article

How To Score A Deal On Home Appliances

By Jaymi Naciri via Realty Times

bluehammer
the-majors.com

Who doesn't dream of a kitchen full of shiny, new appliances. Raise your hand if you want a new refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave - and, hey, let's throw in a washer and dryer, too - but don't want to pay top dollar for them. The expense is definitely a bummer when it comes to buying new, but you don't have to go broke to get what you want. Use a few tips and tricks to get a great deal.

Buy at the right time

You can't go a week without seeing some kind of sale on appliances at one of the big box stores. But if you haven't been researching for a while, you might not know when a deal is really a deal. Turns out, there are certain times of the year when you can get a better value on appliances.

"When it comes to landing bargains on major appliances, timing is everything. And the best time to buy home appliances is when stores need you more than you need a new home appliance," said Houselogic. "September, October, and January when manufacturers roll out new home appliance models, and retailers are eager to move last year's inventory. (Refrigerators are the exception. New models come out in the spring.)"

Also note these times: The last days of the month, "when stores are desperate to meet quotas and are more likely to dicker over prices; and certain holidays, like "Labor Day, Memorial Day, President's Day, Black Thursday (Friday, Saturday) - when stores take advantage of your day off and slash prices."

bluehammer Bosch

Ask about price matching

This is a service provided by many stores, and one that many of use fail to take advantage of. Retailers like Sears, Best Buy, Lowe's and Home Depot will match the price for similar items - embrace the challenging of matching up identical product numbers. If it's off by one number or letter, it's a no-go. Even better is Home Depot offering 10 percent off competitor prices. "Best Buy also matches online prices with competitors like Amazon," they said.

Check outlet stores

Best Buy and Sears have outlet stores where discounted merchandise is available, and Designer Home Surplus is the official outlet for Elite Appliance, offering appliances at discounted prices. You can get a great deal on a refurbished or open-box item at these stores. If you're not stuck on something brand-new or that's never been used or even looked at, this might be a great option for you.

Scratch and Dent

The idea of a "scratch and dent" product may sound rather unattractive, but it's actually a great way to get a brand-new appliance that might have a little blemish at a big savings. Google the term and see what comes up in your local market. We did and found Oliver Dyers Appliance, which has a "14,000 square foot scratch and dent warehouse packed full of savings," including "FIVE TRUCKLOADS of near-perfect stainless steel French-door refrigerators with savings of 50% or more," and a dare: "We'll give you an extra $100 off if you can find the imperfection!"

Many of these items have a small scratch or dent in a place you can't even see - like on the side, which won't show once the appliance is installed.

Shop Pre-Owned

Who says your appliances have to be new? You'd be surprised how many ideal items are out there being rehomed by people who just renovated their kitchen and got rid of a perfectly good refrigerator or bought a new home and gutted everything even though it was all brand new because they hadn't picked it out themselves. Their loss is your gain.

The obvious place to start these days is Craigslist. "Craigslist is one of the best sources for finding local private sellers who are looking to quickly offload equipment they no longer need," said Remodelista. "DIY remodelers Ada Egloff and Rick Banister bought their Viking range from a Craigslist seller near them for $500."

Ebay is another good option; be sure to search locally since you probably don't want to pay to have a front-loading washer shipped across the country from a private seller. Have you joined Nextdoor yet? You might be surprised what your neighbors are getting rid of, and because you're buying within your local community, there's an added sense of security.

There are a number of great spots for pre-owned luxury appliances, but they tend to be tied to local markets (Green Demolitions in New Jersey, Earthwise Architectural Salvage in Seattle). Check in your local area.

Some appliance repair shops may also have inventory to sell. North Dallas Appliance Repair buys and sells "a good selection of gently used refrigerators, washers, dryers, and cooking products" and specifies that they only deal with appliances in excellent condition - we don't buy junk."

bluehammer Pinterest

Consider what you really need

It's easy to walk into the appliance section of Best Buy and be seduced by the $4,000 French door refrigerator-freezer with the mood lighting and the ability to make - not just water - but sparkling water(!) from the door. But, let's be serious. Do you really need all that?

In our household, no one but the dogs ever drank from the water in the door—because, apparently, they don't think it "tastes funny." So, when it was time for a new refrigerator, we saved several hundreds of dollars by going without the in-door water and ice. Problem solved, money saved.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Bright Ideas: How to Light Up Your Rooms

These clever tricks banish dim interiors and dark corners, and usher natural light into the house.

Replacing Your Bathroom Sink and Faucet

Replacing your old sink and faucet can make a big aesthetic difference in your bathroom.

A Homeowner's Guide To Water Filtration

Is a home water treatment system a luxury or a necessity? Based on surveys commissioned by the Water Quality Association (an industry trade group), people who viewed water treatment as a luxury rose from 50 to 54 percent between 2013 and 2015.

8 Laundry Rooms That'll Make You Want To Fluff And Fold

Let's face it. Laundry is no fun. In fact, it's often counted among our most hated chores. But since running around in stinky, soiled clothes is not an option for most of us, it's gotta get done.

How To Create A Statement Ceiling

Are things looking up in your home? How about people? If there's nothing to draw their eye up, you may be missing out on a great decorating opportunity. Today, the ceiling is being called the "fifth wall," and it's a great place to add color, texture, and interest to a space that is often ignored.

Using the Homeowners Insurance Report to Gauge Your Insurance Coverage

When it comes to knowing how much homeowners insurance you need, running the Bluebook Homeowners Insurance report gives you insight into the potential costs to rebuild your home and the value of your home contents.

How To Cut Your Costs Building A Pool

Having a pool can be one of the most enjoyable parts of homeownership, but building it can be an expensive undertaking. "If you're planning to install a pool, be prepared to open your wallet," said US News. "PK Data reports that the average cost of a residential in-ground swimming pool was $39,084 last year."

7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

Understanding Hard Water (and How to Solve It)

Do you have hard water? If you notice spots and films on glasses that come straight from the dishwasher, or you can't seem to work up a good lather when washing your hands, it's a good bet that you do.

Making Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Your home is your place to rest, play, and spend time with your family. It should be a place of comfort, and this comfort need not come at a high cost. Many homes, however, waste a lot of energy in ways that can be prevented. Here are five ways to make your home more energy-efficient.

See More Articles