Buying a washer/dryer set from Costco

[y_p_w]

My parents asked me to look up what they could get cheap and i remembered that Costco had two Maytag units for $399 ($50 instant rebate) each in store. So we had a look and it seemed OK but they said in store they didn't handle any kind of delivery, installation, or install parts. Definitely not haul-away.

So they were wondering about ordering online and I checked. The exact same models wer $599, but that includes delivery, installation, basic install parts, and hauling away the old appliance.

They have a washer that works, but is a little clunky sometimes. The pawl in the dial control is worn and needs to be squeezed at the arrow pointer that's raised. But I'm thinking they're not necessarily made like that any more and other than the controls it works pretty well. The dryer is one that I fixed a few times when the thermal fuse blew. But at the very least I know how to take it apart. They want to replace it because the heating element seems to have died, although I suppose it could be the thermostat.

I was thinking it might be possible to buy it at Costco, get it into the back of a compact SUV, and transport it. Instead of a haul-away, I figure I could take it apart and take the steel parts to a city recycling center and then toss everything else. They say no major appliances, but they take water heaters. I'm thinking that's not going to be an issue if it's just the sheet metal even if painted.

How workable would my plan be? I think the one thing that might be an issue is that it might need a new cord.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I've bought a few appliances from Costco on-line. Delivery and haul away removes all the hassle. Once there was a return, and they took care of everything.

I once bought a dishwasher while I was in TX for my niece, from a scratch and dent store. Her Odyssey swallowed that thing like nuthin'.

 

[SShooterZ]

Not sure you could get those units in a compact SUV though. I remember filling up the back of my old Suburban with a washer many years ago.

Installing is a piece of cake to be honest. Maybe get a new hose set for the washer.

Here in norther IL, you put an appliance on the curb and the scrappers grab it within hours. No need to do anything except check for change before dumping it.

 

[wavinwayne]

I've bought a few appliances from Costco on-line. Delivery and haul away removes all the hassle...

Same here. This is the route I would suggest.

 

[97prizm]

My parents asked me to look up what they could get cheap and i remembered that Costco had two Maytag units for $399 ($50 instant rebate) each in store. So we had a look and it seemed OK but they said in store they didn't handle any kind of delivery, installation, or install parts. Definitely not haul-away.

So they were wondering about ordering online and I checked. The exact same models wer $599, but that includes delivery, installation, basic install parts, and hauling away the old appliance.

They have a washer that works, but is a little clunky sometimes. The pawl in the dial control is worn and needs to be squeezed at the arrow pointer that's raised. But I'm thinking they're not necessarily made like that any more and other than the controls it works pretty well. The dryer is one that I fixed a few times when the thermal fuse blew. But at the very least I know how to take it apart. They want to replace it because the heating element seems to have died, although I suppose it could be the thermostat.

I was thinking it might be possible to buy it at Costco, get it into the back of a compact SUV, and transport it. Instead of a haul-away, I figure I could take it apart and take the steel parts to a city recycling center and then toss everything else. They say no major appliances, but they take water heaters. I'm thinking that's not going to be an issue if it's just the sheet metal even if painted.

How workable would my plan be? I think the one thing that might be an issue is that it might need a new cord.

I had a great experience with Lowe's. And the use the same company to pick up an haul away. Home Depot uses different companies

 

[loneryder]

My parents asked me to look up what they could get cheap and i remembered that Costco had two Maytag units for $399 ($50 instant rebate) each in store. So we had a look and it seemed OK but they said in store they didn't handle any kind of delivery, installation, or install parts. Definitely not haul-away.

So they were wondering about ordering online and I checked. The exact same models wer $599, but that includes delivery, installation, basic install parts, and hauling away the old appliance.

They have a washer that works, but is a little clunky sometimes. The pawl in the dial control is worn and needs to be squeezed at the arrow pointer that's raised. But I'm thinking they're not necessarily made like that any more and other than the controls it works pretty well. The dryer is one that I fixed a few times when the thermal fuse blew. But at the very least I know how to take it apart. They want to replace it because the heating element seems to have died, although I suppose it could be the thermostat.

I was thinking it might be possible to buy it at Costco, get it into the back of a compact SUV, and transport it. Instead of a haul-away, I figure I could take it apart and take the steel parts to a city recycling center and then toss everything else. They say no major appliances, but they take water heaters. I'm thinking that's not going to be an issue if it's just the sheet metal even if painted.

How workable would my plan be? I think the one thing that might be an issue is that it might need a new cord.

Rent a pickup for a day.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I. have had good experiences with Sam's Club and Lowe's appliance deliveries. I would expect the same quality service from a Costco contract delivery. I no longer try to deal with appliance haul away myself.

 

[y_p_w]

Looking at it, the difficulty is going to be in getting it into the back in the box. I think there's only 30 inches height to work with.

 

[PandaBear]

But I'm thinking they're not necessarily made like that any more and other than the controls it works pretty well. The dryer is one that I fixed a few times when the thermal fuse blew. But at the very least I know how to take it apart. They want to replace it because the heating element seems to have died, although I suppose it could be the thermostat.

I replaced my control and they sell them on eBay. Many close out appliance shops for genuine parts, or from appliance parts pros.

The dryer fuses are consumables and replaced regularly in commercial space. You can test out the dryer element with a meter pretty easily, it is either burnt out or not burnt out.

Most don't stock locally these days other than those specialty stores like Airport Appliances. When my parents need one quick for the tenant they typically go to those places. Nobody wants to waste retail space stocking appliances these days since Sear went out of business. Most delivery guy would take an old appliance away (at a cost). My municipal trash will haul away 2 units a year for free, but I found that typically if I give away stuff for free people will come and take them. Most are used appliance sellers who refurb then sell to house flippers.

 

[fsdork]

Everyone's financial situation is different, but I think it's fair to say for most people who have a place to put a washer and dryer that there are better ways to make or save the cost of delivery and disposal. Then again, I get taking pride in DIY.

It's been a decade and a half, so considerable inflation surely applies - but when I worked for a retailer who sold major appliances, delivery and removal was $50 per unit.

I would look at it from a perspective of total delivered price for the pair. The structure of washer/dryer cost vs. delivery cost may vary from retailer to retailer. I would say shopping a few reputable places and choosing based on the bottom line price is the way to go.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Not a fan of Costco but am a fan of there appliance ordering online.

I did a Maytag washer a year or so ago. Cheap. It works but is really noisy. The delivery and haul away was seemless.

Just got a refrigerator. Same experience. I asked this time and the guy said they only did Costco but were contractors not employees.

Both brought the needed hoses so the originals were replaced.

I wouldn't mess with it. Let them do it.

 

[y_p_w]

I replaced my control and they sell them on eBay. Many close out appliance shops for genuine parts, or from appliance parts pros.

The dryer fuses are consumables and replaced regularly in commercial space. You can test out the dryer element with a meter pretty easily, it is either burnt out or not burnt out.

Most don't stock locally these days other than those specialty stores like Airport Appliances. When my parents need one quick for the tenant they typically go to those places. Nobody wants to waste retail space stocking appliances these days since Sear went out of business. Most delivery guy would take an old appliance away (at a cost). My municipal trash will haul away 2 units a year for free, but I found that typically if I give away stuff for free people will come and take them. Most are used appliance sellers who refurb then sell to house flippers.

Oh - there's a company called Reliable Parts that has a physical store in my area. I've gone there for two thermal fuses and a belt. i'm a little bit frustrated that this thing stopped working in a different manner after I put in all that time to repair it.

 

[walterjay]

I bought a stove from Home depot recently. Used a coupon to get 10% off. Price included delivery. When stove was unboxed it revealed a small scrape and crease on the side. You would never see it when slid into place. Delivery guy reported it and I got an additional $150.00 off. If I had picked it up and unboxed it they may have blamed the damage on me. Let others handle it.

 

[dishdude]

$400 savings is worth renting a U-Haul. W/Ds are easy to move with two people. Does your city offer bulk pickup for appliances? Have to add in new hoses and I always replace the 220v cord as well.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Not a fan of Costco but am a fan of there appliance ordering online.

I did a Maytag washer a year or so ago. Cheap. It works but is really noisy. The delivery and haul away was seemless.

Just got a refrigerator. Same experience. I asked this time and the guy said they only did Costco but were contractors not employees.

Both brought the needed hoses so the originals were replaced.

I wouldn't mess with it. Let them do it.

When I made my first appliance purchase from them a few years ago, I looked into it. Costco had purchased the contractor they used for their appliance delivery, Innovel (from Sears, in fact), but the experience was still very much YMMV.

The delivery and installation my my dryer turned to be a mediocre experience, despite it being a simple job swapping one out from a garage.

First indication that speed was the top priority was the fact that as soon as the truck stopped, and the door rolled up, they lowered the box to the ground and then started quickly unboxing and prepping it right in the middle of the street. Not the empty driveway, nor the empty garage.

They supplied the exhaust ducting and electrical cord, but didn't install a strain relief/clamp.

If you're the the kind to know and care about details, you'll probably be redoing at least some of their work, as I did with the duct.

At least they did give adequate notice and show up when they said they would, which was not always a sure thing according to the experiences I read.

On the whole, I'd still want to avoid the hassle, but keep expectations modest.

 

[SC Maintenance]

When I made my first appliance purchase from them a few years ago, I looked into it. Costco had purchased the contractor they used for their appliance delivery, Innovel (from Sears, in fact), but the experience was still very much YMMV.

The delivery and installation my my dryer turned to be a mediocre experience, despite it being a simple job swapping one out from a garage.

First indication that speed was the top priority was the fact that as soon as the truck stopped, and the door rolled up, they lowered the box to the ground and then started quickly unboxing and prepping it right in the middle of the street. Not the empty driveway, nor the empty garage.

They supplied the exhaust ducting and electrical cord, but didn't install a strain relief/clamp.

If you're the the kind to know and care about details, you'll probably be redoing at least some of their work, as I did with the duct.

At least they did give adequate notice and show up when they said they would, which was not always a sure thing according to the experiences I read.

On the whole, I'd still want to avoid the hassle, but keep expectations modest.

Yes this probably matches my experience. Nothing is perfect. You can pay more and not get perfect.

If the appliance is sitting roughly in place without damage and the old one is gone without damaging my home, I consider this a win at this point. I can pull my own wire and install my own strain relief if needed.

 

[andrew_j]

Will the $200/each kill them as these machines esp washers are quite heavy. No you can’t use an SUV to move them easily. Or did you let the cat out of the bag already?

 

[FZ1]

My parents asked me to look up what they could get cheap and i remembered that Costco had two Maytag units for $399 ($50 instant rebate) each in store. So we had a look and it seemed OK but they said in store they didn't handle any kind of delivery, installation, or install parts. Definitely not haul-away.

So they were wondering about ordering online and I checked. The exact same models wer $599, but that includes delivery, installation, basic install parts, and hauling away the old appliance.

They have a washer that works, but is a little clunky sometimes. The pawl in the dial control is worn and needs to be squeezed at the arrow pointer that's raised. But I'm thinking they're not necessarily made like that any more and other than the controls it works pretty well. The dryer is one that I fixed a few times when the thermal fuse blew. But at the very least I know how to take it apart. They want to replace it because the heating element seems to have died, although I suppose it could be the thermostat.

I was thinking it might be possible to buy it at Costco, get it into the back of a compact SUV, and transport it. Instead of a haul-away, I figure I could take it apart and take the steel parts to a city recycling center and then toss everything else. They say no major appliances, but they take water heaters. I'm thinking that's not going to be an issue if it's just the sheet metal even if painted.

How workable would my plan be? I think the one thing that might be an issue is that it might need a new cord.

You don't want that aggravation. Check for better delivered deals at Best Buy and other stores.

 

[y_p_w]

You don't want that aggravation. Check for better delivered deals at Best Buy and other stores.

They went out and bought a combo to avoid all the hassle.

 

[grasscutter]

I'm saving my pennies up for a TC5003WN. I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford one, but I'm trying.