[Tony&Kat]

Hi everyone,

Was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on the best place (near Auckland / Orewa) to buy electricals like washing machines, irons, kettles, toasters etc? Also are there any decent makes you could recommend and any we should stear clear of?

Thanks

Tony

[Ana&Steve]

For the home electronics including irons, hairdryers, kitchen appliances, and lamps, as well as decor and linens, I might suggest Brisces. www.briscoes.co.nz
They have some crazy sales and an ok return policy, though I couldn't say what quality you are buying.
Ana

[Joolzr]

We looked at Noel Leeming, Bond and Bond and Harvey Norman. Bond and Bond guarrantee to match any other price on the high street.

Choice was fairly limited though. We also tried to negociate a bit but didn't do too well. Delivery was pretty quick though- witin 2/3 days.

Good luck

[IanW99]

We looked at Noel Leeming, Bond and Bond and Harvey Norman. Bond and Bond guarrantee to match any other price on the high street.

Choice was fairly limited though. We also tried to negociate a bit but didn't do too well. Delivery was pretty quick though- witin 2/3 days.

Good luck

Noel Leeming and Bond & Bond are actually the same chain so either should give you a similar price.

Harvey Norman are probably going to give you the biggest choice.

Always worth checking out "the Warehouse" if you aren't looking for the top of the range appliances as they have a really good returns policy.

Wherever you go, do your very best to buy when they have a sale as the prices are much better then. And always ask them what their best price is, even at a sale they will knock even more off if you ask (sometimes they even do if you don't ask :)). Also suggest that you don't just ask them to match other prices but better them (they will if they can).

For washing machines, I would always recommend Bosch but certainly not the cheapest choice.

Ian

[Familyofmonkeys]

When our washing machine and tumble dryer both stopped working beyond repair in the space of 6 weeks we went round all the main electrical places...Noel Leeming, Bond & Bond (both expensive and won't negotiate much), Harvey Norman, Hill Stewart etc. In the end we bought from Hill Stewart.....they gave us the biggest discount and free next day delivery. Other thing we noticed is almost all stores stock the same models and there is very little choice.

[CityBlue]

There is also a good second hand place on Porana road near Wairau and Glenfield etc

Big yellow appliance shed (or something like that). 75 Porana Rd, Glenfield, Auckland Ph: 09 442 4959

This might help:

http://www.applianceshed.co.nz/

[Jo Jo]

I bought my washing machine from this company: http://www.autel.co.nz/

I looked round all the usual suspects, but in the end decided to find a model I liked, and then find out where it was sold, and go from there. Autel were cheaper for the model I wanted than other suppliers, so that's why I chose them.

[Leccy-Lee]

For washing machines, I would always recommend Bosch but certainly not the cheapest choice.

I agree Ian, them or Miele.
Both German Companies, and i always say the German are the worlds best at Engineering (All my power and handtools are German ;) )
That said Miele's top machine is about $4200 though ! :exit

[Tony&Kat]

Cheers Guys for all the excellent links and info, I'll start my search now!! - Just trying to do a bit of prep work before we arrive in October!!

Thanks for that,

Tony

[Tony&Kat]

Just one other quick question, Does anyone know if top-loading washing machines are ok? are they just as good as the front loading ones, there seems to be a fair bit of difference in the price between top-loaders and front loaders, top loaders being a lot cheaper.

Thanks

Tony

[Jo Jo]

I think it's fair to say opinion is divided on this matter.

consumer.org.nz says this:


Top or front loader?

When you buy a washing machine, the first big choice is between a front loader and a top loader.

Top loaders with a central agitator, which is by far the most popular sort in New Zealand, get clothes clean by vigorously swirling them back and forth in the water. This removes dirt quickly, but it also wears out the clothes. Top loaders are faster (although most front loaders usually have a fast cycle.) It's also usually easier to add extra items to a top loader once the wash is on, although you can still do it with some front loaders.

Front loaders work by gently turning the clothes over and over in a cycle action. This also gets the clothes clean and it uses less energy and water (on a warm or hot wash) - but it takes a lot longer. They are more gentle on clothes (although top loaders usually have a delicate cycle), and almost always rate highly in our tests. You can also have a dryer stacked directly on top.



source (http://www.consumer.org.nz/topic.asp?docid=1116&category=Appliances&subcategory=Laundry%20%26%20cleaning&topic=Washing%20machines&title=Checklist&contenttype=buyers%20guide)

I chose a front loader because it's gentler on the clothes and more energy and water efficient. On consumer.org.nz of the 10 highest rated washing machines, 7 are front loaders. The model I bought came out top in their tests: Electrolux EWF1495. You can read the report here (http://www.consumer.org.nz/topic.asp?docid=1116&category=Appliances&subcategory=Laundry%20%26%20cleaning&topic=Washing%20machines) (though you might have to be a subscriber to read it).

[Leccy-Lee]

Heres a "Non-Domesticated" Blokes opinion! LOL

Having always had front-loaders in UK and now we use a top-loader over here i find my dust covered work-clothes and overalls and far cleaner here in the top loader. Another thing i notice is that i wash in cold water here without any noticeable difference.
Odd..

[Jon&Candy]

There's also a much bigger choice of washing powder for top loaders. Front loaders use different washing powder with less suds, but I've only seen one variety each of Persil & Bold.
One other thing to consider is that front loaders are generally more space-efficient as you're able to put things on top of them. With a top loader, you have to leave a big space above them to get the clothes in & out.

[Tony&Kat]

Cheers for the help on that - Top-loaders sound alright to me apart from them wearing out the clothes quicker. I think once we're over there we'll have a look at a few different models of front and top loaders and make the decision then, plenty of information to go at now though!

Thanks

Tony

[Grey Granite]

Hiya

My hubby worked in an outdoor store for 13 years and he says that most of the testing of the gear was done using top loaders as they are a lot harder on your clothes than front loaders....

Put it like this, I am taking my 2nd hand hotpoint front loader with me! (We havent got much BIG stuff to take, so I reckon its worth it!). I've also acquired a Bosch fridge freezer here (2 yrs old) for £100 and not a mark on it!

I've just acquired an ex-display built in oven for my new (bought a year ago!!) Ikea kitchen (still flat packed) and we are taking that too! I got a £350 oven for £166 (sweeeeeeeeet!)

And, I am going back to Ikea Glasgow this weekend to pick up a hob too!
Mrs G

[KerryS]

The main reason that top loaders cause more wear and tear on clothing is that many of them have a central agitator in the middle of the drum. If you get a model without, then it should be fine.
One thing I love about a top loader is that you can just open it mid-cycle to pop in that odd sock you've dropped on the way to the laundry... or is it just me who does things like that!
The cycles are also incredibly fast in comparison to a front loader. I have an economy button on mine, which does a full wash in only 20 minutes, which is faster than any front loader I've owned.

Most NZ houses have a separate laundry room, or have the washing machine in the bathroom rather than the kitchen, so this may also have an influence on what you decide.

[sweetpea]

We have a Samsung top loader without an agitator, easier on clothes but still takes heaps of electricity to run. (It has a 1.5/6 energy star rating - ouch!) It was the least expensive machine to buy that didn't look like a cheap toy, though, so the fact that it's still working after 2 years is a plus! And with a 6.5 kg capacity...

What I love about it is the tune that plays at the end of the cycle - yes, a happy little 60 second song! Also, it has a "Magic Filter," a lint filter which actually has sparkles (!!!) embedded in its plastic.

Yep, I'm easily amused. :)

[CityBlue]

We have a Samsung top loader without an agitator, easier on clothes but still takes heaps of electricity to run. (It has a 1.5/6 energy star rating - ouch!) It was the least expensive machine to buy that didn't look like a cheap toy, though, so the fact that it's still working after 2 years is a plus! And with a 6.5 kg capacity...

What I love about it is the tune that plays at the end of the cycle - yes, a happy little 60 second song! Also, it has a "Magic Filter," a lint filter which actually has sparkles (!!!) embedded in its plastic.

Yep, I'm easily amused. :)

We have the exact same model - fantastic machine that hasnt ruined any clothes in well over a years worth of use so far.

My wife hates the tune though because it means its time to hang up all the wet washing!

[KerryS]

We have a Samsung top loader without an agitator, easier on clothes but still takes heaps of electricity to run. (It has a 1.5/6 energy star rating - ouch!) It was the least expensive machine to buy that didn't look like a cheap toy, though, so the fact that it's still working after 2 years is a plus! And with a 6.5 kg capacity...

What I love about it is the tune that plays at the end of the cycle - yes, a happy little 60 second song! Also, it has a "Magic Filter," a lint filter which actually has sparkles (!!!) embedded in its plastic.

Yep, I'm easily amused. :)


I think that must be the same one I have - that tune drives me batty! I've had mine for about 4 years now and it's still going...

[Tony&Kat]

Wow, toploaders all the way it is then - I guess for the price they sound well worth it. And a definate bonus that you can add stuff as you go along, as I too always seem to drop stuff on the way during transit!!

And cheers for the technical advice about the central agitator, I'll definately use this to help with our decision!

Thanks

Tony

[IanW99]

Wow, toploaders all the way it is then - I guess for the price they sound well worth it. And a definate bonus that you can add stuff as you go along, as I too always seem to drop stuff on the way during transit!!

And cheers for the technical advice about the central agitator, I'll definately use this to help with our decision!

Thanks

Tony

Interesting that you now think that top loaders are the way to go?

Was there any particular reason that swayed your opinion?

This thread on Front loading washing machines (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18448) you may find interesting.

If you are thinking about a top loader simply down to price then you may want to re-consider this choice. A top loader may save you money in the short term but over the life of the machine a front loader wins every time.

Ian

[sweetpea]

If you are thinking about a top loader simply down to price then you may want to re-consider this choice. A top loader may save you money in the short term but over the life of the machine a front loader wins every time.

I totally agree with Ian. While I love my singsong, sparkly top loader, I had a front loader in the States and it used much less water and electricity and was just generally great. The low price I paid for the top loader was a bit of false economy, in hindsight. I probably should have mentioned that in my first post :)

[Tony&Kat]

OK cheers for that, I think I'll reconsider my options then. We've had front loaders our whole lives in the UK and know that we can rely on them. I think we'll pay that little bit extra then once we are over there and get a front loader, especially if they are better on lecky and water etc.

Cheers

Tony