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Given the high price of appliances these days, some may wonder how they’ll ever be able to afford a replacement when their washer or refrigerator eventually gives out. This is especially relevant now, with tariffs set to increase the cost of our goods, including appliances, which are susceptible to being manufactured in China.
We understand the worry, however, there’s no need to live a dishwasher or dryer that’s on its last leg. Believe it or not, especially in this economic climate, it’s possible to upgrade your kitchen or laundry room and save at least 20% (and sometimes as much as 75%) in the process. You just need to know how to save money when shopping for appliances.
As professional bargain hunters and shopping experts, we know exactly how to score deals on appliances. From when and where to shop to other tricks of the trade, these tips can help you save on appliances big time.
What Are the Best Places to Find Appliance Deals?
Appliances tend to last for years, so we aren’t often thinking about where to buy them. That means you might be left wondering where to shop when it’s time to replace an old or broken model.
When you want to save on appliances, we recommend checking the following retailers:
- Lowe’s has an impressive selection of appliances at reasonable prices.
- Home Depot also has a great selection as well as robust warranty and protection plans.
- Costco has free haul-away and delivery on most appliances and a generous return policy.
- Best Buy boasts more smart appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity than other stores.
Other retailers like Amazon and Wayfair can also be great places to check for appliance deals as well.
When Are the Best Times to Save on Appliances?
They say that timing is everything, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to finding appliance deals. Popular retailers tend to host appliance sales at certain times of the year.
In addition to offering appliance savings on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, stores also offer appliance deals (as much as $600 to $1,000 off) around the following holidays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
Another great time to save on appliances is during the fall. Between September and December, manufacturers release newer models of everything from stoves to dishwashers. As a result, the fall can often be a good time to find deals on appliance models from the previous year.
What Are the Best Ways to Save on Appliances?
Sometimes, you can’t wait until retailers host an appliance sale. After all, stoves and dryers don’t pay attention to sale schedules. The good news is that some simple savings tips can help you save on appliances, regardless of when you shop.
Look at Last Year’s Models
When the new appliance models are released, it’s out with the old and in with the new for retailers. As mentioned above, one way to save big is by buying an older model of a stove or refrigerator as new inventory comes in.
As stores are motivated to get older models out of their stores, you’ll see more deals on the models from last year. You can also haggle to try to get an even deeper discount. The result can be savings to the tune of hundreds of dollars!
Consider Scratch-and-Dent or Open-Box Appliances
Source – Best BuyIf you don’t mind an imperfection (or two) that doesn’t affect the function of an appliance, buying a scratch-and-dent or open-box model can help you save on appliances.
Here’s a look at what these terms mean:
- Scratch-and-dent refers to appliances with cosmetic damage like scratches or dents, as the name suggests. At Lowe’s, these types of appliances are as much as 50% off.
- Open-box appliances are ones that are either (1) returned but in good shape or (2) refurbished. You can often find open-box models at Best Buy and Home Depot.
These types of appliances still work just fine, so don’t judge a book by its cover. Besides, it’s what’s on the inside that matters!
Purchase Mid-Grade Appliance Models
You might think that the best savings come from purchasing the base model of kitchen and laundry room appliances. However, your best bet for getting a high-quality appliance for a good deal often is buying a middle-of-the-road model.
Appliances at this level are designed to last and come with the everyday features you need. However, they likely won’t include an AI assistant built into the unit. By buying appliances at this level, you can save hundreds of dollars without sacrificing on quality.
Explore Bundle Options
Source – Lowe’sHave you ever heard retailers say that you can save more when you buy more? It might sound like a gimmicky sales tactic, but it’s often true when it comes to appliances.
Buying two, three or more appliances is often cheaper than purchasing just one due to a practice called bundling. Appliance bundles can come in the form of lower prices or even a free appliance. This is a great option if you need to replace multiple items in your kitchen or laundry room at the same time.
Utilize Rebates and Cash-Back Offers
Source – RetailMeNotAppliances often come with rebates at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Typically, your purchase is eligible for a rebate if you make a multi-appliance purchase or spend a certain amount of money. For example, Home Depot has hosted Memorial Day sales in the past with rebates ranging from $100 to $500, depending on how much you spent.
While some rebates are instant, others are the old-fashioned mail-in rebates. As a result, you’ll want to read the fine print and make sure you know how to get your money back.
Speaking of getting money back, RetailMeNot partners with many appliance retailers to give bargain-hunters generous cash-back offers. Our cash back is basically free money. And considering how expensive appliances are, you’ll probably get a hefty amount of cash back when you shop with us.
Haggle
Many people think that “haggling” is a dirty word, but it’s actually a great way to save on appliances. You can ask for a lower price, which can be surprisingly effective, or you can ask for free extras like free delivery, installation or haul-away. Just keep in mind that this strategy is more effective on scratch-and-dent models and mid-range appliances compared to luxury ones.
Compare Prices Before You Buy
Finally, we’ve all heard that knowledge is power, and it’s true. Conducting research will help you find the right appliance model for your needs as well as give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for it. When you do land on a model you like, search the model on Google to see if retailers are charging a different price for it. One retailer may be running a promotion that’ll lower the cost of the appliance significantly, while another could be offering a measly 10% off discount. Employing these savings practices can not only help you find the best deal, but it can also give you the information you need to successfully negotiate a lower price.
Price Adjustments
In case you didn’t know, price adjustments can lower the cost of your purchase after you purchase it. So if you bought an appliance, then discover some time later that the price of the appliance decreased, you can call up the retailer and ask if they can discount the price. If you contact them within the time frame that they allow price adjustments, they’ll lower the price for you. Do note that price adjustment policies vary by retailer. If you can’t find their price adjustment policy online, call and ask!
Price Matching
In addition to price adjustments, retailers may also have price matching policies. Price matching is when a retailer lowers the price of a product because a competitor is selling it at a lower price. They do this to get customers to buy from them instead of their competitors. Same with price adjustment policies, price matching policies vary by retailer, and if you can’t find the policy online, contact the brand to ask.
The post 11 Ways To Score Major Discounts on All Kinds of Appliances appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
