How Sloan Appliance Built a Trusted Brand Over 65 Years in the South Carolina Midlands

Scott Klintworth is one of my students in the Applied Digital Marketing course I’m teaching at Johns Hopkins University this spring. He and his wife Debbie recently took over Sloan Appliance, a family business that’s been serving the South Carolina Midlands since 1958.

What they are doing at Sloan Appliance reflects exactly what we teach—how to build trust, serve your community, and grow a local service business the right way. This is the kind of impact we want every student to make.

Sloan Appliance started with Leo and Virginia Sloan, who quickly earned a reputation for top-notch service. In the 1960s, a Whirlpool executive was so impressed that Sloan became one of the first factory-authorized service centers in the country.

Over the years, the company expanded across the region while staying focused on quality. Fred Holbrook took over in 2010, growing service into areas like Aiken and Charleston while keeping that same commitment to excellence.

In 2023, Scott and Debbie stepped in with over two decades of industry experience.

They’ve taken the reins with a clear mission: honor the legacy while continuing to innovate and serve the community.

As Scott Klintworth stated upon acquisition, “We are dedicated to upholding the legacy of quality service that the company has established while also exploring opportunities for growth and innovation in the field.”  Under this new ownership, the company still “continues to do business as Sloan Appliance” and retains its local focus and trusted name.

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A Sloan Appliance technician providing friendly, on-site service. Customers frequently praise the professionalism and expertise of Sloan’s team.

Through each generation of owners, Sloan Appliance has remained synonymous with reliability and hometown service in the Cayce and Columbia area.

Customer Testimonials & Online Reviews

One of the strongest reflections of Sloan Appliance’s reputation comes from its customers. Across numerous online platforms, Sloan Appliance earns high marks and glowing reviews for its service quality. On Angi (formerly Angie’s List), for example, the company maintains an overall 4.6 out of 5 star rating across nearly 200 customer reviews.

The vast majority (over 80%) of Angi reviewers give Sloan a full 5-star score, citing the company’s consistency and expertise. “They do very consistent work. They are very good and thorough… If you want it done right the first time, give them a call,” wrote one customer after a repair.

Sloan Appliance also enjoys excellent feedback on Google, carrying roughly a 4.6-star rating on Google Maps as well.

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A screenshot of Sloan Appliance’s Google Business Profile

Customers often single out the technicians by name in their praise. “Our stove was checked out by [a] service representative, Jaden. He was very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend Sloan Appliance Service,” one homeowner shared in a testimonial.

Another customer wrote on Yelp, “I am surprised to see even a single negative review of Sloan Appliance. Any time that we’ve had a choice, we have always chosen Sloan and never been disappointed,” attesting to years of satisfactory service.

Yet another reviewer highlighted the staff’s punctuality and preparedness: “Frank was professional, on time, and had all the tools necessary to complete the repair,” demonstrating the company’s focus on thorough, hassle-free fixes.

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Some of the most recent verified reviews from Sloan Appliance’s customers

These consistent positive experiences translate into trust. Many clients are repeat customers who have relied on Sloan Appliance for multiple appliance issues over time.

The Better Business Bureau also reflects this strong customer satisfaction – Sloan Appliance holds an A+ BBB rating, the highest possible, and is an accredited business committed to upholding BBB’s Standards for Trust.

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BBB Rating of Sloan Appliance

This A+ rating, combined with a history free of unresolved complaints, is yet another signal that Sloan Appliance delivers on its promises of quality service. In short, the community’s voice is clear: Sloan Appliance is a trusted, go-to provider for appliance repair, as evidenced by the numerous 5-star reviews and heartfelt testimonials across Google, Yelp, Facebook recommendations, and more.

Building Your Brand with Purpose

Scott and Debbie’s journey with Sloan Appliance exemplifies the impact of combining dedication with the right strategies. If you’re looking to build your personal brand and make a meaningful difference in your community, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations. He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications. Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries. Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.