Foster Appliance — Attraction in Iowa City

I purchased an Amana washer at a different retailer and there was an issue with the auto sensing feature. I contacted Amana and since it was under warranty, they arranged an appointment with a local appliance repair shop and it was determined by Amana that Foster's would do the repairs. I wasn't able to be home for the first appointment and told them they could just go in but I ended up getting multiple calls in a meeting because that wasn't communicated to the technician. When I got home, there was no note or any indication they had been there other than the phone calls I got. I had to call them to find out that apparently the technician couldn't re-create the problem. They said to take a video of it malfunctioning. On my second load in, it malfunctioned and I had the video so I scheduled another appointment. Again, I wasn't able to be home and when I got back there was again no note or any indication they had been there so I had to call them again to find out that they were there to figure out what part to order. So I had to set up a third appointment. Again, I wasn't there and I had to leave my door unlocked and when I came home it was the same thing all over again where I couldn't even tell that they had been there. I had to call them. It Seemed to me that anyone with any service orientation would either leave a note or contact the customer letting them know what was accomplished on a service visit and not leave it up to the customer to have to call to find out what's going on. They said that the part was replaced and it was fixed. I was preparing to go home for a late Christmas and I had laundry to do last minute and the very first load I did went straight to the spin cycle with the door locking and unlocking and locking and unlocking and switching around between cycles randomly and I couldn't even do my laundry. I made multiple attempts and it was not even usable anymore. Before they replaced the part all I had to do was push the start button the second time to manually get the washing machine to start but now it was completely unusable and every single attempt was a disaster. That told me that they didn't even attempt to try the washing machine after they replaced the part or they would've known it was haywire. So either they're incompetent or they're negligent but whatever the case it really messed up my trip and it was many days and phone calls and effort for nothing and...

My experience at Foster Appliance was superb. Not only was the salesperson (Tony) informed and fantastic to work with, but he encouraged us to evaluate all the models we wanted and to invest all the time we needed to make a decision…on several occasions he prepped several models not on display (and located in their back room inventory) to show us, etc…. Prices were competitive, interactions were pleasant, and support was top notch.

Now, you’d think that the sales process is where a business would truly shine. However, you’d be wrong.

As awesome as the sales/purchas experience was, it was but a mere smudge on the masterwork portrait that their delivery and install process was. The dynamic duo (Allen and Brian) that showed up to remove ‘Ol Leaky Guts (our 21-year old fridge) and install the new one were equal parts fun, funny, knowledgeable, and personable. They alternated between refrigeration coaches, support experts, and mechanical wizards. They even laughed at my jokes as if I Don Freekin’ Rickles. How they managed to squeeze the new fridge through the doorway and interior spaces will remain a mystery of geometry that would baffle even the most ardent Pythagorean scholars.

From replacing a suspect water line with a new braided one, to the care they took with our home and appliances, they were truly amazing. Heck, we’re contemplating purchasing new microwave just so they can come for another visit.

Look, 

I know it’s easy to visit one of the big box stores when shopping, and we did too…but don’t make a decision until you stop over at Foster’s and give them a shot. If things work out, you may even get to meet Allen and Brian when they...

Worst, most expensive service ever. The first time I called them regarding my dryer, I was told that they were too busy with new constructions to service anything that they've sold. Maybe if I called back in a couple of months they might have time to service appliances they've sold.

This time I paid $129.95 for a service call for my Maytag dryer and the tech was in my house less than 5 minutes. My dryer still didn't work. When I called back, the person I talked with told me that I needed to clean the outside vent. I told her I had already done that. I also asked to have a different tech make a follow up call. The same tech was sent. Again, the problem was not fixed; and, again the tech never even opened up the inside of the problem to diagnose the problem. I hired a professional duct cleaning service to clean the outside vent because that's what the tech said was wrong - not sure how he knew since he didn't even open the dryer and look inside. The duct cleaning company told me that the vent was not the problem and it was not blocked. I talked with the service manager, Garret Watkins at Foster's. He told me that it would cost me another $129.95 if I wanted them to come back and actually open up the dryer to diagnose the problem. Not going to happen - I have zero confidence in their ability to fix anything. The only thing they seem to do well is charge $129.95 to drive out, walk in the door and turn around and walk out.

I would never recommend Foster either for purchasing an appliance and definitely not for service. Can't believe Maytag/Whirlpool even allows Fosters to carry...