TV - not much drama (pun not intended). Just needed to decide the size (started with 50”, upped it to 55” after budget increase), the type, the brand. Eventually went for a LG 55” Nanocell TV which, as sales guy put it, is a mid tier kind of choice that didn’t cost that much to upgrade from the entry level TV. Wasn’t big on sound bar and all so that’s the only decision I had to make. Oh there’s the decision to get an extended warranty for the TV too which meant more $$. 

Washing machine though, had to put some thought into it. Was contemplating if it should be a 2 in 1 with dryer because the designated laundry drying area (and laundry rack) is in such a pitiful place which I don’t know how the developers manage to pass it off as one. It’s not going to get any sun or even much ventilation/wind, and laundry drying is apparently not permitted on balcony (or rather the balcony railings) for condo external aesthetics reasons. And not that the balcony gets a lot of sunlight anyway, which is a happy problem I suppose. The reluctance comes with my experiences with dryer which, apart from the two years in McNair, I have not come across one that is remotely on par and I hated warm and moist laundry which is the result of improper drying. 

Considered getting a laundry heating rack system like Steigen but decided against it in the end, coz didn’t want to clutter up the kitchen (I think it was also disallowed in the balcony similarly for aesthetic reasons), and I definitely didn’t have space for a separate dryer so decided to just bite the bullet - 2 in 1 washer/dryer it is. Got an LG one too coz I think my experience with my current one is ok and sales guys did say the Direct Drive technology that LG employs is superior to Samsung’s one which will still vibrate a lot. Okayyy. 

I think the drama with these items is with payment actually. I specifically went to Harvey because it’s giving me bonus miles if paid via Kris+ app on a regular card, so I can save my quota for my other miles cards for other big ticket items like furniture. Specifically I wanted to use my new Amex card so that I can clock minimum spending for the welcome bonuses. But it’s only when everything has been arranged (delivery dates, invoices printed etc) when the cashier informed me Amex was not accepted for Kris+ (yet, at that point in time). Panicked and almost wanted to walk off (which probably would have blacklisted me for life) but eventually went ahead with it after quick calculations which told me I can still hit my Amex spending elsewhere. So minor crisis averted. 

Installation went without a hitch, which was something I sort of felt relieved coz it came at a time which I felt literally anything can go wrong. For instance the water pipe connection to the washing machine, the bracket installation for the TV etc. When the washing machine switch was turned on nothing happened - heart attack - before remembering I didn’t switch on the washing machine mains lol. 

(Update: tried drying clothes at balcony and it worked ok and is in fact rather breezy so I suppose I may not rely on the dryer component too much. And depending on the load and type of clothing it can sometimes take a 3 hour cycle to dry properly so RIP my electricity bills)

Another appliance, which I actually was eventually very happy with even though I struggled with the decision initially (again!), is my electronic door lock. Struggled coz they dont come cheap and once you altered the door there's no going back (they have to cut out the door to fit your lock and if you ended up getting another lock which is smaller there's no "filling in" - or at least that's how I understood it). But things were on discount on 11.11, and I applied some vouchers which slashed the price further so buy! Installation also took longer than I expected and generated hell lots of noise, which I was super conscious about because I didnt apply any permit and at one point I even considered buying gifts for my neighbours to apologise for the noise (and any other renovation noise), but didnt in the end. And I was very happy with it because it was one of the rare few things that proceeded smoothly without any hiccups at that point in time, and seeing it work like a charm warms my heart lol. 

But yeah. Don’t think I needed any more appliance in near term! But it had been fun visiting Harvey many many times just to window shop.