Buying major home appliances can be an expensive ordeal, and it can cause more headache than excitement. There are hundreds of options on the market for any given large appliance. Taking the time to research each one and compare prices to find the best deal can be overwhelming. And in case you’re a modern-day farmer, you will want to take a look at our Cloudponics review, a fully automated system for growing that you can control right from your smartphone.
So, what is the best time to buy appliances? If you buy at the right time, you can be sure to save money in the long run. Speaking of money, take a look at how Google increases Chromebook hacking prize to $100,000.
We researched all the ins and outs of buying appliances. Our research included comparing prices of the highest-selling models throughout the year to find out when you should buy. If you also want to know the best books to buy, you should also take a look at how the Hawking Index knows what you’re reading. And if you want to save some bucks while shopping, check our post on the best prices on appliances.
When NOT to Buy Appliances
Before we jump into learning about the best times to buy, it’s important to understand when NOT to buy a new appliance. This can be just as important when it comes to saving you money and stress.
Don’t buy the brand-new model right when it releases. Manufacturers are almost guaranteed to reduce prices in the months following the release, especially during the times listed below. If you want the new model, be patient and wait for a sale.
Related:
Don’t wait to buy a new appliance until you have no other choice. Many people wait until their fridges or air conditioners die completely before even thinking about purchasing a new one. If you put yourself in a situation where you have an emergency need, you can bet that you won’t want to wait until a deal comes around.
You also lose your bargaining power, which means you lose out on more money from your credit card overall.
Now that you know when not to buy, let’s take a look at the best times of the year to get that new microwave or range.
Holiday Weekends Are a Great Time to Buy an Appliance
By far, holiday weekends are the best time to purchase a new appliance. Retailers love dropping prices just to get more people into their stores.
Keep your eye on Labor Day, Memorial Day and President’s Day weekend sales.
Stores usually send out their sale ads in the weeks before the sales start so you can get a good idea of what prices are going to be before you even leave the house.
Don’t forget about Black Friday, either! The day after Thanksgiving is one of the craziest shopping days of the year, but for good reason.
The best deals of the year happen during this time, but most people focus on purchasing consumer goods like TVs or smartphones. If you’re lucky, you might be able to skip the line and save thousands on a new fridge or washer and dryer combo.
Related: Have a look at the best super glues available on the market.
The only downside about shopping the holiday weekends for new appliances are the crowds. A relaxing day off work may be full of fighting crowds and limited quantities instead. However, the savings are worth it for that extra home improvement.
When a New Model is Released
As we mentioned above, buying a new model right when it’s released is one of the worst times to buy. However, this time frame can still work to your advantage if you set your sights on last year’s model.
When a manufacturer releases a new model, the old model will lower in price almost instantaneously. Retailers want to be sure to clear out of their old stock to make room for the shiny new models that will arrive shortly after the announcements from manufacturers.
Keep in mind that you may need to do a little extra research on sites like Amazon, eBay, consumer reports and so on if you’re going to approach your purchase from this direction. For the most part, new models don’t introduce a ton of new features that are must-haves, especially when compared to the last generation. Many of these are minor improvements that come with major price tags.
Unless there’s some feature on the new model that you absolutely need to have, it’s likely you’ll do just fine with the old version.
The End of the Month
The end of the month is another great time to purchase major appliances, but for reasons you may not realize. It isn’t that there are any extra sales or a country-wide mandate to lower prices at the end of the month.
Did you know that most appliances salespeople work on commission? This means they have sales quotas they need to meet every month. You can use this knowledge to your advantage. At the end of the month, many salespeople are eager to meet their sales goals and are willing to bargain more than usual to move product out the door.
Related: Also read our guide on how to get the best window curtains.
If you take this approach, be prepared to bargain. You’ll need to negotiate in order to get the best deal. This can be difficult for some people, but if you do it well, you can get a killer deal on a new appliance.
To prepare for your negotiations and bargaining, study up on standard pricing for the model you’re looking to buy, and don’t forget to compare the prices other stores are offering. You may also want to see if you can purchase a display model or something from the scratch-and-dent section to knock off a few more dollars.
The Best Months to Buy an Appliance
The best months to buy appliances is closely related to a point we’ve already covered above: when a new model releases.
Most appliance manufacturers follow a strict schedule when it comes to new product releases. You can pretty much predict when a new model is going to be released, therefore knowing when the best months to buy actually are.
Most manufacturers unveil and release new products in September and October. The only exception is for refrigerators, which are released on a summer schedule, meaning May is the time to buy a new fridge.
Like car dealerships, January is also a good time to buy new appliances. Stores are looking to clear their floors of all the “old” product to make room for the new year’s offerings. This is also the time they sell through any leftover inventory from Black Friday and Christmas sales.
Final Thoughts
You can shop the sales and you can bargain for better prices at the end of the month, but if you buy a model that you don’t love, you may end up with a healthy dose of buyer’s remorse.
While it’s important to know when the best time of year to buy appliances is, it’s also of utmost importance that you do your research before you buy.
Take the time to research different models and manufacturers. Measure the pros and cons of your top picks and get familiar with their standard pricing. That way when sales come around, you know just how good of a deal you’re getting.
If you go about your purchase in the right way, you’ll maximize your savings and go home with a brand new appliance that you love.
