BUYING TIPS FOR APPLIANCES

Before buying new appliances, consider these tips to put more money back into your pocket and less into the store. Start out by measuring your space; some homeowners go out and buy new appliances with the thought that one size fits all. Untrue! Measure your space and be cautious of extraneous details; e.g. If you have a galley kitchen, there isn’t a lot of room for wide swinging doors so a side-by-side refrigerator is your best bet. Little details like this can go a long way when deciding how to spend your hard-earned money.

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1. Buy Last Year’s Model: You may not need the latest to save the greatest. Look for quality and the best deal you can find. Retailers will hold sales when making room for the new appliances to stock their stores; spring debuts new refrigerators while cooking appliances are released in the fall and washer/dryers during the winter.
2. Shop Sales: Watch your local newspaper for Sunday circulars detailing any specials over three-day weekends, like President’s Day or Labor Day. Retailers offer great discounts at the holidays for consumers who are looking to spruce up their home for the holidays. Some states also offer tax-free weekends around the time tax refunds are heavily processed.
3. Check Out the Floor Model: Usually there is no box available, but the appliance works just as well as any that are in the back room. Since it has been on display, floor models are offered at a discounted price. If you like what you see and it’s available, go for it!
4. HAGGLE: Negotiate a better price with your salesperson, it’s expected of us at some of the big box stores and retailers do provide their salespeople some leeway, especially at major chains. According to Consumer Reports, only 10% of their subscribers who bought small appliances and 75% who bought major appliances tried to negotiate a better price. Around 75% of those who did succeeded!
5. Do Your Homework: Research brands and appliances online before heading out to shop. A subscription to Consumer Reports is invaluable for any big ticket buys. You may even decide to shop online rather than head to a store with long-lines or poor customer service. In some instances, you can even order your item online, then pick it up at the store which will save you shipping fees.
6. Avoid Rent-to-Own: It may sound like a terrific chance to see if you like the product and “test drive” it all for the low price of around $20 per week. But in the long run, you end up paying more for the appliance and if you decide against keeping it, chances are you paid quite a bit more than what you would have if you bought it outright.
7. Online markets: Some websites offer deals on dealer overstocks. Sites such as CraigsList.org, Amazon.com or froogle.com allow consumers to read reviews and compare prices in the comfort of their home. Look to see if there is a “dealer” notation so you know if you’re buying from a store and not a private seller. Most times, shipping is not included and you will have to move the appliance.
8. Look for the ENERGY Star symbol: Appliances with the energy conserving logo will save you money in the long run and decrease your carbon footprint.
9. Beware of Buying in Bulk: Retailers will bundle appliances to entice consumers with the more for less mentality. Check out each item in the bundle before buying. Sometimes, these “deals” will include a high end item with a great track record for performance but the other appliance is a lesser model which may not offer the same quality and may cost you service fees down the road.
10. Warranty Life
    Many warranties typically expire after three years, which is likely before you will even have problems with your appliance. According to some reports, less than one in five appliances require service in that time period. However, when a breakdown does occur, the average cost of repairing the appliance is not much more than the average price paid for the warranty.
    Read the Fine Print
    Extended warranties often contain loopholes, such as not covering problems caused by normal wear and tear. The warranty may also be non-transferrable from one owner to another. For example, that lifetime guarantee you received on your new roof may not extend to the owner of your home when you sell. You need to read the fine print. Another example of a warranty woe, it may not cover the labor costs only parts. Check the guarantee before agreeing to anything.
    Overall, an extended warranty may not seem like a deal in which you want to invest. Consumer Reports advises against purchasing extended warranties which can run you $50 and up on your purchase for something you may not really need and isn’t saving you money on that great deal.
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