We're going to be remodeling a kitchen soon, and I wanted to get an idea of which places are more willing to haggle prices if you are making a large purchase from them... and not just stick to the "by the book" prices listed on the tags.

Anyone have any experiences with any of these places, or any other places you might suggest?

Right now I'm leaning towards ABT but I haven't spoken to anyone there yet because we are still about two months away from starting our project.

they have A LOT of my money too!

You can definitely haggle with them on multiple items. I can give you a name if you're interested. Abt is a great alternative though.

They generally won't give you the good prices to begin with though. Lowe's is new around here though so maybe they deserve a look. But I guarantee whatever markbradford's price was on Kitchenaid, my guy will beat it. Grant's doesn't deal with the overhead of a NASCAR team.

I shopped around a lot and Grant's gave me the best price - based on what I told them, not the ads I showed them. I'm guessing it has a lot to do with knowing someone but I've gone Grant's way on Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer and DLP after thoroughly shopping the competition. Right place, right time.

Seldom do they ever have to "special order" anything. 6 burner Thermador - stock. Super duper commercial range hood - stock.

They deliver and they will negotiate prices.

I didn't see anything mentioned, but do you have to use their moving service or something in order to get the 10% discount, or do you simply have to give them your contact info?

By the way, the Kitchenaid Architect series is one of the lines we are looking at as well.

Our DW had a small stain on the stainless (!) steel front panel like some sort of caustic liquid had dripped on it. We called KitchenAid and within 3 days, no questions asked and no return of the old one required, we had a replacement panel.

except without that obnoxious backsplash. I'm also checking out similar models from Viking, DCS, Thermador, Dacor, Electrolux, Kenmore Elite, and GE Monogram.

Sooo many to choose from.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=COOKTOPS&amp;categoryId=146&amp;productId= 160">http://www.kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=COOKTOPS&amp;categoryId=146&amp;productId= 160</a</li></ul>

I wanted to get something a little bigger since we host a lot of parties and cook for groups of people... and are always fighting over stove space. I might do a slide in as well, but in the 36" size, it seems cheaper to go with seperate cooktop and built in oven

Personally, my favorite is the Thermador with the big blue knobs and the big round analog gauge in the middle (kinda looks like the dash on your Mini).

Out of all the appliances, the one thing I want to splurge on a little more is the cooktop. Since I'm doing all the installation, cabinets, flooring, plumbing, electrical, everytying myself, I can reinvest the labor savings into upgraded appliances. I'm probably going to do concrete countertops as well.

but from what I've been reading and talking to people... it's no worse than granite. And actually, stains/petina in the concrete can create a desirable effect, especially if you are going for that random discoloration effect.

I'm still researching it, but so far everything I see really appeals to me. If I chicken out on the concrete, then I'll probably fall back on something like Silestone.

I'll still consider granite, but silestone is supposed to have a lower maintenance factor to it. You're probably wondering then, why would I choose concrete if maintenance is an issue. Well, for starters, the cost of concrete (diy) is MUCH cheaper, and the look of concrete can work with discoloration and stains. Whereas, with Granite, you definately don't want to stain it or it will look ruined. Silestone won't stain as easily as Granite, so if I'm going to spend that money, I think I'd lean towards the manmade stuff.

I still have a lot of research to do and still a lot of time to do it (feb1 is when we take posession of the house), so I'll do all of my homework until then and make a sound decision once the time comes. Our budget is also going ot depend on how we decide to lay out the kitchen and how many cabinets we'll need.

Actually, I'm doing a lot of research on the concrete thing... have a "How to" book by Cheng design,(the pioneers in that field), getting the instructional DVD, and stalking message boards and stuff like that. Lots of DIY'ers are doing it and having a lot of success with it.

Of course I'll do some practice runs on a smaller scale in the garage before I actually make the final top sections. I know it's a lot different than the pour in place fence post stuff, but so far from my research, there is nothing in the process beyond my abilities.

<center><img src="http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6752/6752016_ra.jpg"></center><p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6752016&amp;type=product&amp;id=10993840 80926">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6752016&amp;type=product&amp;id=10993840 80926</a</li></ul>

This is the guru on the subject... I highly recommend picking up that book on concrete countertops. You can grab it at any Borders or Barns&amp;Noble for like $20-$25 bucks. There's a DVD available also.<ul><li><a href="http://www.concreteexchange.com/index.jsp?src=overture&amp;OVRAW=cheng%20concrete&amp;OVKE Y=cheng%20concrete&amp;OVMTC=standard">Cheng Concrete Design</a></li></ul>

Lots of links and resources here<ul><li><a href="http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo_library/countertops3.htm">http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo_library/countertops3.htm</a</li></ul>