[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Was that in Florida?

Yes, at Mallory Square in TV.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by Velvet

So in contrast let me tell when we got the washer and dryer from Costco 5 years ago. They came on time and we had a third party installer. He came when promised, hooked up everything, left me the papers and was on his way. I tried a load after he left and the floor was getting wetter and wetter. I called the number he gave me, he answered said he was on his way to Orlando but he circled back and tightened the hose at the back of the washer. He tested it again and again. Then wrote his private cell number on my papers to make sure I’d call him if there were any further problems. There weren’t. But the next day I got a call from him asking me if the everything was alright. He said I could call him anytime and he’d come.

Perhaps Costco changed installers since then, but I’ve never had better service.

Is that five years ago, pre-covid? My experience is that service across the board went to hell during covid and never fully rebounded. I have a fridge coming from Costco this coming Wednesday. I've always found third-party installs and deliveries to be wonky, so we're leaving the fridge and freezer fully stocked until the truck shows up and the unit is unpacked and inspected in the driveway. Yes -- THEY get to wait while we prepare for them. I'm Mr. Prepared, but when it comes to things beyond my control, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We're very efficient, so the unit will be emptied in less than ten minutes -- perhaps less than five.

Last thing. Before I ordered from Costco, I pinged my local community on Google groups and got nothing but positive feedback on quality, delivery, and service. I have returned big-ticket items to Costco in the past and they take it back months later with no questions asked. So, hopefully, we'll have a top-notch, quality experience and the delivery people will be tipped in cash.

Now, bring on all the naysayers that tell me I'm not supposed to tip. All I can say is, "Watch 'My Blue Heaven' with Steve Martin."

Happy Saturday!

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by JohnN

I'm glad posting the experience made you feel better.

I'm glad posting their experience informed their fellow citizens. You see how that works? You made them selfish. I made them selfless. The difference? Perspective.

Now I've made you selfish. Which makes me? LOL!!!

You cannot win on this (or any) site.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I would have just hooked up gas line and checked for leaks with soapy water. But that’s me. I know how tight stuff supposed to be. if I don’t I have torque wrenches and degree meter.

IMO All you can do give the 3rd party installer bad review AFTER their done. With enough bad reviews maybe Costco will go with more reliable installers?

He's not rating their install work. He's rating their dependability. He can still come back and say, "Despite being highly undependable and disingenuous, their installation work was top-notch."

And he does not even have to walk and chew gum at the same time. Right now, he's walking. After the installation is complete, he can chew gum.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Sorry for your terrible experience. Thanks for sharing.

If this was me I would have called the store and cancelled the order. The installers were wrong and unprofessional and I would have not dealt with them.

Considering that he had already gotten rid of the previous range, it was a sunk-cost situation. Was he supposed to go a full month living on microwave pizza?

Sometimes, we have to roll with the punches. But, thankfully, we can opine about our experience in places like this so others can judge us for how do things with no real thought behind their knee-jerk reactions. Much like what I am doing now! LOL!!

Let he, who is sinless, ...

[Rocksnap]

Sad part is, gas lines are extremely easy to install. It may be the Costco policy to have.a ‘qualified’ installer, but there is nothing in State or local code that says so.
A lil pipe dope, and soapy water, or nose, for the leak check. Good to go.

[bowlingal]

I would have just called another company to install after all this nonsense. A qualified plumber could have done it

[budforlife]

We purchased all kitchen appliances from Costco last week. They were installed this week on the date and time scheduled for installation. Secondary appointment was needed for dishwasher and microwave installation. The second installer scheduled at the same time as delivery, showed up on time, did a great job and even a little extra project for me. Communication was great, install was great and we are happy and saved quite a bit.

[spachic]

When we bought our house in St. Catherine back in 2021, we had Lowe’s install our gas dryer. We had a slow gas leak for several weeks before our homewatch person noticed the smell. We had Leesburg utilities come out and tell us they are always glad to hook up gas appliances for you because they have had a lot of problems with third-party installers, not doing it correctly. if you have Leesburg as your utilities, give them a call and see if they’ll come out and connect your gas line.

[Accidental1]

We had a positive experience with a washer/gas dryer install from Costco. Unlike the OP, both installers were on time and did a great job.

[elle123]

Originally Posted by Innserelli

Well, I bought a gas range on Costco.com (online). Costco delivered the range on time. Great. A third party vendor was required to hook up the gas line to the stove, Elite Install Service. The day before the scheduled service, Elite called with a scheduling conflict. They wanted to come the following day. It was inconvenient for us since we had cleared our schedules for this service, but I agreed for them to come the following day between 8-11 am. At noon I called them to ask where they were. The woman said they would be there between 1-5pm the same day AS SCHEDULED and inferred I was a liar. OK, 1-5. Again, they did not show up and they did not call to let me know. I called Costco Customer service. The rep said it was unfortunate but the notes from Elite said that I had a conflict so they rescheduled to Monday! This was a lie and definitely CYA. Now, we have been without a stove for over a week and now another 5 day delay. I asked the Costco rep if I could be placed in priority and get the job done tomorrow. Nope. Unfortunately scheduling problems come up and they can't change the schedule. Note that Elite changed the schedule as convenient for them, but for me it was unfortunate. Sorry. Too bad for us.(she didn't say that last bit.)
I'm guessing that Elite is the install company for this general area, so just a note of caution for all you Costco fans. Actually I am still a Costco fan, but I feel this was wrong and they could have done more to make it right, but, tsk tsk, it was just "unfortunate". If I knew of other places to to post this I would.
OK, I know this was long and boring, but I feel better now.

I hope the few dollars you saved was worth the aggravation.

[Carlsondm]

We had a similar problem with a grumpy guy from Elite Install. It’s them. I reported it to Costco. Water hookup to a dryer. So sorry!

[Veracity]

Please report back once the installation is complete so that we can hear how this unfortunate story ends.

[Ptmcbriz]

Call any plumbing company and they install the gas stove. Usually you can get a plumber in 24 hours. That’s what we did for our gas stove. Plumbers handle gas connections.

[Marmaduke]

Originally Posted by SaucyJim

Is that five years ago, pre-covid? My experience is that service across the board went to hell during covid and never fully rebounded. I have a fridge coming from Costco this coming Wednesday. I've always found third-party installs and deliveries to be wonky, so we're leaving the fridge and freezer fully stocked until the truck shows up and the unit is unpacked and inspected in the driveway. Yes -- THEY get to wait while we prepare for them. I'm Mr. Prepared, but when it comes to things beyond my control, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We're very efficient, so the unit will be emptied in less than ten minutes -- perhaps less than five.

Last thing. Before I ordered from Costco, I pinged my local community on Google groups and got nothing but positive feedback on quality, delivery, and service. I have returned big-ticket items to Costco in the past and they take it back months later with no questions asked. So, hopefully, we'll have a top-notch, quality experience and the delivery people will be tipped in cash.

Now, bring on all the naysayers that tell me I'm not supposed to tip. All I can say is, "Watch 'My Blue Heaven' with Steve Martin."

Happy Saturday!

Very wise, well thought out pre-expectations as well as Due Dilligence! Were you a Boy Scout? Be Prepared!

The Delivery People will be happy with your "No Tax on Tips" tip too! Nice post.