Major appliances online

Clients frequently ask which local appliance stores I recommend. Consumer Reports actually did a study of stores in June 2013, showing how much appliance shopping had moved online, even for large items. Highest rated will ship to the bay area: ABT Electronics and Appliances (score: 93), followed by Amazon (90), and Nebraska Furniture Mart (90). Best ranked local brick and mortars: Costco (89, though poor selection), Lowes (85), Best Buy (84), and Home Depot (84).

Ratings were based on price, selection, in-store service, checkout ease, website usability, shipping, installation, and haul-away. Rankings had remained quite consistent for the previous half dozen years.