[katezbox]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

Kate, that is funny! We got our consumer reports yesterday and this months issue has all the major kitchen appliances, and GE is in the top 3 in everything. I guess it just depends.

Mark,

Part of the issue with consumer reports is that the models GE makes for Home Depot are different than those thy make for dealers and they are sometimes different from those sold through contractors. They change the models so fast that you can't always get the one that CR has recommended - and the next model may be awful! Also our global economy has major companies outsourcing parts all over - and the compressor on the line tomorrow may be different from the one used today.

I think the best way to buy appliances is to talk to the repair guys like Doug. They know what is working reliably consistently time after time.

Your point about Sears before is well taken. I think Sears is a bit like TV. They don't manufacture the appliances they sell - just as TV does not self-perform construction of the houses here. But manufacturers know that to provide Sears with their private label (Kenmore) brand is a phenomenal revenue stream. So the builders TV uses makes sure the homes are well built - who would like to lose that contract? And the same happens with Kenmore... JMO.

k