Photo by: Functoruser
Those home appliances that help make our homes run smoothly also come with big price tags.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save big on these major purchases. Here are a few ways to save:
Store sales. This is pretty obvious: You will save money if you take advantage of store sales. I often see major appliances go on sale after Christmas and in the fall, so keep an eye on those sale flyers.
Military discounts. Many of the big discount home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer military discounts throughout the year. Watch for military discounts around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day and look for those sale prices.
Consider buying used. Check the classified ads, estate sales, and Craigslist for folks that are selling their appliances. Recently the public housing complex near us sold their old apartment-size kitchen ranges for $35 each – a great bargain if you’re in dire need of a new range and have a small budget.
Ask on Freecycle. Sometimes people get new appliances and never have the old one hauled away. Ask on Freecycle and someone may just have that old refrigerator you’ve been looking for.
Federal Government Tax Credits. If you’re purchasing things like an HVAC system or a hot water heater, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit for 30 percent of your cost (up to $1,500).
EnergyStar rebates. You local public utility may offer rebates on products bearing the EnergyStar label. You can knock $25 to $100 off the cost of your purchase with these rebates. Keep in mind that these rebates often come in the form of a credit on your utility bill, so it won’t be exactly the same as getting cash back.
Manufacturer rebates. Check online to see if the manufacturer is offering any rebates on your appliance purchase. You can sometimes knock 10 to 20 percent off of the purchase price with these rebates.
Store rebates. Some stores offer rebates on their products as well. Be sure to ask if there are any rebate promotions or discounts on delivery and installation.
Competitor coupons. Many of the home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s will honor competitor coupons. So if you have a great coupon for Home Depot, but there’s an even better sale at Lowe’s, take that Home Depot coupon over to Lowe’s. And make sure you ask about price matching – many stores will match a competitor’s prices, too.
Dented appliances. Check out the scratch and dent options of the home appliance section. I’ve gotten $50 to $100 off slightly dented refrigerators. And the best part is that the dent isn’t where anyone can see it!
Use your rewards. Swagbucks, credit card rewards, MyPoints. I was able to use Swagbucks to help pay for my new fridge. I’ve also used gift cards I’ve earned from my credit card rewards and MyPoints to bring down my out-of-pocket expenses. Sometimes Sears offers discounts if you use their store credit card, so ask if using a store card will get you a discount.
What are some ways you save when buying major appliances?
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After the store sale and rebate, the manufacturer’s rebate, mass save rebates and the electric company rebate I ended up getting a $2400 Samsung french door fridge with 2 icemakers for exactly $1000 ! True, it’s was about 2 hours of paperwork and mailings but the way I look at it , I made $700 dollars an hour doing it ! I also got a $700 dishwasher for under $100 after similar rebates. Both are stainless steel and quiet and my electric bill has dropped by $30 per month ! I am using the rebate money to buy a new stove and microwave so I will have replaced all my appliances at minimal cost . Sales and rebates are well worth the time they take to track down.
Great advice on all the different ways to save on appliances. Many did not even take advantage of the rebate that was being offered for purchasing a new energy efficient fridge. You trade in your old one, fill out paperwork and rebate. I think there was a deadline, but I know we beat it. Sometimes I think people just want things easy, but do not realize how a little effort can go a long way.
Great ideas for saving on big purchases. We just bought a new home that only has a dishwasher — and an old one at that… One other thing to consider is that some large retailers have Family and Friends Day where an employee of the store can give a coupon (usually for 25% off) to a family member or friend. This is something I’ll be asking about because I have friends that work for Lowes, Sears, and Best Buy. We’re trying to keep everything off credit cards so matching this up with manufacturer rebates will be very good!!
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