Able Appliance

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unknown

I am making this report now (it's been a very long time) because Angie's list is new (wasn't around then) and I feel it needs to be said. Sorry about the length, it's a necessary evil. I have attempted to be as fair and honest as possible in my wording, and to remove hostility. I went to Able Appliances to purchase a new washer and dryer set for my house. I was enticed by an ad in the paper touting $100 each, which I later found was the "clunkers", the rest (majority) are a little higher. There are no prices on anything, just verbal prices tossed out of the owner's head (can't remember his name). "How much for this set" I would ask, and he would mull it around a few seconds and toss a number out. I ended up paying $400 for a little nicer set that happened to match (very few are actually paired with a matching mate). I also paid the requisite fee for delivery, after telling him how far and being given a quote of, I believe, $25.00. Having made the purchase and paid the bill, we agreed upon a delivery time for later that afternoon, he had an opening...how nice. I went home and prepared for the new arrivals. About 30 minutes before he was set to arrive, the gentleman called to get directions. I advised him on the location and best route to take, which was met with an audible groan and whine. After asking him if he was in fact all right, I was provided with around 20 excuses (in about 5 minutes) on why there was no way I was going to get the machines tonight, and that I actually did not pay enough for delivery. At this point I figured I was going to have to play hardball. I retaliated with a barrage of reasons that he was in fact going to deliver that night, and why I was not going to pay a penny more. After another 5 minutes of arguing, I was told he would be about an hour. Great, I won. After about an hour he arrived at my house, wearing a huge chip on his shoulder, speaking one word sentences, and generally avoiding my comments. The machines were wrestled from the truck and into my basement with reckless abandon, if it weren't for dollies with straps they might not have survived the trip. They would not hook up or test the machines, that was up to me, which was disappointing, but I would survive. Then, as they hauled-b*** out the door, I made note that they had not removed the old units from the basement (hey, they have the dolly!). I was met with a resistance like I had never known. A flurry of activity ensued and the units were parked on the lawn within 3 minutes. The old units were headed to my brother's place for him to use, the real reason for the purchase in the first place. I barely had time to say "thanks for nothing" before they were burning rubber down the road. I turned my attention to the old units in preparation for transit and found that they were marred and a panel was knocked loose from the front of the washer (we were never able to reattach it) and the door knob was knocked clean off the dryer (also not easily fixed). They also left a few minor marks on my woodwork and in my plaster where they hastily pulled up and out around a corner. Overall, the experience was much less than pleasant. Granted the machines worked as promised, they were clean and in good shape, and they are still working fine to this day. I do not have a problem with the product. Advertised price comes to mind, and I just think bait-and-switch (sort of). My real problem is with customer service and tact, something this gentleman is sorely lacking. It seems that when the money changed hands, moods changed. I was done had, and that's that. If you promise to deliver for a price (based on distance) at a specific time (after closing time) then you better live up to it or grovel. You do not verbally abuse and/or argue with a customer on what was agreed upon. If you are fuming when you arrive on-site you leave the chip on the dash of your truck. You don't snub your customer and damage his property with actions done in haste. And last, you don't leave without thanking your customer. It's just proper etiquette. I will not be purchasing another item from Able Appliances. I also have made it a point to alert all my friends and acquaintances of my experience in hopes that they will not make the same mistake. I discourage anyone from visiting this establishment. There are several other used appliance stores in Carbondale (won't mention names) that are honorable and provide a level of service I would consider to be excellent. Look in the yellow pages and shop around, do your homework and sleep on it. On a side note, an observation... Able Appliances has hundreds of machines lying around under tarps, in sheds, and out in the elements. There is a good likelihood that the machine you by has had some surgery, has been "Frankensteined" together, as Able buys machines working or not from the public. When I was making my selection I was given nifty stories about "Granny Smith owned this one" and "Mother Theresa hardly used this one". Deal with Able like you would a used car lot, you are going to be tossed a line and you are going to have to decide for yourself the validity of that story. I really think I was told just what I wanted to hear, and that price was set based on my level of interest in that particular product on that particular day. Buyer beware.