CHOICE Names Best and Worst Appliance Retailers for 2024

not limited by proximity or borders; it knows no boundaries.” It is arguably what makes us most human, not to mention being the trait par excellence of the finest individuals who have ever lived.

To care is to show your worth beyond any and all quantifiably-meagre metrics of worth, it is a spiritual quality of the highest order.

As if reiterating the benefits that seem to automatically endow those who lead caring lives, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale once professed, “To be successful is to be helpful, caring, and constructive, to make everything and everyone you touch a little better.” Because, let’s face it, there are many ‘practitioners’ who go about their daily business in such a way as to locate themselves squarely in the ranks of the ‘It’s-all-about-me’ brigade. If only each of our captains of state and industry were chosen for their empathy, and not just for their ruthless compulsions to simply get to the top. True to her abolitionist principles, the American author and activist Harriet Beecher Stowe once said, “Caring for others is the highest expression of humanity.”

Which is an ideal that has paled none in the two centuries since it was expressed, if anything it has assumed more of a pressing need, so as to correct what could be construed as a modern-day culture defined by abject greed and self-interest. Or quite simply, as William Golding once so admirably discerned, “We [just] need more humanity, more care, more love.” o Ease of Use: 84% (user-friendly website)

As Black Friday approaches, CHOICE has ranked Australia’s best and worst appliance stores based on customer feedback about factors such as customer service, product range, value for money, delivery, and after-sales service.

In a survey of 3,500 CHOICE supporters, two retailers stood out:

• Top Online Store: Appliances Online

• Top In-Store Retailer: E&S Trading On the fip side, Kogan and Big W received the lowest ratings for online and in-store experiences, respectively.

Best and Worst Online Appliance Retailers

Best: Appliances Online

• Overall Score: 86%

• Top Features: o Delivery: 90%

(specifc delivery windows a highlight) o Price Matching: Widely praised o After-Sales Service: 77%

“Appliances Online dominated across all categories, with respondents praising its product range, ease of navigation, and standout delivery options,” said CHOICE Director of Reviews and Testing, Matthew Steen.

Worst: Kogan

• Overall Score: 59%

• Top Features: o Product Range: 74% o Value for Money: 70%

• Weak Points: o After-Sales Service: 35% o Delivery: 68%

“Kogan fell short in nearly every category, particularly aftersales service. Many respondents highlighted slow delivery and diffculties with customer support,” Steen noted. Best and Worst In-Store Appliance Retailers

Best: E&S Trading

• Overall Score: 89%

• Top Features: o After-Sales Service: 91% o Customer Service: 88% o Delivery: 89%

“E&S Trading’s commitment to customer satisfaction, particularly after-sales support, earned it the highest score among in-store retailers,” said Steen.

Note: E&S Trading primarily operates in Victoria and has one store in the ACT. For shoppers elsewhere, Retravision, Winnings, and Betta also received high marks for in-store experiences.

Worst: Big W

• Overall Score: 62%

• Top Features: o Value for Money: 67%

• Weak Points: o Customer Service:

50% o Product Range: 57%

“Big W’s limited product range and poor customer service brought its scores down. Respondents reported challenges in fnding staff for assistance,” Steen said.

What This Means for Black Friday Shoppers “With the holiday shopping season upon us, these insights can help Australians make better decisions about where to shop for appliances,” Steen advised. “For a smooth shopping experience, Appliances Online and E&S Trading remain standout options, while shoppers may want to exercise caution with Kogan and Big W.” For more details and the full rankings, visit: Best and Worst Appliance Retailers 2024: www.choice.com. au/applianceretailers