Budget Buys for Bath and Kitchen : * American Premium Distributors now offers major appliances, plumbing items and fixtures for little over cost.

Thirteen years ago, when I first discovered American Premium Distributors, they were selling jewelry, pens, small appliances along with a few major, plus some other merchandise, all at excellent prices. Since then, they purchased the building they occupy and expanded their operation at the same location. It’s a whole new ballgame.

They liquidated the jewelry, pens and small appliances, and now deal in major appliances, doors, windows, plumbing and, in general, fixtures for the kitchen or bath at prices that hover a small percentage over cost.

When I revisited APD a few days after the Jan. 17 earthquake, every available staff member was working with a customer, poring over plans.

According to part-owner Stacey Fisch, daughter of founders Bob and Kevy Greenwald, half of the business at American Premium Distributors is from the sale of plumbing equipment. There are catalogues and floor models to look at from such companies as Kohler, Raphael, Grohe and Price-Pfister, and items are available at competitive prices. A single-lever kitchen faucet with pullout spray from Price-Pfister is popular, selling for $147 instead of the $227 list price.

A cast-iron steeping, or deeper, bathtub by Kohler is a new, sought-after product that lists for about $1,342. But the price here is $872.

Whatever the specific need, Fisch recommends that the homeowner purchase plumbing fixtures directly to eliminate any markup by trades people.

Major appliances represent another large part of this family-owned and -operated business. Almost all of the upscale names in built-in or free-standing appliances are available.

Nutone, Kitchen-Aid, Caloric, Vent-A-Hood, Gaggenau and Jenn-Air are a few. One Jenn-Air built-in single, self-cleaning convection oven sells elsewhere for about $750, but the price here is $649. A popular Whirlpool side-by-side, 25-cubic-foot refrigerator with ice and water through the door is $1,159 instead of the $1,400 many retailers ask.

Door and window manufacturing companies represented by APD include A.A.W. Inc., International, Anderson, Fleetwood and Velux. One standard size interior paneled door from T. M. Cobb is $34.50 instead of $69.60.

Where and When What: American Premium Distributors.

Location: 8644 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Cards: None.

Call: (310) 839-2338.