Come on – do you really believe that a whirring box in your window is a sin against nature? Chill out: This is New York, where even the mosquitoes head for the East End in July. An inexpensive, 5,000-Btu unit is more than adequate to cool your tiny bedroom – and anyone with a glass cutter and a screwdriver can install one in a standard window. Convinced? Shop here.
EBA Wholesale Corp. sells mostly to the trade but has recently begun filling phone orders for the public. Prices here are usually 15 to 20 percent off list (sometimes much more): a General Electric 5,000-Btu is $170; a Friedrich 6,300-Btu is $343. Manhattan and Brooklyn delivery is $30. No installations.
For a deal on a used A/C, call Ace Air Conditioning in Astoria (“It’s all by phone,” says the manager). The warehouse has about 2,000 secondhand units (plus tons of discounted new ones). Used stuff is from $150 for a 5,000-Btu General Electric to $700 for more powerful items. Delivery, basic installation, and one-year guarantee included.
In June, call Home Sales Enterprises. In an annual sale, the discounter takes an extra 20 percent off all air conditioners: the Friedrich 6,300-Btu is $342 (list $417), and a through-the-wall Westinghouse 10,000-Btu is $457. Free local delivery (extra for New Jersey, Connecticut, and Suffolk County). Installation starts at $75.
Lugging your purchase home cuts delivery costs and waiting. In Manhattan, avoid upscale home shops (which charge list price) and head to Bernie’s Discount Center for 20 percent lower prices: The Friedrich 6,300-Btu is $359, a hefty Panasonic 11,500-Btu is $429. Delivery is $15 (in elevator buildings, more for walk-ups), and the most basic installation is $40-$65.
EBA Wholesale Corp., 2361 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn (718-252-4000); Ace Air Conditioning, 24-81 47th St., Astoria (406-2256); Home Sales Enterprises, 1253 E. 70th St., Brooklyn (718-241-3272); Bernie’s Discount Center, 821 Sixth Ave., near 28th St. (564-8582).
Picks of the Week
Leigh Bantivoglio’s lacy silk lingerie can be worn out in warm weather. At the sample sale, pay half price: panties are $35, camisoles are $50, slips are $65. Sizes S-L. 230 W. 41st St., Suite 1805 (398-4772); cash only; Wed-Thurs. 11-7; 6/16-6/17.
Madison Avenue Maternity & Baby imports stylish French and Italian clothes for moms-to-be. Most summer stuff is now half price: dresses are $99-$279; pants are $49-$99. Sizes P-XL. 1043 Madison Ave., near 79th St. (988-8686); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. till 6, Sun. noon-5; 6/14-6/28.
Tardini’s sleek Italian leather accessories, sold at Bergdorf’s and Saks, are about 60 percent off here: belts are $30-$180; leather bags (pictured) are $90-$200; alligator bags are $600-
$3,000. 12 W. 57th St., Suite 1005 (664-1965); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-6; 6/14-6/18.
i santi’s enormous sample sale of classic, high-end leather goods offers stock at 65 to 85 percent off: wallets are $9-$49, handbags are $9-$129, briefcases are $79-$189. Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 Seventh Ave., at 33rd St., third floor; A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 10-5; 6/14-6/19.
Gerard Yosca’s cute enamel-and-rhinestone jewelry and hair accessories (seen at Bergdorf’s and Saks) are 50 to 80 percent off at the sample sale, from $10 for small barrettes to $20 for pendant necklaces. 39 W. 38th St., tenth floor (302-4349); cash only; Thurs. 10-6, Fri. till 2; 6/17-6/18.
ALWAYS A DEAL
Punch Line
’We develop the mind and the body,” sighs an instructor at Bo Law Kung Fu Association when asked if the group’s martial-arts workout will make you skinny. (The answer’s yes – plus you’ll come away stronger and more focused.) Classes are led by kung fu champ Paul Koh and a team of black-belt instructors. Take a free trial class, then mention New York Magazine to get a twelve-class card (valid for a year) and a nifty black kung fu suit for $100. 385 Broadway, near White St., Suite 3R (925-3339).