The Blodgett Supply Blog

Saving Money, the New Fashioned Way!

2009-08-25T09:14:00.002-04:00

Technology continues to help consumers save money. The latest technology introduced by Blodgett Supply uses an efficient heat pump to extract the heat in your utility room, and uses that heat to heat your domestic hot water. Tests show that consumers can save up to 70% on their hot water using that technology. Will wonders never cease! Read the full story, and then contact any Blodgett branch for information.

What's a Warranty Worth?

2009-02-19T08:40:00.002-05:00

If you've purchased anything from a big box store, you've been subjected to at least two recommendations, (perhaps even three!) to purchase an extended warranty. Normally these warranties can cost 20-30% of the cost of the product you just purchased....it certainly is not unusual to see a $30-$150 price tag on the warranty. This is a good time to remember that every Crosley major appliance includes an extended warranty at no extra charge! In fact, Crosley appliances include a TEN YEAR warranty on the key component of that appliance...for instance, the compressor on a refrigerator. A relatiave of mine was just presented a bill for $400 to replace a compressor on a non-Crosley refrigerator! So, it can be a significant savings. If you're interested in longevity, or you have appliances in rental property, Crosley makes a very strong case.

The Importance of Being Pampered

2009-01-12T09:21:00.002-05:00

Over the chilly weekend, I treated myself to a steam shower. This fairly inexpensive addition to your custom shower is a delightful and healthful way to enjoy a spa-like experience in your own home. Our experience shows that during recessions people continue to invest in "building or improving the nest", and a custom shower is a wonderful treat to your well being. We've published a check list of things to think about when it comes to building a custom shower, see http://blodgettsupply.com/bath_showplace/Planning_Your_Shower.html. You can get experienced help with your project by visiting our showrooms in Williston and Rutland.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:09:00.003-05:00

Hopefully you are with family, and it only takes a look around the table to realize how much we have to be thankful for.

Buying at Wholesale Prices

2008-11-17T08:43:00.002-05:00

Over the years, the term "wholesale distributor" has become murky, widely misused, and misunderstood...especially in the appliance business. As New England's largest wholesale appliance distributor, Blodgett buys appliances by the truckload, and sells them to retail dealers for resale to consumers. Two factoids: first, because of this role we have the largest appliance inventory of anyone in Vermont; second, we are the only true appliance wholesaler in the state. So, when we decide to sell appliances to the public, consumers have a chance to buy appliances for at, or even below the prices we charge to dealers. Because our role is wholesale distribution, we normally do NOT sell directly to consumers, and have not done so for more than 10 years. Right now, however, we have an accumulation of closeouts, overstocks, and scratch and dent appliances and high definition TV's that we need to sell. As a result, this week, through Sunday, consumers have a chance to pay true wholesale prices on a variety of merchandise. Look for the link on Wholesale Direct on our website to see more information!

Circuit City goes Bankrupt

2008-11-10T14:58:00.002-05:00

Yet another big box retailer has filed for Chapter 11, and for CC this is just another chapter in their downward spiral. While I feel sorry for the employees who will ultimately be laid off, I more regret the loss of thousands of independent appliance retailers who went out of business because of the predatory pricing practices of the big box stores. Pricing practices which were always unsustainable, it just took until now to put CC down.

What's Important at Blodgett

2008-11-09T12:43:00.002-05:00

It was a pleasure last week to received a letter from a customer complimenting us on the quality of the people in our Williston branch, and thanking us for all they do for our customers. We absolutely believe in the qualified professionals who make up the Blodgett family, and it's great to have that reaffirmed by our customers.

The Election

2008-11-06T08:59:00.002-05:00

One of the things I most admire about the American people is the great sense of hope we have going into every election, hope for a better future, hope for a solution to our problems, and hope that the new administration will do what they've promised us. This election was a dramatic expression of that hope, and we now await what President-elect Obama can accomplish. I'm not the only one to be reminded of the similar emotions we felt when JFK was elected, a similar changing of the guard from one generation to another. Good luck to our new President...and all of us.

Seasonal Changes

2008-10-30T06:56:00.002-04:00

The first significant, (and premature!) snowfall, lines at gas stations for tire changeovers, and...the golf course closes this weekend. Time to finish those fall chores, and prepare for the winter. It does seem that the squirrels have been abnormally frantic this year...do they know something we don't?

Quality always wins out

2008-10-29T07:53:00.002-04:00

At Blodgett, we've always tried to carry the best possible products for our customers, with the strong belief that quality is well worth it. One of the things we've been encouraging with respect to the new Woodpecker wood pellet boiler is that consumers seek out quality pellet fuel, certified and with low ash content. We recently tested some poor quality pellets, and found that our test boiler ran sooty, belched black smoke, and operated in the low 80% efficiencies. Once we put our standard pellets in, the boiler ran at 96% efficiency, and the soot and smoke problems were gone. A word to the wise...read the packaging.

Recession...what recession?

2008-10-23T09:00:00.002-04:00

It's easy enough to be discouraged when reading the news, or looking at your stock portfolio or 401k. The realities at Blodgett are somewhat different, thankfully. We're hiring to fill our expanding business. Our contractor customers are actually quite busy (tried to find a plumbing contractor lately?). Certainly one reason for this is that interest rates remain quite low, and people continue to invest in energy efficiencies. Sure, oil prices are down, but who expects that to last? Why not make improvements that will pay you back within a relatively short time frame? Pellets, solar, wood, high efficiency heating appliances...all good choices.

Genealogy and toilets

2008-10-16T19:39:00.002-04:00

Did the title get you? If you have never investigated doing genealogy for your family, I encourage you to do so, especially while your older relatives and story tellers, and sources are still alive. There's a new website which blends the best of the social networking sites like facebook with the best of genealogy software. It's called www.geni.com, and with this site you can start building an elementary family tree, which may help you connect with long lost relatives. So, what's this got to do with toilets, and especially the new HET Toto toilets that use 1/3 the water of current generation toilets? Well.....nothing, nothing at all.

Energy Show a big hit

2008-10-16T10:43:00.002-04:00

The just concluded renewable energy trade show in Burlington provided more proof that there is growing interest in efficiency, and in cutting dependence on fossil fuels. Solar thermal (generating hot water from the sun) is so busy there is increasing lead time for installations. Our new Woodpecker wood pellet boiler drew crowds, hungry for information on this unit, which is unique in the United States. The Woodpecker is the largest selling pellet boiler in the United Kingdom, and offers technology not previously available in the United States...so even experienced alternative energy trade professionals were keenly interested. Welcome to the Blodgett world, where we're taking a leadership role in energy conservation.

Want to buy it wholesale?

2008-10-13T07:46:00.002-04:00

If you're looking for a good deal, take a look at the section of our site called "Wholesale Direct". Inevitably we have close outs, discontinued items and overstocks. We list a portion of those items on Wholesale Direct, and other items are available as well. You'll find appliances, electronics, plumbing items, and lots more. Inventory time is coming up, and we don't want to count this stuff!

Weather and the price of oil

2008-10-11T07:30:00.001-04:00

Vermonters will be outside in full force today, since the forecast is for beautiful weather. This unseasonably warm weather, combined with the recent declines in the price of oil helps us momentarily forget the harsh realities: winter is fast approaching, and we are slaves to the ever increasing price of fossil fuel. A friend predicted yesterday that oil would be at $300 gallon in five years; true or not, the implications are staggering. Every step we take today as consumers to break our dependence on oil chips away at the long term problem.

"I'm tired of being scared"

2008-10-10T12:34:00.000-04:00

I heard this comment yesterday from a customer in the Blodgett Bath Showplace showroom in Williston. The woman who made that comment had decided to update her bathroom, and refused to give in to the panic taking place on Wall Street. And while it's not pleasant to see our retirement accounts shrink in value, interest rates are still fairly low on a historic basis. So, while some people are cutting back on the frills, improving the "nest" remains quite active, and satisfying to the homeowner. We continue also to see people making energy efficient improvements to their home. This is an investment in your energy independence, and we offer a variety of solutions that can start saving you money, immediately.

First Woodpecker boiler sold in the United States

2008-10-09T10:36:00.001-04:00

The first Woodpecker wood pellet boiler sold in the United States has been sold in Rutland, Vermont. Blodgett Supply is the exclusive distributor in Vermont, New Hampshire and upstate New York, and sold the boiler through our Rutland branch. The Woodpecker is the largest selling wood pellet boiler in the United Kingdom, and far surpasses technology previously available in "the colonies".

Where to begin?

2008-09-11T20:57:00.000-04:00

It's a constant challenge to take all of the 43,000 products in stock today at Blodgett Supply, and educate contractors and end-users about their merits. Our professionals sort though hundereds of competing products to find the best products to stock and sell, so our customers know that they can buy from Blodgett with some sense of security. The newest example of a leading edge Blodgett product is the Woodpecker Wood Boiler, manufactured in Ireland by Gerkros; and as of today, it's available in the United States only through Blodgett. I've personallly met the Gerkros President, and he shares the same passion for quality and customer service that Blodgett does. This product will be a home run!