Abt ElectronicsReviews of abt.com

The comments about ABT service are correct. They are undependable and repeated visits are necessary. They have fabulous showrooms and great products where you can compare many choices. But the custom kitchen and their service people are mediocre at best. Repeated calls back and forth to confirm the accuracy of orders in the Custom Kitchens Department were required to get a correct order. The installation people were prompt and clean and efficient. But it's now taken four service calls to get our refrigerator door to work the right way. Most recently, they needed to replace some hooks that affix a panel to the door of our Sub-Zero fridge. They were here 4 weeks ago for the third time to make the door right. They promised the needed parts be ordered and they would be back in a week or two. Not having heard from them, I called today. They haven't even ordered the parts. They really deserve to be dinged for their service. Buy from them if you want. But I would never have them provide service that you have to pay for.

I bought my main four kitchen appliances there. I accepted an open-box refrigerator for a fair discount after inspecting the “defect” they mentioned — a small scratch near the bottom. However, after installing the appliances, I noticed the freezer wasn’t cooling properly. I contacted them, and after a technician’s visit, they determined it needed to be replaced. But I had to pay the price difference for a new one because I refused to accept another open-box unit without seeing it first (which I later found out had actually been a display model). I had to deal with a salesman who was inflexible and arrogant — he wouldn’t even let me speak until he finished his entire speech. Eventually, after contacting customer service, I ended up paying an additional $200 for the replacement. I just wanted it resolved, so they finally replaced it — after a week without a freezer and no compensation for the food I lost. I hoped that would be the end of it, but unfortunately not. A couple of days later, the dishwasher stopped working. I chose ABT for the service because the OEM technician had a one-day longer wait, which I now regret. The first technician came on Tuesday just to check what parts were needed — he didn’t have any with him. The second technician arrived on Saturday, cranky and dismissive, blaming the electrician’s work simply because he didn’t understand newer wiring methods. He even cut the dishwasher wire after failing to disconnect a Wago 221 connector (he didn’t know you have to lift the lever). Later, he discovered the real issue was a faulty main board, which was replaced, but now I have a refurbished dishwasher for the price of a new one. He never apologized or showed any willingness to learn how the connector worked — he just looked away when I tried to show him. I wasn’t trying to argue, only to teach him something that might make him a better professional. I won’t buy from them again. For less money, I could have bought the same appliances elsewhere with far less hassle. In total, I had to deal with five service visits, each requiring me to be available starting at 7 AM just for them to call and say when they planned to come.

This company is no longer the bastion of quality and service it once was. I've been purchasing major and minor appliances and media equipment from Abt for more than 26 years, but today was the last straw. I live in Aurora (about 26 miles one-way) to their store, so I always call first to check to ensure the item I want to purchase is in stock. In this case, I wanted to view an LG washer with agitator. I called and spoke to "Kevin" who said he was working from home in appliance sales. I told him the item I was considering--giving him the name and model number from the online description on their website-- and specifically asked, "This item is on your store floor so I can view it, correct?" After a brief pause (2-3 seconds), he said, "Yes, it is on the floor." (I assumed the brief pause was while he checked his computer to see if it was on the floor; now I realize the pause was him deciding whether or not to lie just to get me in the store.) He immediately launched into a sales pitch--telling me I could order over the phone. I told him I needed to see it in person, as there are different styles of agitators (some allow small clothing items to disapper beneath the agitator, and some are flush with the botom of the washer bin). He then launched into "If you buy the dryer, too, you can save an extra $100." This has become my main complaint with Abt: pushy sales people who don't LISTEN to the customer. I once again insisted that I needed to see the item first. Then he said he would be in the store after 12:30 p.m. We agreed that I would meet him there. Before we hung up, he said, "Great. See you soon and you can buy it today." I drove the 26 miles, asked for Kevin at the customer service desk. A guy said he was "upstairs" and he would go find him. About 10 minutes later, this same guy said, "Kevin will be about five more minutes." Okay. Fine. While I was waiting, I gave the model number of the washer to the customer service agent, and asked him if that model was on the floor, because I didn't see it when I walked in. He said it was not, and that it was not even in stock. Wait. What?!! Clearly Kevin was just hoping to lure me into the store and sell me whatever he thought he might be able to sell me that day. I drove approx. 70 miles round trip for NOTHING. Beyond that, while I was perusing the washers when I first entered the store, a sales rep approached me and asked, "Do you need to *buy* a washer today?" I thought that was odd questioning. Maybe, "Do you *need help* with washers today?" would have been more reasonable. BUT, Abt sales people have become such vultures because of, I am assuming, their commission-only status. (And if they are not on commission only ,then why are they such pushy vultures?) The instant I told the guy that I had already talked to "Kevin" earlier in the day, this sales rep literally snorted at me, and whirled around and walked away as he said in a snarky tone "Well, I don't know no 'Kevin.'" Simiarly, while I was at the CS desk waiting for Kevin, another sales associate approached me and said, "Can I help you wtih something today?" I told him that I had been waiting for "Kevin" but I wasn't sure if he was ever coming. The guy walked away without a word. No, "Glad you are being taken care of," or "Okay," or even a nod. Just quickly walking away. FInally, on my way out the door (after I learned Kevin had lied to me I had no desire to even buy anything from Abt) yet another sales rep asked, "Are you looking TO PURCHASE an appliance today?" Do they TRAIN these people to be this pushy? There are so many other retailers that offer the same products at the same prices--AND that can deliver the next day. (Abt is always at least a 1-2 week wait. Admittedly, that is probably because I live in the western 'burbs. Still conveinience matters.) I used to be willing to pay the extra sales tax when purchasing at ABT (they are in Cook county, which has a MUCH higher sales tax than where I live) because of the quality and service. (I have never had any issues with their installers.) Now that the in-store service is gone and sales people have turned into pushy rude robots, there is no reason to go back. Not woth fighting the road contrsuction, the traffic, and the overly aggressive and TOALLY UNHELPFUL sales people. Their sales people only care to speak to you if they think they can make a commission that day. UPDATE AND RESONSE: I stand 100% by my original comments. IF you are going to lie, at least make it believable. I never said what color I wanted...so how would you know that one "in a different color" was on the floor. FYI: I checked the ENTIRE floor, and there were NO LG washers on the floor with an agitator in the model # I wanted. Do you really think a customer is that stupid that they would know that color makes no difference when it comes to features? Now Abt has resorted to calling customers liars to repair the co's rep.

Wanted to upgrade my tv. Told salesman that tv must integrate with my hearing aid tv adapter. When installing it could not cjonnect. I complained and the salesman requested $187 more to get more parts!! That also did not work AND in the process I lost wifi on my new tv!!! Service guy suggested I keep my Apple TV since that still had the wifi connection. I have requested the extra $ 187 back, got salesman HAVE A NICE DAY. Stay away from Abt

I would strongly recommend that people stay away from ABT. If you run into any performance or quality issues, they will try to force you into accepting their solution to the problem. There are too many excellent electronic retailers. Sad to say that ABT is far from excellent – or even good.

I had purchased smaller appliances and components for some of our rental properties from ABT previously, and was happy with the products and speed of delivery. So, I thought I'd roll the dice and purchase the Bosch refrigerator for our new mainland residence from ABT, as the usual suspects were having issues with getting stock. I understood that they did not offer installation, but paid for the 'white glove' room-of-your-choice delivery service. Scheduled via the provided link on Pilot's website for an offered day, with a 4 hour delivery window. The day before my delivery appointment, they call and say that they won't be there until the following Tuesday, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm! They finally arrive a bit before 7:00 pm, and it turns out they mean room of your choice as long as all of your rooms are on the ground floor. They won't do stairs. So, the lovely refrigerator sits in our basement until I can get some off-duty fellows from Lowe's to come finish the job. I'd strongly advise anyone residing in multi-level or view property to purchase your appliances elsewhere.

I have had good experience with ABT but still have to give a low rating because of a purchase. Reason is that we purchased a Samsung Fridge RF263BEAE and apparently they have a water leaking problem which we have dealt with there is even a class action lawsuit out on Samsung on 22 of there models. I guess I don’t understand why ABT would sell their fridges if they have this problem. Also I know 4 people that own fridge and they all have same problem.

Redid my kitchen and bought all my appliances from ABT - high-end refrigerator, builtin oven stove top, oven hood, microwave and dishwasher. This was a year ago...I had to replace my fridge 2x, and now my Thermadore oven is faulty and someone just came out today to replace the motherboard and left without my oven working so now I have to wait again at least a week before someone else can come out - I was told by 2customer service people and a technician that I shouldn’t use the self-clean mode on the oven “bc this sort of thing happens ...”so why would a rep sell me an oven like that knowing the self-clean mode is faulty? I am not happy about that - I’m very disappointed with ABT. My mother had a similar situation with her washing machine - 3x she had to replace her washer in one month- that’s appalling. In the past year I’ve heard poor feedback but now I’ve experienced it. I will never buy another item from ABT again.