At a Glance:
Big Box Stores vs. Local Phoenix Appliance Stores
The Power of Local Appliance Shopping
Beyond Price: The Advantage of Shopping Local
Sound familiar?
“I'd forgotten what great service looks like until we went to Spencer's...We had tried to buy appliances at a number of big box stores and would be told they are in stock and would be delivered and installed within a few weeks. Then we would get emails saying there was a "delay" or the product was no longer in stock and our order would get pushed back for months.”
It’s a reality many local Phoenix homeowners experience when they shop at the big box store for appliances, but like we always say, just because the competition has more locations, that doesn’t mean the results are better. Contrary to major Phoenix appliance stores like Home Depot, Lowes, or Best Buy, our service starts with you—your needs, your budget, and the brands you want to explore, because we know your time and money and valuable and you need a solution—not an upsell.
It's that very philosophy that has made Spencer’s TV & Appliance one of the best appliance stores in the area with over 4,000 customer reviews that agree. If you’re looking for the go-to store for appliances Phoenix buyers continue to rate #1, here’s why it’s better to choose us over the major appliance store in your area.
Discover the Best Appliance Deals
Spencer's is home to the largest selection of in-stock appliances in the Phoenix area—explore our entire selection today!
Shop NowBig Box Stores vs. Local Phoenix Appliance Stores
You’re not alone if you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is a big box store?” Known commonly by their popular names (i.e., Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Costco, etc.), these appliance chains offer a shopping experience designed around supply and demand. That’s not unlike every business, but compared to local independent appliance stores, their goal is to sell, sell, sell—often despite understanding what a buyer’s true needs are, opting for upselling products that are convenient to a franchise’s quota. Can shopping at a big box store be convenient? Sure, but when comparing a hometown appliance store vs big box names, it’s clear that shopping smaller and local is the better option.
Why? For starters, supporting a local business is a direct inversion back into the community. In fact, according to recent data, choosing a local business such as Spencer’s over a big box store means investing $43 per every $100 spent compared to just $13 when consumers shop at a mega-corporation. That’s over three times the return!
Of course, it’s not all about revenue. With more than 50 years here in Maricopa County, Spencer’s didn’t just become part of the community overnight like pop-up appliance stores. We’ve been here for decades, and that means we understand the community and its needs. Hard water? We know just the appliance to help you handle that. Trying to beat the Arizona heat? These are the freezers and refrigerators built to handle the pressure. In other words, we have the expertise to work 1:1 with each and every one of our shoppers to find the right appliances at the right price from the right brands, which isn’t always the case when shopping in the fast-paced world of big box stores.
Spencer’s is the best
“We've been Spencer's customers for 16 years and always come back for the selection, service and professional sales staff. Nobody else comes close. And installation is fast, courteous and careful…Spencer’s is the best.”
Featured Spencer’s TV & Appliance Review on Yelp
The Power of Local Appliance Shopping
Despite the age of online purchasing, there are plenty of reasons to shop in-store (but you can still shop online at Spencer’s!). Unlike the big box stores, choosing local appliance dealers like us is an entirely unique experience that comes with unique benefits that the other guys can’t compare to. Let’s break it down.
Unveiling the Price Myth
What many consumers don’t realize is that manufacturers have a bigger hand in the price of their products. At the end of the day, business is business, so many brands strike up exclusive buying deals with major retailers in order to sell more products overall. Additionally, manufacturers might create specific models only sold to certain retailers, in which case they have a monopoly on the product that is out of the hands of local appliance stores.
With that said, the price difference isn’t always extreme. On average, a big box store might be about $100 cheaper, albeit at the cost of a more personal shopping experience as well as exclusive perks specific to each shop like appliance repairs, special delivery plans, and in-house warranties. In the case of Spencer’s, buyers can be sure to get the best value with our best price guarantee that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with big box stores and is valid up to 30 days after purchasing.
Given most appliance chains carry the same product models as local stores, that means shopping at an independent appliance store often means getting the same item at an equal cost, plus the perks of better services.
Bulk Buying for Savings
The question then becomes, “How do local appliance stores stay in business?” Aside from offering superior service to big box stores, local appliance showrooms are typically part of special vendor programs with manufacturers, similar to how major appliance franchises carry appliance models exclusive to a company. At Spencer’s, we buy our inventory in bulk, which costs us less, meaning we can sell our products at a lower cost to our local consumers (a.k.a. you!). That also means we offer competitive order times and can often deliver appliances in as little as a few days compared to long backorders, which big box stores frequently experience and can last up to weeks.
Employee Ownership Advantages
If you’re a business fan, chances are you’ve read about employee layoffs major retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot experiencing. While the roles don’t directly affect store employees, there are two main problems with this news:
- The trend suggests a need for financial recovery, which can affect product prices.
- The layoffs reflect the corporate point of view that is directly opposite the close-knit work environment at local appliance stores like Spencer’s.
That being said, pinching pennies will always be a part of business; the issue here is that when employees come and go at a company’s whim, a business’ culture is affected, and that directly impacts the shopping experience for consumers. That’s why Spencer’s keeps it in the family—we’re employee-owned and operated, and locals can still see our owner Rick, who started his role here in the Phoenix area more than 30 years ago.
Aside from morale, there are underlying benefits to employee ownership:
✔ Our employees own an equal share of the company.
✔ With more than six years on the ESOP model, we’ve built a better team with more dedication than ever to fulfilling our buyers’ needs.
✔ When we invest in our employees, a portion of that investment goes back into the community.
Expert Guidance
We also know what we’re talking about—a lot. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and with each of our 10 Phoenix appliance locations scoring a minimum of 4.5/5 on Google reviews, we’ve become Maricopa County’s leader in appliance knowledge for the home. With nearly 4 million customers to date, our buyer satisfaction rate is just as large and impressive as our selection of appliances at competitive prices compared to big box stores.
Swift Appliance Delivery
Fact: Spencer’s delivers more appliances than anyone in Arizona routes expanding from the Phoenix Metro Area to surrounding communities in Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, and Payson. In many cases, homeowners can enjoy their new appliance(s) as soon as the next day on in-stock appliances, and we can also accommodate buyers in Arizona outside the Phoenix area for an additional cost. Our services run six days a week, and buyers also have the option to upgrade to additional services such as appliance installation in the location of their choice. You can read our complete delivery terms here to ensure your purchase goes off without a hitch.
Beyond Price: The Advantage of Shopping Local
Finding a retailer in the area these days is as simple as searching “local appliance stores near me” in a search engine. But finding a quality local appliance store in the Phoenix area—that’s easier said than done. We make the hunt simple by providing everything Phoenix appliance shoppers can find at the local big box store with unmatched service and competitive prices. Our selection includes over 30 appliance brands with options for budget buyers as well as luxury appliances for the kitchen, laundry room, and outdoor kitchen spaces.
Top-Rated Refrigerators
The best lineup of Phoenix refrigeration is located here at Spencer’s, where shoppers can find the latest refrigerator technology like door-in-door designs, smart refrigerator connectivity, and powerful cooling systems to keep food fresh. We carry top models starting around $700 from major brands, including LG, Whirlpool, and Samsung, as well as premium refrigerator names like Sub-Zero and Thermador. Whether it’s a French door model, a side by side fridge, or any of the other top styles we carry, the right selection for your home starts by choosing us for your refrigerator needs.
Powerful Dishwashers
Dinner cleanup shouldn’t have to mean cleaning out the bank. With more than 20 dishwasher brands in our stock, shoppers have more buying options from our selection of top-rated dishwashers. Best of all, with our stock of dishwashers under $500 at entry price, you can take home a quality dishwashing machine for less or upgrade to another model in our Phoenix dishwasher lineup with prices that beat the big box stores nearly every time.
The Latest Cooking Appliances
If the kitchen is your favorite room in the home, you’re going to love our selection of cooking appliances complete with every cooking fuel, design, and appliance type for every kind of home cook. Whether you’re looking for the best Phoenix gas stove selection to up your cooking skills, the latest Phoenix induction stove stock to stay ahead of the trend, or our exclusive variety of Phoenix ovens to fulfill your baking needs, we can help you!
High-Efficiency Laundry Appliances
A clean wardrobe is a simple pleasure, and that’s all the truer when you have reliable laundry appliances from Spencer’s. With an extensive Phoenix washer and dryer selection starting under $600, shoppers have more buying power at Spencer’s, especially with top brands to choose from like LG, Maytag, GE, and more. Save your wardrobe and your money when you shop our stock of laundry appliances in your area today!
Plus, buyers get access to one-of-a-kind appliance deals, including:
✅ In-stock appliances that are ready to take home as soon as the next day.
✅ We’re the only local discount appliance store with the Hot Buys program featuring exclusive appliance deals in Phoenix at up to 50% off ticket prices.
✅ Closeout appliances, often at their lowest prices even big box stores can beat.
✅ Pre-built appliance packages at unbeatable prices.
✅ Customizable appliance packages with flexible pricing (contact us for details).
Long story short, when it comes to local appliances in and around Phoenix, nothing beats the quality service and attention you get from the leading local appliance dealer—Spencer’s TV & Appliance. No matter what you’re in the market for, count on us with more than 50 years of experience to help you solve your appliance needs at prices that match or beat the local big box store. Browse in stock appliances online or in-store today to see how much you can save compared to the other guys!
FAQs
Is it better to buy appliances online or in store?
Shopping for appliances online and in-store both have benefits. Seeing physical appliances makes it easier to gauge whether an appliance fill fit or if it fits your home’s style. On the other hand, shopping online is convenient because it doesn’t require taking time out of the day to shop. In any case, a reputable appliance store like Spencer’s TV & Appliance can accommodate you for both shopping styles, and we will work with you both ways to get you the best deal on appliances.
Can you negotiate at appliance stores?
In most cases, appliance prices are fixed—especially for big box stores. However, local appliance stores tend to be more flexible, and in certain scenarios, price negotiation might be possible. It’s always best to contact your local appliance dealer to explore the options.
Can local appliance stores compete with the prices at big box stores?
Yes! While local appliance store might not have the same appliance vendor deals, we do have exclusive vendor programs that allow us to buy and sell our products at competitive prices, often lower than big box stores.
Why Trust Spencers TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencers TV & Appliance has grown to 11 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. Our prices consistently beat those of big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot! Unlike the often overwhelming atmosphere of larger retailers, Spencers provides a more intimate and attentive environment, ensuring that customers find exactly what they need at the best possible price.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencers and see what you’re missing!
Shop In-Stock Appliances at Spencers
At Spencers TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop appliances online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you learn how we outcompete your local big box store. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
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