Shopping for electronics on Black Friday? See which stores rank as best and worst before you buy!

As the Black Friday sales approach, it's time to gear up for some serious shopping, especially if you're in the market for new electronics.

But before diving into the sea of discounts and deals, it's crucial to know where to shop for the best experience.

That's where CHOICE, Australia's leading consumer advocacy group, steps in with their latest survey results on the best and worst electronic stores.


CHOICE surveyed 3,500 supporters about their shopping experiences over the past 12 months, focusing on those who purchased appliances in-store and online.

The goal is to ensure you have the most satisfying shopping spree this Black Friday, whether you're hunting for a high-tech washing machine, a sleek new fridge, or a humble toaster.

Matthew Steen, the Director of Reviews and Testing at CHOICE, emphasises the importance of this survey.


1732153996860.png
CHOICE has released its best and worst electronic store ratings for Black Friday. Credit: iStock


'With Black Friday right around the corner, we want to make sure you have the best experience possible while shopping for a new appliance,' he said.

For brick-and-mortar stores, the survey asked participants to rate various aspects such as the range of products and brands, value for money, customer service, delivery, and after-sales service.

Online stores were evaluated on additional criteria, including ease of use of the website, payment options, and return policy.


So, who came out on top and lagged in the digital and physical retail worlds? Let's take a closer look at the results.

Appliances Online clinched the title of the best online store with an impressive overall score of 86 per cent.

Customers praised the store for its extensive range of products and brands, scoring 84 per cent in that category.

The website's value for money and ease of use both matched this score, while payment options received an 82 per cent satisfaction rate.

The delivery service was a standout feature, with a 90 per cent approval rating, highlighting the store's efficiency and customer-friendly approach.

Although the returns process and after-sales service scored slightly lower at 76 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively, they were still commendable.


'Appliances Online topped every online category in our survey. Many noted it had a great range of products and praised the company’s willingness to price match. Our survey respondents also noted the website was easy to navigate, and many liked how you could select a specific delivery window for your order,' Steen reports.

On the other end of the spectrum, Kogan struggled with an overall score of 59 per cent.

While the range of products and brands available and value for money were rated at 74 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively, the website's ease of use and payment options hovered around the mid-60s.

Delivery satisfaction was at 68 per cent, but the most concerning figure was the after-sales service, which plummeted to a mere 35 per cent.

'Kogan scored 27 percentage points lower than Appliances Online and received the lowest score in the after-sales service category with a poor 35 per cent. Survey respondents also expressed that deliveries were sometimes slow,' Steen explains.


For those who prefer the tactile experience of shopping in person, E&S Trading emerged as the best in-store appliance retailer with an overall score of 89 per cent.

The store received high marks for its range of products and brands (87 per cent) and customer service (88 per cent).

Its after-sales service was particularly noteworthy, achieving a 91 per cent satisfaction rate.

'E&S Trading took the top spot in this category with an overall score of 89 per cent. Many survey respondents praised its after-sales service, which received an impressive score of 91 per cent. Its range of products and brands and delivery service are also commended,' says Steen.

However, Steen noted that E&S Trading's presence is limited to Victoria and the ACT, suggesting that shoppers in other regions consider Retravision, Winnings, and Betta for a quality in-store experience.


BIG W was at the bottom of the in-store rankings, with an overall score of 62 per cent.

The store was criticized for its limited range of products and brands (57 per cent) and, even more so, for its customer service, which scored a disappointing 50 per cent.

'BIG W consistently rated lower than other stores in nearly all categories. Our survey respondents said it was difficult to find customer service in-store, and it also scored low for the range of products and brands available,' Steen remarked.
Key Takeaways

  • CHOICE has released its best and worst electronic store ratings ahead of the Black Friday sales.
  • Appliances Online was rated as the best online appliance retailer, with an overall score of 86 per cent.
  • Kogan was rated as the worst online appliance retailer with an overall score of 59 per cent, mainly due to poor after-sales service.
  • E&S Trading was rated as the best in-store appliance retailer with an overall score of 89 per cent, while BIG W was rated as the worst with an overall score of 62 per cent.
Have you shopped at any of these stores recently? What was your experience like? Share your stories in the comments below.
 
Last edited:
Sponsored
I can’t fault KOGAN I have dealt with them on a few occasions and had good Service and
My orders were to my expectations..
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×