Two Guys Shared a BIG DREAM
At a time when other appliance stores began marketing in unusual ways, they teamed together to hold onto what they believed were traditional values in business. They left a former employer who sought a transformation toward a big box store atmosphere in his appliance store; the job held a future neither believed in. They clung to an ‘old time appliance store’ vision.
Mark Braun and Jim Buechler envisioned an appliance store with advantages. They wondered why other stores held hidden costs behind a seemingly great price upfront. It was agreed there would be no added cost for delivery, hoses and cords, or for the cost to haul away an old appliance.
Advantage Appliance was founded in 1993. Initial ideas and old-time values set forth by the two entrepreneurs exist today. They stand firm on a triple advantage: free local delivery, free hoses and cords, and special financing to fit the customer’s needs. Appliances removed, at no additional charge, are offered to local charities provided they are in working condition.
In 2016 Jim’s share of the company was purchased by Josh Braun (Mark’s son), making Appliance a single family owned business.
As a Whirlpool Family only store and a member of NationWide West Marketing Group Advantage Appliance can take advantage of special costs and discounts not available to other stores. “This allows us to pass unbelievable values and prices to our customers on Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid and Amana appliances” says the elder Braun. “When we opened in '93 our tag line was ‘our customers have the ADVANTAGE’ that is still true today”!