Better Living

Great store ken Jr and john, and staff are courteous and helpful. I’m in and out in 3 minutes they approached me as soon as I come in show me what I need the prices are deceptively low you assume these local hardware stores will be expensive but better living has really good prices. I’ve bought multiple major appliances Weber grills. I even needed warranty service on my Weber grill 6 years later, I lost the receipt the store manager dug it out of the archives scanned it and emailed it to me. I was able to use this to get replacement parts from Weber try doing that with the local big box store.

Ask yourself…
Do you urgently need a widget, whatnot or a whachamacallit but you’re in the middle of a project.
Are you dreaming of the latest, shiniest, most badassed large appliance, but insist it shouldn’t cost more than the house you put it in?
Hate driving 20 miles to a big box labyrinth and explaining to the pimply faced, gum chewing half-​wit with charts & pictures what you need?
Sick of spending too much money only to find out you have the wrong item after the extensive consultation with the previous pimply faced, gum chewing half-​wit?
Just go to Better Living first. They have what you need, what you want, and at the right price!
No charts required, they know what you mean; they speak thingy, whatsit and doohickey.

It’s a small family run hardware store. You will pay more but they will have and you’ll find what you need for a quick home repair in a pinch.
Their prices on appliances/​power tools and small engine equipment are very high. For those, shop around.

This is my go to place in town for any painting or home supplies. It’s easy to find what I’m looking for without having to go to a big box store like lowes or Home Depot. Staff is always friendly.

Nice and big hardware store with the small business feel. They have everything you need for your home and then some. Their appliances are also very reasonably priced.

Awesome small town department store that has saved me countless times when I need something in a pinch. You can buy anything from a single screw to high end appliances, mattresses, etc. I’ve bought all of my appliances there in recent years and they are competitive, if not cheaper, than the big box retailers. They are much nicer than your average big box employee and the store is family owned and operated. Can’t beat it.

First let me say that before the experience I came on here to warn people about I want you to know that I was a long term customer of this store. In my five years living in the burg I purchased a weber grill, washer, and dish washer from this store. No problems and was generally satisfied.
This summer my wife and I are remodeling our kitchen. We purchased a whole package for almost 5 grand. The day of purchase we asked the salesperson how much notice they need for delivery. He told us to call him that day. We repeatedly asked if he needed advanced notice but he insisted we could call him that morning (we live blocks from the store so didn’t push the issue).
The day our contractor (who also is local and often works with this store) wanted to install the appliances we called and were told it would be 5 or 6 days (extending our remodel job by the same amount of time). I went to the store and was told by John that we were never told that, and I could talk to him until I was «blue in the face» and it wouldn’t make any difference. I asked him to call the owner, his brother, and confirm with him that we were ever told this, he declined and seemed bothered by my even discussing the matter further.
I cancelled my 5,000 dollar order, went to a place in nearby east brunswick, and bought the same exact package but a better brand name with a better rebate… oh and they delivered the next day when I told them it was for a remodel.
I guess this is what you get when you try to patronize local businesses… beware…

It was early this past Spring. I had it all figured out in my head:
I would call the plumber and have him install a natural gas line out on my deck — no more annoying propane tanks. Next, I’d do my research and pinpoint a high-​quality natural gas grill suitable to my needs. Then I’d figure out the range of prices online and offline for the same grill. And unless there was an amazing online deal that could not be passed up, I’d finish by finding a local mom and pop shop — one that would surely offer free assembly and delivery — and complete my purchase.
And as of this afternoon, my plan was fully executed.
My parents, like all NJ parents over 65, live in Monroe Township. They know all about the local businesses and suggested I go to Better Living in nearby Jamesburg. This is where they buy all their appliances. They told me I would get the best price here, without any haggling, and that it would include free assembly and delivery.
They were right.
Things got even more serendipitous when I pulled up today and saw a big sign touting a Weber Grill sale. I walked in, and there was my baby, sitting right there in front of me. The price was pretty much what I had seen online, but included an extra $ 200 off for the sale. I inquired with Jason, our salesman, about a grill cover, and he said he’d just throw one in for free. (Technically, discounted off the grill price.) And voila! My new grill will be delivered this Tuesday, free of charge, and fully assembled.
Did I get the lowest possible price? Probably not. But I know I got a great deal, with no hassles whatsoever, and supported a local business in the process. Pretty much, your classic win-​win situation. That feels great.
So who’s coming over next weekend for a barbecue? :D

I had bought appliances from this store before and never had a problem like others had reported. I like the idea of having a local hardware store nearby, I feel more personalized service and it just saves me time from driving 10 miles to the box stores. Kudos to the owner for keeping our local homeowners with a choice. Imagine not having this local store. I would encourage my fellow neighbors to patronize these mom and pop stores for the benefit of the little guy !

After reading the cautionary review on Unilocal,I brought my elderly parents in to look at a new washing machine and dryer. They live in the nearby Greenbriar community, and their machines were 19 years old. They wanted a fairly basic set, roughly comparable to their old GE models.
The salesman, Ken, was knowledgeable and, even more important, extremely patient. Eventually, we chose the models my parents felt comfortable with. I then mentioned to Ken that I had heard his prices were higher than his competitors. Ken went online and was able to prove to our satisfaction that we at least met if not beat them.
Overall, I felt very good about the experience. I would recommend Better Living to anyone with the caveat that they be Internet savvy or be accompanied by someone who is.

2÷3÷2013 Edit «
i always try to frequent local businesses. i appreciate their customer service, expertise, etc.
yesterday i went to better living with a paint swatch and asked them to match it.
they mixed up a gallon of what they said was a match and i brought it home eager to get started.
it was wrong
today i brought it right back in order to exchange it for the correct one.
i was told that they would not do it!
despite the fact that i took their advice, paid a premium price and only wanted an exchange they refused!
i would have been better off going to home depot, paying half the price and returning it if need be.
i will still continue to shop locally. .. . just not at «better living»!!

Buyer Beware — -Buy your appliances elsewhere. They messed up my rebate from Frigidaire and I have been trying to get my money from them since April. All they do is ignore me. They will not give me my money and they owe me over $ 300.00. I have given them so much business in the past and this is how they treat long term customers. Everyone says to support the «local businessman». Here is a good reason to go elsewhere. Carol C.

After some price comparisons with not only the big box stores but other «Family owned» appliance stores in the immediate area their prices are way out of line with the competition with the impetus on you to negotiate the best deal possible. So what’s wrong with that? you may ask.
What’s wrong is that they do a bustling business with some of the retirement communities in Monroe having contracts supplying basic appliances but charging astronomical markups for upgrades with no option to negotiate a fair price.
Older, less computer savvy customers will just pay the price on the recommendations of the managers and mutual heads of the communities without comparison shopping, in turn ensuring Better Living a monopoly in this very large and lucrative market.
I was able to not only save over $ 300+ by shopping the many sales at my local Homedepot but got far better appliances with upgraded features with the same service as Better Living.
I would urge you to shop around and petition your community leaders to have a choice of vendors to insure Better Living does not have a lock on your parents and grandparents hard earned cash.

Better Living is a family owned and operated business, with all the best characteristics that implies. The are knowledgeable and friendly and offer a very good assortment of appliances and hardware at fair and competitive prices. We are repeat customers and have been very pleased with their service and our purchases.