[kroltan]

That's exactly the advantage of sneakernet shopping, you can ask to see the product in operation.

[dhosek]

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a microwave offered for sale that was plugged in at the store at any store. Ditto for any consumer electronics other than TVs and computers (and I guess stereos).

Maybe at Fry‘s they had the microwaves plugged in? I don’t remember.

[kroltan]

Yeah I don't think I ever saw one either, but at least over here you can bring it over to a counter, or request an employee to turn it on and test.

Obviously not viable for evaluating continued operation for something like a fridge, but just turning it on for the panels is usually possible.