Whether you are renovating your home or moving to a new one, spending on home appliances, especially electric goods, becomes important more often. I, too, did that a couple of years ago while shifting my base to a new city. And I was shocked to learn the prices of the appliances.
I recently went to the market to buy a new refrigerator and found nothing for less than $2,000. The smallest models are cheaper, but those cannot serve my purpose. The prices of home appliances are spiking up at a rapid pace, though there are some smart ways to own brand-new items at unbeatable prices.
Timely Purchase
The simplest way to save on home appliances is to shop during sale events. Keep an eye out at these times:
- Holiday Sales: Major home appliances go on sale around major holidays like Black Friday, Memorial Day, or Labor Day. Retailers marked down prices significantly during that period, so it was a great time to save.
- End-of-the-Year and Clearance Sales: Each year, a new model comes out. It is usually in the fall, so stores have room for clearance sales of older models to make space for a new shipment of the latest model. The deals are usually found at the end of December or early January.
- Back-to-School Sales: If you are looking to buy a microwave or a mini-fridge, you should buy in July-August during back-to-school sales.
Timely planning will save you a lot of money, and if possible, you can wait for these peak sales times.
Buy Online and Compare Prices from Price Comparison Websites
Compared to the past, comparing prices is now very easy because of the Internet, where many stores post prices, the best deals, and other information online. You can do it on websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, or you can use price comparison tools like Google Shopping. Online reviews can also tell you about appliances’ durability and performance.
Remember to watch for online-only deals. Many e-commerce sites offer deals that brick-and-mortar stores do not. Additionally, many retailers offer price matching; if you find a lower price somewhere else, they will match it at your chosen retailer.
Shop For Open-Box or Floor Models
If you do not mind a few superficial dings and dents, save hundreds by buying an open-box or floor-model appliance. These appliances usually have not been used much by the time they show up in a store, so they should work just as well as any other. Some stores also offer warranties on the model, so be sure to ask about coverage and return policies.
Buy Energy-Efficient Models for Long-Term Savings
Energy-efficient appliances will cost you a little more initially, but they will pay in terms of saving money in your pockets over time on energy bills. For the ENERGY STAR label, you know that the appliance you choose meets government energy efficiency standards. Besides reducing the monthly bill, energy-efficient models can also offer rebates or tax credits through some states for purchasing an ENERGY STAR appliance.
You can also find the approximate energy cost on the yellow EnergyGuide label for most appliances. Calculating some numbers of your possible annual savings may tip the scale in the direction of buying an energy-efficient appliance.
Join the in-store alerts and loyalty programs
Many retailers have loyalty schemes that allow you to sign up for their email newsletters. These newsletters inform you about sales and promotions that are available only through the mailer. Many such schemes permit you to get special offers, rewards points for your purchases, etc. Most of the redeeming offers can be converted into savings or gift cards for future purchases.
Cash-back and Coupon Sites
All cash-back websites and apps, like Rakuten and Honey, help you save extra money when shopping for appliances online. Such service platforms offer you cash back on some purchases from particular retailers and also offer coupons or discount codes that you might not find on any other platform. Combining those deals can significantly reduce the final price.
Negotiate with Sales Representatives
When buying at a physical shop, do not hesitate to ask if they could give a little room on the discount, especially when one is procuring many appliances. Many salespersons will grant discounts or even free delivery if you politely ask them to. Sometimes, saying that an identical version has been seen cheaper at another retailer is enough to get a person to open the gates to negotiating a better price.
Refrain From Forgetting Pre-Owned or Remanufactured Versions
They are often refurbished and used, but they can be a good value – especially if you’re not too picky about having the newest model. Stores and online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace sell used or certified refurbished appliances. Be sure to check on the credibility of the seller and whether there’s a warranty attached.
Buy Bundled Packages
If you are replacing several appliances at once, you can also look at package deals. Most retailers offer a reduction when purchasing more than one appliance from the same manufacturer or in the same store. For instance, buying a refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher in one package will save you thousands. Package deals are a dream come true when remodeling an entire kitchen and ensure you will have an all-matching appearance to all of your appliances.
Be on the lookout for Added Fees
Saving on appliances is not just about how much something costs initially. Often, these sorts of hidden charges include delivery or installation fees and extended warranties, which add up in total value.
Consider asking whether such costs could be absorbed through free delivery or installation or even setting up some smaller appliances yourself.
For the warranties themselves, experts say that extended warranties are not really necessary and hardly worth it, especially when you know the appliances are from well-reviewed companies known for their durability. Quality will definitely outdo price when avoiding future repair bills.
Our Tried and Tested Tips Purchase barely used items.
I just want to own the entire market when I am out to buy something. I have never been fond of buying second-hand items as it is never easy to find a particular item that is up to the mark and what I want. However, the new brand models never come cheap on pocket.
So what is the way out? I have opted for barely used appliances. They are almost new but come easy on my wallet. What is more, I can find a model that suits my requirements.
Payment via discounted credit cards
We first decided how much we would spend on appliances and, according to the assessment, bought multiple discounted gift cards. Consumers do not like purchasing a gift card worth $500, which will cause them to spend $450-470. Multiply the figure by the number of gift cards you own, and the savings per card will be $100.
Price match and short sales
Most consumers are in the habit of purchasing home appliances in December. But from my personal experience, I can tell you that most of the big brands offer sales on President’s Day or Memorial Day.
I called Lowe’s customer care division, and they informed me about the price to match Best Buy’s offer. I was allowed to make payments via my gift cards. Do not forget to inform the salesperson that you want to purchase online to save more.
Purchase floor model
We chose floor models for our refrigerator and dishwasher. We found minor scratches on both of them and when we told the sales professionals about that, they offered us further discounts.
If you plan to shop for new appliances, follow the above-mentioned tips to enjoy around 50% off your purchase. You can use that surplus to make another purchase.
Conclusion
Getting the best deals on home appliances doesn’t have to be a hassle. Shop at the right time, compare prices among those energy-efficient options and look for deals and loyalty programs to save some good money without compromising quality.
The smartest buys are always well-researched and well-timed with sales events. So go ahead and upgrade your home with absolute confidence, knowing that you have saved both money and energy.