r2i forum

This is not the usual - "should I buy the 42 in Plasma TV" thread and rather one focussed on what to buy while in India after R2I
I am looking for suggestions for these ->

Washing machine --------> IFB/whirlpool/LG ?
Microwave --------------> LG /Samsung ?
A/C ---------------------> Samsung or LG ?
Rice Cooker -------------> ??
TV ---------------------> Sony or Samsung
Fridge ------------------> Whirlpool or LG or Samsung ?

Washing machine --------> :emsad: We have Samsung and definitely don't recommend it. Clothes become very hard, my guess soap doesn't get rinsed properly.
Microwave --------------> :) Have a samsung. No complaints till date. Working good.
A/C ---------------------> :emembarrassed: No experience here.
Rice Cooker ------------->
TV ---------------------> :confused: Sony has reputation but in India Samsung is the best selling and reasonable priced. The last time I was in my cousin's store I liked Samsung than Sony when compared side by side. It could be that TV's were not tuned properly.
Fridge ------------------> :emsmile: Definitely Samsung. It is wonderful. I have very positive feedback on this.

We usually buy LG here (for refrigerator, washing machine and AC). The dryer we wanted was not available from local dealer. So that is an IFB.

LG designs products for Indian use and can handle severe fluctuations in voltages (although you should use all these with a separate stabilizer). LG not surprisingly is the market leader in all these categories.

For Rice cooker, Panasonic sells a version which is 10 cup (US Size) that comes with a steamer etc. (model# SR-SL81JFN ). This technology is superior to other Panasonic versions which cost a few hundred to several hundred less. We buy such home appliances from T Nagar shops such as Vasanth & Co or Rathna Stores (for those who are from Chennai). The price is 20 - 40% lower than list prices (which is what you will pay in Landmark or LifeStyle).

Rathna Stores (if you can brave T Nagar traffic and congesion) offers excellent value for household items (such as Corelle plates, utensils, small kitchen appliances etc).

Vasanth & Co (Usman Road) is good for washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, airconditioners etc. I almost never visit the store. I look up LG's website, order it and have it delivered for free. Usually their prices are the best. There is some bargaining room (say 10% off their already discounted prices). I pay them by cheque.

For electronics, you can shop at Sony India's website. Call their dealer in T-Nagar and have them order it for you. Delivery and installation is usually free (except for a modest tip). Usually there is not much bargaining room. But for an amplifier (which cost about Rs 83k), I was able to bargain upto 3% off their list prices. Here too, I pay by cheque after they deliver. But sometimes you may need to place a small advance say a few thousand rupees if they have to order it from Delhi.

For miscellaneous electronics (e.g. rechargeable batteries, adapters, iPod accessories, LAN cable, speaker wires), I use Mercy Electronics on Lattice Bridge road (close to Adyar Telephone exchange). If there is an item I can't find, I give them the model number and they can get it for you. Once I wanted to gift a Yamaha PSR 175 (or some such model number) to my nephew. The price I got from these guys were almost a thousand lower than Landmark. The shop is always over crowded with no parking near by. But you can send one of your errand boys to pick it up.

In general, find a shop that offers good quality and patronize that shop. After a while they get to know you and will go to extraordinary lengths to please your needs. For instance, I buy so routinely from many of these shops, that they take great pains in satisfying your needs. I needed to go to Vasanth and Co only once a year before. Now I just order over the phone. They deliver it purely on faith and take a cheque. Same goes with Mercy Electronics or Sony. Get to know the owner or the highest ranking person in that place. They will remember you and get things done for you. If you are displeased, show it and tell the manager. Don't take it lying down. The service next time will be better.

The first time you shop with these guys, you may not have them go to great lengths but from the next time onwards, it will be far easier.

Have an IFB Bosch washing m/c. Of course was got back in 1993 for like Rs 18K and used daily without stabilier. Water was very bad (hardwater) in the early years. But it help up pretty well.

3 yrs down the late (around 1995) we took their annual maintenance contract which was around Rs. 1300 a yr. This was very useful as somethinngs like the water heater, water pump, bearing etc started to go bad and we had to pay nothing.

Now, almost 13 years later it is still working well (though a lot of the main parts whave been changed including the drum & the motor). Water nowadays is much better and the washing quality is good.

More often the more money you pay in India the better quality you get.

Avoid LG unless cash is a problem. The only LG we bought was a washing machine because it was more advanced than IFB. IFB for an older model with lesser electronic controls costed 21K and LG cost 17K for a bigger one. We went with LG and in 3 or 4 months had to get the Customer service to fix it. 2nd time they took the machine to the factory, Its working well now and we spend and additional 1000 for extended warranty.

Sony TVs are the best but costs much more.

We have an Onida TV looked only a shade lower than Sony but I think now when I start the TV after a day or two, for the first few minutes the whites in some areas are dimmer.

Fridge bought whirlpool : no complaints.

For smaller appliances go with Black and Decker or Morphy Richards or phillips if it is the brand leader.

OB1.

hi,

what is IFB?

I think we should add 100% Dryer -> as seperate line item. (i know lot of indian washing machines do dry but not to a state where one can fold clothes)

The IFB we have is a dryer. It does not wash. If you have a front loading washing machine, you can place the IFB on top of it.

The standard response you will hear from those who are here is this: "Maid will do all the washing and even if you have no maid you can line dry it which is good for clothes"

Maids can be better utilized at other tasks. In any case, washing machines do a far better job at washing clothes without ruining them. Maids usually beat the clothes on some stone and abrade the fibers.

Line drying in dusty outside conditions defeats the whole purpose. In addition, UV from sun rays will fade the clothes faster. The downside to a dryer is that you will run up utility bills.

For ironing, I highly recommend doing it inhouse (using a maid or a man servant). Never give it to a dhobi, who will not change the temperature setting according to the garment.

Frankly, most expensive garments should not be washed daily. You should air them and if you have a steamer, you can steam them to remove odors. Suits (in case you wear them) should be washed only a few times a year. Frequent dry cleaning will ruin them.

Those who are moving from abroad should bring Dryel which allows you to do home dry cleaning with the help of a dedicated dryer.

>>Avoid LG unless cash is a problem. The only LG we bought was a washing machine because it was more advanced than IFB.

I think it is one off problem, may be a single defective item. We have all LG equipments-Fridge, a/c, and washing machine and no issue for the past 3+ years.

Since nobody has touched upon AC, let me address that. I have bought more than 10 A/C split units in the last 3 years, from Carrier, Samsung, Voltas and one more grey market brand.

The most silent, most effective, most long lasting (>3 years) has been, very surprisingly the desi brand Voltas. Who would have guessed...:emembarrassed:

I have only non-voltas brands at home, and they suck when compared to Voltas at work. I am talking about same capacity A/Cs.

A little bit off-topic but I remember that someone posted a website addy 1 year back on old forum which contains different brand / it's prices for various household products like TV / VCR / AC etc.

it was like electronics portal for 1-stop homeshopping which gave us good idea how much total bill cld be if you want to but "electronics essecntial from india" instead of bringing it from LIA in R2I move.

does anybody have it ready ? could you please post it - It will be helpful for many in decision making process.