Sears remains one of the top sellers of major appliances in the nation. This is despite the fact that their prices tend to be somewhat high, many of their salespeople are incompetent boobs (but then again, you can get that anywhere), and you may not know what you are getting when you buy Kenmore. But the worst aspect of purchasing a major appliance from Sears comes when the thing needs service.
It's becoming cliche, but the fact remains "they don't make 'em like they used to". That is especially true in major appliances. With a few exceptions, gone are the days when you could buy a washing machine and expect it to last twenty years. This stuff just breaks.
If you bought a Kenmore-brand appliance from Sears, and you need a service call during the warranty period, then it sucks especially bad for you since you will be dealing with A&E Factory Service. This is also true if you purchased a Whirlpool-brand appliance, although there are many Whirlpool-authorized servicers out there, enabling you to bypass A&E Factory Service.
So what's so bad about A&E?
Here's a link for you. A&E is notorious for doing shoddy work and treating customers like crap, in addition to drastically over-charging for their "services".
There is a great thread over at GardenWeb filled with many people offering their experiences (some good, mostly bad) in dealing with A&E Factory Service. If you are considering making a purchase from Sears, I would strongly suggest you read through this thread.
My advice is to avoid buying from Sears at all. But if you must, at least be aware of what you may be getting into.
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sorry to bust your bubble pal but a@e techs work for sears and are sears employees.they work under the a@e name servicing name brand appliances because they cant go to a customers house who bought an appliance at lowes or menards or where ever with a SEARS uniform on.the a@e name was montgomery wards service name until they went belly up.then sears bought the service side and the name.
Well, you're not bursting my bubble since the whole point of the post was that A&E Factory Service sucks. And if you buy Kenmore from Sears, then you will be limited to warranty service from A&E.
So A&E employees actually work for Sears. Okay, then. Further proof that Sears simply sucks and people shouldn't buy from them.
Well just cut the bantering, it is obvious Brad that you have some type of vendetta against Sears, perhaps you worked at a competitor when you "clerked" in appliances? Lowes, Home Depot, or other?? So warranty service is under A&E folks when bought at Sears? and non warranty and Sears Service protection agreements on appliances fall under Sears technical staff ,not A&E I presume?
A&E is jointly owned by Whirlpool and Sears, am aware of reputation but don't you always hear about the bad and not good in the service industry, its true....Sears does need to clean house with their third party installation contractors, many are sub par..
and that's all I'm gong to say about that....
nice site....
RB
No, I don't have a vendetta against Sears. But of course, when I sold appliances, of course I worked for a Sears competitor. I mean, whoever sells appliances competes against Sears, right? I did not work for Home Depot or Lowes, though. I started out at a larger regional retailer before moving up to smaller, independent shop.
I never differentiated between Sears and A&E staff at all. You make it sound like I am saying there is Sears staff and then there is A&E staff. That's not what I said.
The only differentiation I am making between Sears and A&E are the names of the business units. I know that A&E is owned by Sears and Whirlpool. In fact, I think I acknowledge that in the 3rd paragraph.
And I know there are a few good technicians that work for A&E. But the problem is the fine reputation of these techs is being tarnished by their colleagues, and also the crappy way corporate chooses to run the business.
I stand beside what I have said all along: consumers are better off avoiding Sears, Kenmore, and A&E Factory Service.
Hello, Brad,
I am relieved to find your site. Great job.
Perhaps you can help us with a question I have. We're one of the many unfortunate people who have dealt with A&E and after many nightmarish experiences finally got a voucher to buy a new machine from ... you guessed it. Sears. :(
So my husband is thinking to buy the extended five year warranty. I don't want to give this company any more money at all.
If we go with the manufacturer's warranty is there an independent company where we can buy a service contract? I'd much prefer to buy one from a company that I can trust than go with this company again.
The irony? We were going to buy the Fisher & Paykel and in the last minute decided to buy Cabrio's top loader at Lowes. Well, as you know, Sears doesn't sell F&P so we're stuck for life it would seem.