Purchasing an appliance is one of the greatest commitments you can make in your home. “It’s the beginning of a long relationship — sometimes 10 to 20 years,” says Jason Goldan, owner of Barry’s Appliance in Bridgewater. Goldan, whose grandfather started the family in the appliance business and who took over when his father, Barry, retired, has been raised on the art of helping homeowners select the right appliances for their unique needs and providing exceptional service after their purchase. For a half-century, Goldan and four generations of his family have prided themselves on educating customers so they make the right decisions for their unique situations. Here, Goldan discusses what you should consider when purchasing an appliance.
Where You Buy. You want to purchase your appliance from a business that will educate you and ask the appropriate qualifying questions to help you narrow your choices to what will work best for you. The business should offer a competitive price and exceptional customer service. They should want to build a relationship with you that extends beyond the sale. Our motto is “Exceeding Expectations.” We work to earn the customers’ trust and make the process streamlined, seamless and easy. Our customers know if there is an issue, they only need to make one call and we work to resolve it.
What Fits Your Needs. With so many options available, selecting an appliance can be overwhelming. Professionals can help you narrow your choices to two or three appliances from which you can select whichever works in terms of cost, style and quality. I tell customers that how an appliance looks is also very important because they will be looking at the appliance far more than they will be using it.
Cost and Quality. Most people buy an appliance somewhere in the middle of the price range. They might not be able to afford the $15,000 sub-zero refrigerator that will last 30 years, but they also often don’t want the entry-level product that might last only five years. So, more often than not, customers will pay a little more for an appliance that is better quality and will last 10 to 15 years on average.
Energy Efficiency. Appliances are already much more efficient than they were in prior years and must meet strict Department of Energy standards. Dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators are rated on energy efficiency. The most efficient are Energy Star rated. However, consider this: An Energy Star refrigerator might cost $62 a year to run, versus only $72 for a refrigerator without the rating. That extra $10 a year is usually not a customer’s deciding factor.
How Appliances Work. This is where working with professionals who can educate you is important. For example, people will come into the store with the thought of buying a top-loading washing machine without an agitator. However, washing machines need agitation and water to clean clothing. Many of these machines only use enough water to saturate the clothing. Clothes will not get as clean because they can’t get as agitated as a machine with an agitator that fills with water. People think these types of washers have a gigantic capacity when in reality if you were to fill that machine all the way to the top with clothes, it really won’t clean them as well as an agitator-based machine.
What Bells and Whistles You Really Need. Remember: the more features an appliance has, the more likely it will need service.
Trends. Stainless steel remains the most popular style, but otherwise the trend has moved from glossy, textured black or white to flat, matte black or white. People are customizing color and hardware on models that allow it. They also are putting custom wooden panels on appliances or ordering custom colors to match their décor. For example, Samsung offers the Bespoke line of refrigerators, which allows you to interchange the panels to a desired pattern or color. It even has an option that you can draw on with a dry erase marker.
Maintenance Will Make Appliances Last Longer. Clean the filters on your dishwasher. If your dishwasher has a water softener option, use it to reduce the minerals that can do damage to internal components. Vacuum the coil on your refrigerator to allow proper ventilation. Clean your oven twice a year and keep the cooktop surface clean from debris and grease buildup, which is ultimately the demise of igniters on gas cooktop surfaces.
Did you know: Barry’s corporate chef Barbara Markowitz runs events and cooking classes most Fridays. “It’s a meal and wine pairing. She is a Paris-trained chef, who has worked for the Cooking Channel and has been featured in many magazines,” says Goldan. “It’s a fun learning experience and the best food you’ll ever eat.”
Learn more about appliances, cooking classes and delicious grilling recipes at barrysappliance.com.
Grilled Chicken Shawarma
2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp cumin, ground
2 tbsp coriander, ground
8 garlic cloves,minced
2 tsp kosher salt and black pepper
6 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ginger, ground
2 tsp allspice
Preheat grill to 375° F. In a food processor, add marinade ingredients and pulse to form a paste. Rub on chicken until well-coated. Grill for 12 minutes. Serve with rice or pita bread.
