They are correct about the simple appliances. Cheaper to repair too when they go bad. It isn't if, its when with these new appliances today. They all have a stupid computer chip in them. Oh yeah, its for your safety
. We buy from the same store so I know the salesperson well. They always recommend something that with good track records. They know what comes back, time after time so we stay away from those. My suggestion is to stay away from the big big box stores, get after the smaller appliance places and they normally have installers that they trust or else they go out of business. They will bid it out for you. I have my men do the install only because I can trust them and they know I expect things to be done a certain way for the long haul.
With stuff like that, I always say a visit is a must. No one will beat anyone's pricing over the internet or the phone.
I have Maytag for the past two rentals and they have been fine after three years. Our higher end rentals, we have to install something nicer, low end kitchen Aid, or Bosch. People often associated stainless steel with higher end or upscale appliances. When appliances go south, I don't bother to fix them, just buy new. It does two things. Makes the renter feel better and I know it will not have something go wrong in the next year.
Good luck