I'd buy from a store nearby so that you can easily return the noisy,
defective ones. Quality control in ceiling fans seems to be something
unknown to the manufacturers.

Peter wrote:

I need to purchase 4 ceiling fans of various designs
and sizes.... which manufacturers would you recommend...

I'm next to a Home Depot which carries both Hunter
and Hamptom Bay... there has been some discussion
about the level of customer service at Hunter and I
suspect Hamptom Bay is a HD "house brand " ...
(my experience is that HD house brands are largely
garbage)...

Any good online sources ???

thanks for your advice and suggestions !!!

Peter