Washer/Dryer: Purchased

Well, I officially feel like a grown up. Today, I purchased my first washer/dryer. It's real. It's happening. After installation next Saturday, I will be able to wash my clothes. In my apartment. Holy cow. Here's a picture of my cute little guy, which I bought at the Sears Outlet store in Hayward. Full story below, but feel free to skip to the end if you don't want the boring details.

First, I tried the Airport Appliances Liquidation Event, where I had heard they had them for $699. They did not have what I needed (24-inches wide, stacked/stackable, gas dryer). They referred me to their main store, where they also didn't have what I was looking for (though they said they could order it for me - apparently what I needed was special and rare or something). They did however, have free donuts. AND hot dogs (being grilled outside, with buns warmed in one of their demo ovens, served with sauerkraut and pickles in addition to the usual ketchup, mustard, relish). AND fresh-baked cookies (baked in a demo oven). These folks know what they're doing. The saleswoman was very helpful and knew her stuff, but I didn't feel quite right paying $1060.00 + $79.95 delivery + $17 for the extra tubes or pipes or whatever. I wanted to keep looking, and told her I think I saw it cheaper at Sears. She said she used to work at Sears, and if it was cheaper there, she totally understood me buying it there.

Soooo we went to the Sears Outlet (hooray for seeing the outlet before going into the main store), where I found two stacked 24-inch gas washer/dryer units. One was used-but-tested, for $790.00. The other, brand new, for $870.00. Both had cosmetic damages (a few small scratches here and there), but the used one had a broken lint trap that was also very disgusting (grimy, dirty, grossness). I ended up going with the brand new one. Figured it was worth the $80 to have everything fully functional and clean, right? Right.

After adding in delivery/installation and the neccessary accoutrements (dryer vent, gas connector, etc), the grand total was around $1,100.00 The same as one month's rent. But it was much cheaper buying it at the outlet for $870.00 instead of online for $999.99 or at Airport Appliance for $1060.00 or wherever it sells at the list price of $1249.99.

OOF. It's a lot of money. But it's worth it. This is the unit I ended up with, and I can't wait to get started using it. I requested delivery/installation for next Saturday, and am now just waiting to get confirmation from the delivery/installation company. I hope it sticks and everything goes smoothly...I have a lot of laundry to do! :-)