Where Should You Buy Appliances? | Reviews by Wirecutter
Dec. 16, 2024
Where Should You Buy Appliances? | Reviews by Wirecutter
The leading retailers, whether local, regional, or national, are known for their complimentary delivery services, bringing your appliance right to the designated room. They offer free installation for straightforward setups—like simply plugging in a power cord or connecting a few hoses—or typically charge under $100 for more intricate installations. They will also take away your old appliance at no extra cost and will act on your behalf with manufacturers for any warranty issues, sometimes even handling the service themselves.
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When it comes to pricing, you might find little variability across retailers since many have adopted price-matching policies. Although most retailers stock the leading appliance brands, exceptions do exist—if you’re after something particular, you may need to base your choice of retailer on availability.
It is quite common for major appliance stores to include free delivery in their offerings, with most retailers transporting appliances inside your home to your specified location. However, be cautious, as some retailers only provide free delivery to the front door or curb and may impose a delivery fee regardless of the situation. Furthermore, keep in mind that national chains often collaborate with third-party delivery services, leading to inconsistent delivery quality.
For scheduling delivery, most retailers allow you to select the delivery date. Some provide options for a preferred four-hour window on that date, while others assign a time slot a day in advance. Excellent retailers even have weekend delivery options available.
If you require an old appliance to be hauled away, expect to pay around $20 for this service, although certain retailers may include it gratis with your purchase and installation. Given the hassle of disposing of used appliances, having this service included is quite beneficial.
Installation of your new appliance may or may not be included in the purchase price, depending largely on the retailer and the appliance type. Expect additional charges for complicated installations that go beyond simple connections. While installation might be offered for free, be prepared to buy new connectors (like water lines or dryer ducts, sometimes referred to as an 'installation kit') as a condition for the installation, a standard industry practice.
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Reputable retailers advocate on your behalf for warranty claims. Each major appliance comes with a manufacturer's warranty covering parts and labor for typically one year. Unfortunately, many manufacturers provide subpar customer service, leading to long waits and unresolved issues. When a retailer steps in as a partner to the manufacturer, the process usually becomes much smoother. While many retailers also offer extended warranties, that’s a discussion for another time.
The ideal appliance retail experience might come from a store with an in-house service team equipped to handle repairs on the appliances they sell and respond to service requests promptly (a week or sooner for most appliances; quicker for refrigerators). Unfortunately, this is becoming increasingly rare, with many retailers relying on third-party companies to manage delivery and installation and being uninvolved in warranty services.
How to Get the Best Deal When Buying New Appliances
How to Get the Best Deal When Buying New Appliances
Two years ago, my husband and I faced the challenge of buying three essential items: a refrigerator, washer, and dryer. Now, we're in search of a new dishwasher, and the prices of these appliances are quite shocking.
During a recent trip to the refrigeration section, it was difficult to find a unit priced below $2,000—unless you opted for the most basic, smallest models available.
While appliance prices continue to rise, there are ways to acquire brand new items at a more manageable cost. Here are some helpful suggestions:
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Search for Barely Used
I am generally open to buying used products to save a bit of money, but I tend to shy away from used appliances due to the difficulty of finding specific models.
My husband diligently researches various brands and models on Consumer Reports and reads through customer reviews prior to buying. In my experience, the sought-after brands and models rarely appear on platforms like Craigslist.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial not to lose hope! Instead of searching for used appliances, look for those that are barely used or in 'like-new' condition.
Seek out those expensive models that are unexpectedly marked down to affordable prices. Sometimes, these can be found at clearance sales or may require some travel, but the savings could be substantial.
Pay with Discounted Gift Cards
When we anticipated spending a significant amount on our appliances, we opted to purchase several discounted gift cards. We turned to eBay, aiming to bid on premium gift cards only.
Typically, people are less inclined to purchase a $500 gift card, which allowed us to acquire it for about $450-470 instead. Multiply that savings by the number of gift cards needed, and you've already saved $100 solely by purchasing discounted gift cards online.
Moreover, there’s the potential of earning cash back (or in our case, eBay bucks) from these purchases, leaving us with additional funds for future expenses. A quick online search for discounted gift cards unveils several reputable platforms.
Shop Sales and Price Match
According to Consumer Reports, December is noted as the prime month for buying home appliances, but I’ve found that significant sales often occur around Memorial Day or President’s Day at major retailers, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
In our case, we had all our Lowe’s gift cards ready, but it turned out Best Buy offered the same washer and dryer set for $400 less. After contacting Lowe’s customer service, they were willing to match Best Buy’s price, enabling us to use our gift cards. Additionally, the sales representative provided us with an extra discount due to our intention to utilize a coupon and cash back site.
Always let the salesperson know that you plan to shop online for further potential savings (for instance, Ebates offers 3% cash back on online Lowe’s purchases); they might be inclined to add that extra discount. It never hurts to ask!
Buy the Floor Model
When it was time to pick a refrigerator, we opted for a floor model that was already discounted. It had a minor dent, which we pointed out for an additional price reduction.
Moreover, we secured an even better deal because the Lowe’s team initially experienced difficulties with our washer and dryer installation (stay tuned for more details in my next post).
Ultimately, we paid about $1,200 for a stainless steel fridge, including free delivery and installation, which was originally priced at $2,800. That’s a remarkable savings of $1,600!
As you embark on your search for new appliances, apply these strategies to potentially save 50% or more on your purchases! Use the money saved for other items you've been eyeing.
What are some additional methods to save on appliance purchases? Share your insights on securing the best deals.
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