumer advocates and environmentalists after the OPEC oil embargoes of '73-74, and again in '79.  I remember fondly waiting in a gas line overnight one Thursday in August 1979  so I'd be able to get a tank of gas in my 14 mile a gallon Mercury and drive down to Misquamicut with my friends for the weekend.  

Well, things have changed, and mostly for the better! Consumers and manufacturers have become energy conscious. My Prius gets approximately triple the mileage of that old Mercury.  Kitchen appliances have also become more efficient and green.   Energy use and water usage have been drstically reduced.   Coolants in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are more environmentally friendly.  

The appliance categories that have changed the most in the last generation are clothes washers, refrigerators, and dishwashers.  I'd like to talk about these three groups.


Washers

Chances are you know someone who hates, or at least dislikes, their new washer.  Perhaps they don't like how little water goes into many of the cycles.  Perhaps they don't like the much longer cycle times conpared to older machines.

https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/business-unit/whirlpool/en-us/marketing-content/blog-posts/washing-machine-cycle-time-chart.pdf

Simply put, the Department of Energy has pushed appliance manufacturers into making washers that use 50% less water and energy (and sometimes more than that) than their predecessors.  



Today's machines also spin out water in the final rinse cycle at a higher RPM than older machines, which helps to cut down on both drying time and energy use by the dryer (not to mention less wear-and-tear on your clothes from "baking" in the dryer!) The tradeoff for the decreased energy use is that cycle times are longer, in some cases - especially in "heavy duty" and "bulky" cycles - as much as 90-120 minutes longer.

If cycle time is important to you, some models are more accommodating then others.  For example,  Speed Queen top loading washers feature a 32 minute regular wash, or a 41 minute wash with an extra rinse!  Electrolux front loading washers have quick cycles that can wash smaller loads in as little as fifteen minutes!

                      

Refrigerators


Refrigerators have become dramatically more efficient, as the article below points out:  

https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/refrigerators-and-freezers.pdf

Fridges also tend to be:

  • larger (in all three dimensions).
  • brighter on the inside (due to the use of LED lighting).
  • more environmentally friendly (due to newer coolants).   

Today's units employ better temperature management inside the fresh-food compartment (the "refrigerator" portion) due to more accurate thermostat systems, which allows perishables to last longer.  Also, fridges come in a greater variety of styles and sizes.

In my twenty-five plus years of selling refrigerators I have seen several mandates by the D.O.E. for increased energy efficiency.  It is not unrealistic to expect your new fridge to pay for itself over the unit's life!

Do refrigerators cost more?  Well, yes, but in terms of "real" dollars you really aren't paying more than you would have twenty-plus years ago for a similar unit.


Dishwashers





Let's talk about the one aspect of today's dishwashers about which I hear the most complaints:  cycle times are so much longer than in the past!!  

This is true.  The average cycle length of a "Normal" cycle is generally a bit over two hours.  Every residential dishwasher in production will have these longer cycle lengths.  The only way to have your dishwasher take less time is to use the "short" or "light" cycle, which usually takes 48-60 minutes.

Fortunately, today's dishwasher offers a host of improvements over older models that hopefully compensate for the cycle time.

  • Water consumption and energy use is dramatically reduced.
  • Dishwasher interiors have become more roomy, making it easier to fit larger platters and pans.
  • Shelf space inside dishwashers has been increased, largely through the use of a third rack available on about half the current models.
  • Dishwashers as a group have become quieter, in some cases approaching silence!
  • Dishwashers do a better job cleaning by using better filters, strategically placed racks, and internal water heaters to help dissolve grease.

So, while you might be less than thrilled with your new dishwasher's cycle length, at least you can be reassured that your appliance is saving you labor by cleaning your dishes for you.  I find it helpful to remember that my dishwasher is cleaning for me while using gallons less water than if I was washing my hand.


Feel free to reach out via our comments section if you have any questions or thoughts on this!



Monday, June 5, 2023

 Manny's Appliance Blog #4

Refrigeration

Picture this scenario:  It's 7:15 on a Wednesday morning.  You reach into the freezer portion of your kitchen refrigerator to grab some food for your family's various lunches, and you notice the carton of ice cream is soft.  You examine further, and discover the steaks and ice cubes aren't completely frozen. 








Your freezer is failing.   You mutter an expletive or three under your breath.  Now what do you do?

Service options

If your refrigerator is less than a year old, which means your fridge is still under manufacturer's warranty (usually one year parts and labor), then the solution is simple:  You need a service tech.  You can call the manufacturer's toll free number, or go onto their website.  You can also call Manny's service department (855-862-6697), and we can schedule one of our qualified service technicians to come to your house, diagnose, and ultimately repair your appliance.



If your refrigerator is between one and five years old, your options vary.  Perhaps you had the foresight to purchase an extended warranty, either through the fridge's manufacturer or a third party.  If you bought your fridge from Manny's, you might have also purchased one of our extended service plans.  In either of these cases, once again your plan is simple:  Take advantage of the service contract, and get a technician out to your house at no charge to address the fridge's problem!

But... if your refrigerator is out of warranty, the alternatives aren't as easy.  You can call a service tech and pay their diagnostic trip charge (usually $125-$200), and hope the repair is both simple and inexpensive. If you have an older unit, you might decide replacement might be a better option.

Replacement options

If you do decide to replace, Manny's can certainly help you out!




Now, if this happened a couple of years ago, when appliance availability was crippled by both the pandemic and all the well-known supply chain issues, you might have had a more difficult problem, as the fridge you want might well have been unavailable.  I had customers waiting as long as a year, in a few isloated cases even longer, for certain hard-to-find sizes.  Fortunately, choices are much more plentiful than in 2021-22, and in most cases Manny's can get a new, functioning, energy efficient fridge in your home within 3 business days or less!

So.... what do you need to know in order to properly buy the right refrigerator for you home?  Below are the questions your Manny's sales professional will be asking you:

1)  Size - Unlike other appliances such as ranges and dishwashers, refrigerators vary in width, height, and even depth!  If you're looking for one of the more "contemporary" styles such as a French Door style fridge, most models are built for the modern kitchen opening of 69-70" high, 36" wide.  If your kitchen doesn't have that space, your choices become more limited.  Single door models, top or bottom freezer style, will max out at 32 7/8" wide, and are built to fit the older 33" space.   

Whichever style you are thinking about, you definitely want to measure before you buy - a lot of homes in New England have kitchens built for 33" fridges!

2) Style - Refrigerator styles are classified by the location of the freezer: top freezer, side-by-side, single door bottom freezer, or French door bottom freezer.  If you're on a budget, or if this is just a basic fridge for an apartment or the basement, you'll find a traditional top freezer style is the least expensive (and generally the smallest size-wise.) French door fridges, currently the most popular from a design standpoint,  tend to be the most expensive.

One more thing:  if you are considering a full-width refrigerator, there are shallower, "counter-depth" models available.  Expect to pay a small "style premium" to have your fridge not extend as far into your kitchen.

3) Ice - Almost all styles except for top-freezer models come with a pre-installed ice device. Side-by-side models have an external ice and water dispenser in all except for two models.  Single door bottom freezers will normally have an internal icemaker.  French door models are available with a choice of an internal icemaker, or an external ice-and-water dispenser.  You can expect to pay an upcharge for an external dispenser.  Top freezers for the most part do not automatically ship with icemakers, but one is normally available as an add-on.

4) Color - Stainless steel, often coated to cut down on fingerprints, is still the most popular color.   What I call the "stainless alternatives", such as black stainless, slate, black slate, etc., have become more popular the past few years, but are still not as popular as stainless.  White and black are still usually available, but these colors normally sell as single-piece replacements rather than in a new kitchen suite.  

Are you looking for off-white?   Ouch! Bisque is essentially extinct, while the older almond color went the way of the dinosaur and the passenger pigeon almost two decades ago.

A couple of notes regarding today's refrigerators:  

Every fridge on the market is dramatically more efficient than a generation ago. Units that are "energy star" qualified exceed the DOE standard by an additional 15%.  While that may only be $7-10 per year, the Energy Star designation may qualify you for a rebate through your utility company.

https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/save-money-energy/efficient-products/energy-star-appliances

Lighting on the majority of units is LED, which is both whiter and more energy efficient.  

In most cases, the fridge you buy today will be a little deeper than the unit you're replacing.   Be aware of this!  Also, check your doorways and any 90 degree turns into your kitchen.  No one, neither you or we, want to deliver a fridge that doesn't fit!


(If you have any questions, we'll be glad to help!  Contact a sales professional at your nearest Manny's, or reach out to us online.)