Definitely ask for a price match, if he wants the business he'll work with you. You shouldn't become emotionally indebted to anyone your doing business with, if he's a savvy bus. man he'll understand the value of your purchases and that $$ is $$. If he starts giving you some song and dance I would back off. I live in a small rural community and work hard to use locals, most understand and can use the business even at a competitive price point but they also need to understand they aren't the only game around.

Ask the locals what they can do to get closer. Maybe they can install or discount harder.

Since they didn't mention the rebates, you won't have to feel quite so guilty if it doesn't work out. :)

But I would at least give the locals a chance to be more competitive.

Ask to see if they'll come down and even meet you halfway. Remember, you may need them to service your machines.

Ditto. I felt this way about using a local appliance dealer. I showed them the prices online, and they matched them. I think if they'd even come close, I'd still have purchased from the local guy.

Elux, as I remember, doesn't allow prices differences, or at least they didn't in 2011. I got Elux ovens, and the price was the same everywhere. If there's a rebate, they should be able to give it to you.

Home Depot as well as Lowes carries Elux appliances.

Electrolux allows coupons and storewide sales to be used for Elux appliances therefore UMRP is ignored and there is price competition.

You don't need a local store for warranty or service. You call the manufacture and 99% of customers have several choices for appliance repair if you are not buying obscure luxury brands.

AJM has a brick and mortar store in Brooklyn with associated rent, employees and taxes. I also think they are a family owned business.

AJM also pays web designers and servers that give customers excellent way to research. As MizLizzie used to find about rebates.

I would be willing to pay a small premium to a local business with an excellent customer service reputation. If the manufacture does not give you satisfactory service sometimes the local dealer can act as an advocate for you. And I rather complain in person than by email/phone. That seems to get matters resolved at a higher rate.

I would not pay a premium to a local business because I feel indebted because they gave me a quote and answered a phone call and email.

I would feel fine being at the "mercy" of retailers that compete and ship nationally like AJM,ABT, Abes of Main, as well as Fergusson, Best Buy, Sears, Lowes, and Home Depot.

I am glad there are a few folks not watching the game tonight. ;-)

Yes, I was shocked at the disparity in prices being quoted on the Elux 30" single oven (Wave Touch) but they are all over the board.

I do think this particular dealer helps quite a lot with service. He did say that if ever I needed service, I was to call them, and they would set everything up for me. They do this for all their brands, he said, except LG, which they had found too hard to work with. In fact, they do not put LG on the floor for his reason, he said, but will order it if a customer insists.

I live in an area that is growing fast, and many of the big builders deal through this particular shop, I think.

Well, I wouldn't factor the tax at all because you are supposed to pay it yourself. I have seen at least one story, I think here, where a tax bill arrived for out of state purchase of appliances that had not been reported and paid. Now how strictly that's enforced I'm sure varies greatly, but in theory it needs to be paid.

If that $1000 contains rebates not mentioned, those should be factored out too as your purchase locally should qualify too. Most rebates are not supplier specific, many are manufacturer rebates (though on occasion I have seen some big box stores excluded, presumably due to the prices they sell at). There could be a reason the rebates were not mention, from he didnt think you were near the purchasing stage, to he didn't want you to feel pressured by a rebate deadline, to he tries to help select the best fit for your needs before discussing monetary incentives that may skew your decision.

Give them a call, they will probably work with you a bit.

ITA on the taxes, honestly. I think everyone should have to collect them to level the playing field. But the rebates, yes, I factored them into my math, and both my local store and AJM are eligible. They are direct-from-mfg rebates from Bosch and Elux. The only stores ineligible seem to be Lowes, HD, Sears and BestBuy.

I think PaintedLady has the right strategy. Ask them to split the difference with me. I will get that back in goodwill, I think, from my contractor. I hope they will do it.

I don't know how long you've been looking, but rebates typically come and go--and they definitely weren't mentioned to me during the pricing/shopping process until almost the end (this comes from a washer/dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher buying experience). But ask them about the rebates.

I think you should expect competitive, but not the absolute lowest prices from local shops that do a good job. You said they took the time to explain stuff, and maybe they prevented you from making a mistake in your purchase. An appliance dealer that does their homework and yours is worth some extra cost to me. While AJM might be able to provide some of those services, and I definitely check out their website, I have a hard time buying from them. There is too much "what if".

One more thing to consider ... The value of a responsive, local dealer becomes important down the line if repairs are needed. Around here, dealers increasingly service only the appliances they've sold. The big stores aren't always as efficient or reliable on servicing.

Thanks, Julieb and starboard. ITA on all points. There is a security in knowing you can go look someone in the face if something goes wrong, and knowing that they will arrange service if needed.