Tag Archives: customer service

Don’t Put Foil In the Oven

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Maybe your grandma used to use tinfoil to line her oven floor to aid cleanup.

But times have changed; tinfoil is no longer made of tin. The stuff you use to shield your ham is actually aluminum foil, which has a lower heat tolerance.

The high temperatures of your oven floor can actually cause the foil to melt right onto that oven surface.

And you can’t clean it off.

aluminum foil in ovenWe’ve had Warners’ Stellian  customers spend hundreds of dollars replacing the oven floor on relatively new ranges because of this well-intentioned mistake.

Instead, aluminum foil-makers suggest you line the oven rack you’re using with aluminum foil rather than lining the oven itself.

HOW TO: Shop the Warners’ Stellian Warehouse Sale 2011 like a pro

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I’m reposting this now-classic blog because hey, why reinvent the wheel? These tips remain relevant for the Warners’ Stellian Extreme Warehouse Sale 2011. Measure twice and cut once, people.

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Here are some Extreme Warehouse Sale pros, lined up before the doors open.

What is it with us Midwesterners and our deal-bragging? You know: upon receiving a compliment we gloat about the gasp-worthy low price we got it for, unsolicited. Perhaps it’s because we fancy ourselves pro deal hunters.

But our Extreme Warehouse Sale 2011 this Saturday and Sunday is no Macy’s clearance rack. I’m talkin’ big-ticket items at huge discounts: you need to prepare a bit. The savings are so hot, all sales are final.

Luckily for you, I’ve compiled the secrets of the pros — tips that will prepare any appliance rookie for the big league.

Before the sale

Measure your space
Don’t learn the hard way: there is no “standard” in appliance sizes. Use a measuring tape on the available space — not the existing appliance — and write down dimensions to bring to the sale.

Also — and this is HUGE — measure the width of the doorways and staircases the appliance will need to travel through. Some door frames can be removed, but it’s often that someone buys a washer only to find it doesn’t fit down her narrow basement staircase.

Know your fuel type
This might seem obvious if you’re buying a cooking appliance like a range or cooktop (is it flat, coiled or does it have grates? Duh.). But you should double-check whether you have a gas or electric hookup when buying a dryer or oven.

Consider your hinges
For example, some refrigerators on sale will be left hinge only. Wouldn’t it be terrible to find a great deal on a fridge only to get it home and not be able to open it? Also know what side you want the hinges on a front-load washer and any type of dryer, in case there’s an option.

Do some research
We’ll have more than 2,000 appliances available at the start of the sale, so have something in mind to avoid frustration. The best tip? Know what you like and don’t like about your existing model. Check out our website for more ideas on what features are important to you.

The day of the sale

Bring a hauling vehicle
Usually, we offer free delivery on purchases $499 and above, but this sale is anything but usual. Our warehouse is full of products, so we encourage customers to take their purchases with them the day of the sale. We’ll help you load it up and everything.

If you do choose to have it delivered, it’s $75 and you must take delivery within 14 days.

Know your schedule
We’ll arrange for delivery and any installation for built-in appliances (available for additional charges) at the time of sale. We’ll call you the day before the delivery with an AM/PM estimate and our crew can call you before they arrive if you need to meet them at your house.

Pack a stroller
Our warehouse is a warehouse. It’s clean and safe, but it’s also big and crowded and without a play area. Strollers work well to keep small children nearby when you’re shopping the selection. We have coloring stations and movies once you get to checkout to keep meltdowns at bay.

After the sale

Receive delivery/install time estimate
You’ll receive a call with an three-hour window estimate the night before your scheduled delivery and/or install.

Apply for rebates
You could qualify for even more savings by rebate. Once you receive your product, you can fill in the serial number (the delivery crew can help you locate this) on your rebate forms and submit them promptly, as they expire.

Read your manual
Knowing your new product can help you save time and improve the quality of your cooking and cleaning. Stow it somewhere memorable to refer to for troubleshooting and general operation questions.

Don’t ignore accessories
If you get a dishwasher, buy rinse aid to help dry your dishes. If you buy a smooth-top electric range, you’ll want cooktop cleaner to keep it looking new. Your refrigerator water filter will need to be replaced every six to 12 months. And please, for the sake of your breathing, don’t overstuff your vacuum bags!

Visit my blog
I attack the FAQs plaguing our industry. Hard-hitting issues like, Troubleshoot (almost) any dishwasher problems and HOW TO: change a refrigerator water filter. It’s also an easy way to reach me if you need help. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about the next Extreme Sale!

Well-versed In Customer Appreciation

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Artist’s rendering of customer

Yesterday, we received pretty much the sweetest letter from a customer in recent memory.

Not only did it remind us how great our customer service department is, it rhymed (well, mostly).

We’re so very appreciative of our customers that we’re delighted whenever the sentiment is returned.

We’re publishing the poem with you here, because it’s too cute to be shared with only an envelope:

I arose this morning
Happy as can be
Went into my kitchen
And what did I see?

Water all over
My nice clean floor
I opened my refrigerator
And couldn’t believe what I saw

A small lake in the bottom
Some frozen, some melted
I dashed for the phone
I really needed help

Tomorrow, they said,
My fridge would be fixed
I said OK
My popsicles melted off their sticks

I called back again
And with Lauren in St. Paul I pleaded,
Oh somehow can my fridge get fixed today?
And by gosh she conceded and they were on their way.

An hour or so later
Mike & Bill did arrive
When the truck pulled up
I was so happy I almost cried

What a great team
They saw the problem right away
Out came the tools
And eventually, the ice melted away

What a great company
to do business with
Which I have for many years
Give a toast to your employees, use champagne not beer

I wanted you to know
What great people work for you
Anytime stop by for a cold one
The bottles are cold thanks to your crew

Regards, Mike

Seriously, customers. Any time you offer creative appreciation AND beer, you have our attention 🙂

Warners’ Stellian Delivery Crews Go Above and Beyond

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Our customers frequently gush about their experience with our delivery and installation crews. We hear about how professional and courteous our delivery crew members are. But most importantly, they’re ours (most appliance companies outsource these services), meaning they undergo background checks and appreciate the responsibility of representing Warners’ Stellian.

We recently found this thank you card a customer sent with some pictures she snapped of our employees, Tim and Tony, tackling a particularly challenging project.

Mr. Warner,

Your two employees did a great job getting the old machines out and Maytag stackable washer and dryer in.

The outstanding part came when they tried to connect the dryer vent. I’m including pictures so you can see what good employees you have.

I thank Warners’ Stellian for years of good service and especially Tony F. and Tim B.

Sincerely, Mary P.

p.s. note the small opening for his head. At one point all you could see was his feet.

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For the majority of our orders, delivery and installation is free (delivery on orders $499 & up; freestanding installation) disproving the old adage, “you get what you pay for.”

Anyone else have similar experiences they’d like to share?

What Refrigerator Noises Are Normal?

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Image: maxabout.com

If you’ve replaced your refrigerator within the last several years, your shiny new model might be making its presence known in noisier way.

Why?

For one, foam insulation — often used to make these appliances more energy-efficient — lacks the sound-baffling capabilities of fiberglass insulation incorporated into previous energy hogs.

Here’s some other “normal” sounds to expect, along with their abnormal counterparts:

Evaporator coil

A boiling, surging or gurgling sound as the compressor starts and stops. Also, a pop as the evaporator expands and contracts after defrosting.

Evaporator fan

The sound of air being forced through the unit is normal, but a continuous ticking or even intermittent squealing is abnormal.

Defrost heater

Sizzling or hissing sound from water dropping onto the heater during defrost cycle

Compressor

Newer fridges’ compressors are much more efficient and run much faster, giving off a high-pitched hum, whine or pulse. But watch out for clicking during start up (especially if the lights dim), banging or knocking during start or stop, a ping or snap followed by the compressor stopping.

Cold control and defrost timer

A snapping or ticking sound as the refrigerator turns on and off

Plastic liner

Cracking or popping as the temperatures change

Drain pan

Running water during or after the defrost cycle

Water valve

Buzzing, clicking or running water as the icemaker fills or water is dispensed

Icemaker

Cracking of ice and cubes dropping into the bin

Condenser fan

Air being forced over the condenser is normal, but squealing from the motor is abnormal.

Condenser

You should hear a surging or gurgling sound from the flow of refrigerant when the compressor runs, but an improperly placed drain pan could cause rattling.

If the normal sounds bother you, consider a piece of rubber-backed carpet for underneath the fridge. You could even put sound absorbing materials inside the cabinet if the refrigerator sits in an enclosure.