Looking to save money? Here’s the best time to buy new appliances

If you’re looking to buy new home and kitchen appliances, timing is everything.

Key tips to remember

  • If you have the time to plan ahead for a major appliance purchase, there’s a best time of year to target.
  • Appliances break down and urgent needs arise. If you don’t have the time to wait for the right season, look for the next holiday.
  • If you can’t wait, you can still save money by shopping in-store on a slower weekday near the end of the month – and price haggling.

When is the best time to buy appliances? Okay, so timing isn’t exactly everything, but when you’ve decided to make a major purchase like one or more new household appliances, timing can end up making a significant difference in how much you spend. Even if you’re not outfitting an entire kitchen, it’s easy to spend thousands without even considering top-of-the-line models. First off, if you’re buying in person, always remember to negotiate. There’s nothing to lose, no harm in asking, and the response you get just might surprise you, especially if you time it right.

If you think you can squeeze a little more life out of that old refrigerator before pressing the big red BUY button on that fancy new model you spotted online, relax. Give yourself a little time to do your homework and shop around first. Major household appliance purchases shouldn’t be snap decisions. These purchases are best made after you’ve armed yourself with some knowledge about what’s on the market today, what your particular needs are, how available technology has changed, and perhaps most of all, when to look for the best deals. If you can plan ahead, you can determine the best appliances to buy for your needs and budget while saving yourself considerable money.

Seasonality matters.

If you’re wondering about the best time to buy appliances, you’re in the right place. Time your research and shopping with the seasons, and begin in the fall. Manufacturers of most larger appliances (except refrigerators) typically begin rolling out new appliances for the kitchen and laundry room – like washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens and microwaves – in September and October, which means that last year’s models will be discounted to make room for the new inventory. If you’ve done your homework and know what you want, now’s the time to buy. If you’re not ready to buy in the fall and need extra time to save for a big appliance purchase, wait for January.

In the first month of the new year, you might find a few of last year’s models lingering in stock, and you may be able to convince retailers to drop the purchase price even more, since they will likely be extra motivated to make way for newer models. New refrigerator models, on the other hand, usually make their debut in summertime, so you’re likely to get the jump on the best deals on last year’s refrigerators in May, when retailers are starting to clear out some shelf space.

Best appliances to buy during certain seasons

For everything there is a season, and if you’re a well-informed, budget-conscious consumer, the purchase of your home’s major appliances is no exception to this old saying. Smart shoppers, however, also pay attention to holidays.

Even if you’re not planning your appliance purchases far enough ahead to shop seasonally, holiday weekends – which happen year-round – are a sure bet for some degree of discount on household appliances. In addition to the big-name holidays at year’s end, at least seven other holidays are peppered throughout the calendar, and you can bet there’ll be appliance sales during most, if not all of them.

Don’t forget back-to-school sales on more portable appliances for dorm rooms, or off-season specials (think outdoor grills in the winter, or gas fireplaces in the summer) that can add up to big savings. Still, the rule is that if you keep an eye on the seasons, you can optimize your purchasing power.

Appliances to buy any time of the year Sometimes emergencies happen, and planning ahead is no longer an option. Fridges fail. Stoves surrender. Washers wash out. When your food is spoiling, or you can’t cook it or clean up after it as you’d prefer, you’re in the middle of an appliance emergency. But don’t panic. You can still find a great deal.

First, check online. Great deals pop up and disappear all the time. Sometimes, when you purchase large appliances online, you can even get free shipping, though you may be charged extra for removal of the old appliances and installation of the new ones.

If you need to buy quickly and prefer shopping in person, remember that sales staff often earn commissions on sales of new appliances, and sometimes that includes monthly sales targets or quotas. If you can, wait until the end of the month and show up on a weekday when the store is less crowded. Make a solid attempt to negotiate, and you could be surprised by how much money you’ll save – any time of the year.

Smart appliances and appliance warranties

Part of being a well-informed appliance shopper means learning about how much technology has changed today’s appliance marketplace, particularly with the arrival of smart appliances. If you’re new to the category and haven’t heard of smart appliances, you might want to keep a few things in mind.

A smart appliance connects to the internet, which creates a new level of convenience but also introduces new pros and cons to your appliance-purchasing decisions. Smart appliances are often more energy efficient and can reduce your energy expenses over time, but they’re also more expensive up front. They can be controlled and monitored from your smartphone, but this convenience comes with an element of security risk.

Smart appliances can also make maintenance much easier, though they may require more of it. Smart appliances are great at letting you know when they need something, but not everyone likes the idea of a text from their refrigerator or notifications from their washing machine!

It’s best to consider your lifestyle, budget and preferences when doing your research into whether smart appliances are right for you. If, after looking into it and finding more pros on your list than cons, you’re starting to lean toward a purchase, first consider which smart appliances are right for you.

When it comes to the longevity and reliability of your home’s appliances, the addition of an appliances warranty or warranty coverage designed specifically for your appliances (in addition to the original manufacturer’s limited warranty) can be included in a home warranty. Sometimes known as a protection plan, like a home protection plan from Cinch Home Services, a home warranty can offer you a sense of relief and ensure that you’re covered in the event of an appliance or system breakdown.

Cinch makes it easy to cover all your major appliances, all your home’s core systems, or both, with affordable, award-winning plans that deliver peace of mind and help keep your home running reliably and comfortably.

Get a free quote today!


The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
 

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