• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

19 Tips for Saving a Bundle of Money on Home Appliances

By Len Penzo

appliances2We’re in the middle of a kitchen and bathroom remodel that includes replacing our 14-year-old refrigerator. After replacing a couple of parts over the years, I figured it was finally time to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

Although I was hoping to get 20 years out of that old appliance, the ice maker died a couple months ago, and the door stops were broken long ago by my kids (who seem to think our refrigerator doors actually came off of a 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham). Am I really the only dad out there with kids who love to fling refrigerator doors open with reckless abandon? I digress.

Anyway, after doing our research the Honeybee and I finally bought a new refrigerator a few weeks ago, and we ended up getting a terrific deal because we took our time and did our homework.

Too bad we haven’t been as good at controlling our remodeling costs.

Here are 19 ways to help ensure you get the best deal too when buying your home appliances.

1. Become Star-struck. Buy Energy Star labeled appliances, which are certified as meeting government requirements for energy efficiency. Products with the Energy Star label not only result in lower utility bills, but also often entitle the buyer to utility company rebates.

2. Sign up for store email updates. Many stores will often provide exclusive information via email of special promotions like midnight sales or other limited online-only deals.

3. Take advantage of price match guarantees. Don’t be fooled by store tags that proclaim it’s the “Lowest Price – Guaranteed!” Most large retailers have price match guarantees that will also give you an additional 10 percent off the difference or – better yet – the price itself, so spend a few hours and shop around! We recently took advantage of a price match guarantee on our refrigerator and got the match plus another $15 off.

4. Think outside the box. Big box retailer, that is. You can often find great deals on appliances at Habitat for Humanity resale outlets and Craigslist.

5. Use a military discount. When my water heater needed replacement last year I discovered that Lowes offers a ten percent discount to members of the military. Always ask if the store you are shopping at offers one.

6. Get moving. If you’re in the process of moving, be sure to check out homedepotmoving.com or lowesmoving.com. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s sometimes offer ten percent “movers” discount coupons that can be used on appliances.

7. Embrace imperfections. Most retailers offer surprisingly steep discounts for appliances with minor scratches and dents.

8. Think package deals. Offering to purchase multiple appliances from the same location usually gives you plenty of leverage to negotiate additional discounts.

9. Buy a floor model. It is no secret that floor models are sold at a discount compared to the pristine versions sitting in the backroom. What isn’t as widely known is that you can often extract another ten percent or more off the price the manager initially quotes you.

10. Be flexible with your delivery schedule. If you can wait until the delivery truck can go out fully loaded – as opposed to nearly empty – you may be able to get those delivery charges waived. If they won’t waive the charges, see if they’ll give you a discount or offer a rebate.

11. Go postal. The post office will sometimes include discount coupons in their change of address packets.

12. Wax nostalgic (for last year’s model). Big discounts are available for people who are willing to take the previous year’s models off a retailer’s hands. And let’s face it, how many of us would notice the difference anyway? The best time to employ this strategy is during September and October, when the new appliance models generally come out.

13. Haggle. Don’t be afraid to haggle! After all, the worst that any salesman can say is no. I even haggled at Lowe’s when buying my last barbecue – although it was with a floor manager, not the sales associate. To be sure you get the lowest prices, when comparison shopping, hit those establishments that pay commissions to their sales staff last.

14. Keep it white. We bought a basic white refrigerator. Why? Because the exact same model with a stainless steel finish was $200 more. If you have multiple appliances, the price premium for non-white finishes can really add up.

15. Remember, (same as) cash is king. As long as you pay off the loan in full before the end of the promotional period, zero percent financing allows you to keep your money in the bank and earn a little interest – which ends up being a de facto discount on your purchase.

16. Use a cash dividend rewards credit card. Speaking of de facto discounts, you can also take advantage of a cash-dividend rewards credit card to get a percent or two off the purchase price – as long as you pay off your credit cards in full at the end of the month, of course.

17. Leverage gift card discounts. By using gift cards to pay for your appliances you can usually take advantage of special deals offered at locations like supermarkets and other stores. For example, you can often buy $100 gift cards to stores like Best Buy for $90.

18. Avoid the extended warranty. Generally, if something is going to go wrong with your new appliances, it’s going to happen under the original manufacturer’s warranty period – not during the extended warranty period. But if you are still unsure, try applying this extended warranty litmus test.

19. Turn that old appliance in to your utility company. You can help defray the cost of your new refrigerator by taking advantage of utility company rebates for old refrigerators in good working order.

So that’s it; the more of these tips you use, the bigger your appliance savings will be. In fact, you can get a significant multiplier effect if you use enough of these tips.

Now, if I can only figure out a way to keep my kids from treating my new refrigerator like it was an old Cadillac.

Photo Credit:highlandhomesfl

40 Comments July 16, 2014

Comments

  1. 1

    Little House says

    Excellent tips. I might be buying a fridge soon and these savings ideas will come in handy! I’d also add take advantage of stores offering 0% APR for so many months on purchase of X amount of dollars. As long as the appliance gets paid off BEFORE interest accrues, it works out to the benefit of the purchaser.

    Reply
  2. 2

    Greg McFarlane says

    This is why Len’s is my favorite personal finance site whose initials aren’t “CYC”: practical advice you can act on.

    Reply
  3. 3

    Norman says

    I purchased a new fridge a couple of years ago and one thing I noticed is that the Energy-Star rating measures the amount of energy it takes to refrigerate per cubic measure. I compared a smaller fridge with one that was energy-star and I found that the smaller one used a lot less electricity per year. Since I’m single, I didn’t need a big fridge. So even though I didn’t buy the Energy-Star rated fridge, I got one that costs me a lot less per year to run.

    Reply
  4. 4

    Len Penzo says

    @LittleHouse: Absolutely, Jennifer! We love our new refirgerator – especially the extra cubic foot of space we now have in the freezer. That space was originally taken up by the ice maker, which is now in the door of our new refrigerator. Fourteen years is an eternity in electronics and appliances and the technology really improved over that time.
    @Greg: Thank you, Greg! And you know I love Control Your Cash too!
    @Norman: I’m curious… Why did you choose not to buy a smaller fridge with the Energy Star label? Were there none available?

    Reply
    • 5

      Norman says

      Len, correct, there weren’t any smaller refrigerators that had the energy star label. At least not in my hometown.

      Reply
  5. 6

    Everyday Tips says

    Great tips! We ended up remodeling the kitchen a couple years ago after buying our new fridge. 🙂

    I bought a refrigerator with an ice maker this time, which was the best thing with all the sports my kids are in.

    One more suggestion would be to measure the space available for that appliance. I almost bought a fridge that never would have fit based on the niche that was built in the refrigerator.

    Reply
  6. 7

    Calculate Credit Card Interest says

    Len! What great timing. We recently finished renovating one of our rental units and need to find appliances. Initially, I thought we had to buy new because, well, my family has had bad experiences with used cars (back in the 1980s) and still hesitant to buy anything used, but if we can get any kind of discount, it’s worth it.

    Reply
  7. 8

    Andrew @ Money Crashers says

    Definitely agree on avoiding the extreme warranty. Just go for a solid brand that doesn’t have a history of breaking down. I also think, like with most things, to get with the previous year’s model. Same deal with cars for example. Probably not as smart of an idea with things whose technology changes really easily like computers, but appliances definitely pass the test.

    Reply
  8. 9

    Money Reasons says

    Wow, some of these I’ve never heard of before!!!

    Thanks for the great list!!! I just had a friend recently take advantage of the postal coupons. He’s moving and in their change-of-address kit, they have Lowes and Home Depot coupons!

    Reply
    • 10

      Len Penzo says

      They are pretty awesome. Ten percent is definitely nothing to sneeze at when you may be spending a thousand bucks or more.

      Reply
  9. 11

    Forex Analyst says

    I really like the tip to get a scratched or floor model. Especially with appliances, it’s not like they used it much at the store so it’s basically brand new.

    Reply
  10. 12

    phone number lookup google says

    I as well believe thus, perfectly composed post! .

    Reply
  11. 13

    Retired by 40 says

    Is that your stove in the pic? (creepy, I know) If it is, I’m having stove envy…..Anyways, we bought just a basic white stove for our house, that was being clearanced out because it had a ding in it, and then used a 10% military discount with it. Kind of the same thing without dishwasher (retails for $800 normally) that was on clearance for $450 because the pump had gone out (it had been replaced when we bought it) and when it was returned to the store, the bottom (kickplate?) was missing. Still, after the 10% military discount and $50 that I just asked to be knocked off, we only paid $377 for an $800 dishwasher. Great tips!

    Reply
    • 14

      Len Penzo says

      LOL! Nope. That’s a stock photo!

      Reply
  12. 15

    Alicia @ Monster Piggy Bank says

    Out of all the necessities at home, our appliances are some of the most expensive items to purchase. Saving money when you buy home appliances is always a goal for all home owners like me who want to get the best deal, but also want quality in our appliance investments.

    Reply
  13. 16

    hannah says

    buying giftcards for large purchases is one of the best tips on your list. I try to do this all the time.
    Cardcash.com is where I buy mine. I buy petco cards for an automatic 18-22% discount on cat food, restaurant cards for 10-15% off an evening out, and auto zone for 22% off windshield wipers and random needed parts.
    There are a lot of other cards too – like JCP with an almost always 18% discount. It sure adds up the savings!

    Reply
    • 17

      WB says

      Cardcash.com is great. Like you, we use them all of the time. Great discounts on stores that we use. Lowes gift cards can be purchased at a 10% discount. They also send out a weekly email that adds an extra n% to selected cards. We are big fans.

      Reply
  14. 18

    Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    Wow, amazing what a difference stainless steel makes in price. Never knew you could buy a fridge at habitat for humanity, though I have gotten some great furniture from Craigslist!

    Reply
  15. 19

    Chris says

    We use the internet to check out prices. We, also buy items off reliable sites such as Amazon. Checking prices and using coupons takes extra time.

    Chris
    Owner CEL Financial Services

    Please visit my directory listing for all your Income Tax Fillmore needs.

    Reply
  16. 20

    Marie @ My Personal Finance Journey says

    I’m planning to buy my mom a new refrigerator because our old refrigerator was kinda old. And I heard on the TV commercial that if we would bring our old appliances then we would have a rebate for the new appliances.

    Reply
  17. 21

    Jon @ Money Smart Guides says

    When my wife (girlfriend at the time) needed a TV and DVD player, I made it a point to scan the ads for the next month looking for a lower price. I ended up finding one and we went back to the store, showed them the price, and get credited the difference.

    Fast forward to a few weeks ago and we needed a TV for the bedroom. We bought a floor model, that was scratched (on the back of the TV no less – it took me 10 minutes just to find it) and was last years model. We ended up saving over 50% on the TV.

    Reply
  18. 22

    David Moore says

    Great tips!

    Reply
  19. 23

    Bridge Stone says

    When shopping for used or new appliance, look around and compare prices at several places like appliances stores and furniture warehouses as well as the bulletin boards where live or work.These tips that you have shared are truly helpful to save money when purchasing appliances.

    Reply
  20. 24

    Bestonlinedeals says

    Wow! Awesome piece of information. I always prefer to collect information, check different discounts offered by retailers and online shopping stores before buying different home appliances to save money. Your stuff is really super awesome and very helpful too.

    Reply
  21. 25

    Stuart says

    These are awesome tips.

    Reply
  22. 26

    Erinzen says

    Hi,thanks for the tips! Ive been having a lot of trouble with my old refrigerator. I love that its an older fridge, because it has that vintage look that I like, but it uses a lot of electricity. It would be nice to have a new fridge thats more energy efficient

    Reply
  23. 27

    Vicky Durrant says

    My husband and I are going to be renovating our kitchen over the summer, and one of the things that we have planned to do is update all of our appliances. Neither of us have ever purchased appliances before, though, so I’m happy that I found your tips! I especially liked what you mentioned about purchasing Energy Star labeled appliances. Not only are the efficient, but we could get a rebate for them, too! I’ve got to tell my husband about this! Thank you for the advice!

    Reply
    • 28

      Len Penzo says

      My pleasure, Vicky.

      Reply
  24. 29

    Ridley says

    Thanks for the tips on buying appliances. We are remodeling our whole kitchen, so I need some help. I hadn’t thought about signing up for store email updates, but that would be great for finding deals!

    Reply
  25. 30

    Kenneth Gladman says

    I like that you mentioned using your military discount. I always remember to ask wherever I am shopping if they offer it. Even if they don’t they sometimes will offer some sort of discount for your services. It is worth asking.

    Reply
  26. 31

    Nick Manan says

    Good article. You cannot beat getting the best quality appliances you can afford!

    Reply
  27. 32

    Max says

    We’re in the market for a few new appliances, and I really like the idea you listed here. I’ll have to make sure we shop around and see what we can get!

    Reply
  28. 33

    Garner says

    Thanks for the tips. This is a very informative and great list. Recently, I have been thinking to buy a refrigerator. So when I buy one, I will thoroughly follow your instruction and let you know!

    Reply
  29. 34

    Drake says

    A big yes on taking advantage of price match offers. You can save a lot of cash with them if you know where to look.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. MR Cache 2010, Oct 9 Winning Across The Board! - Money Reasons says:
    March 3, 2019 at 6:25 am

    […] Len Penzo dot Com: (19 Tips for Saving a Bundle of Money on Home Appliances) – Len introduces some great tips for buying home appliances! I have to admit, he includes a few […]

    Reply
  2. Black Coffee: Promises, Promises, Promises – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    September 20, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    […] 19 Tips for Saving a Bundle of Money on Home Appliances […]

    Reply
  3. 9 Smart Reasons to Get Aggressive With Your Debt Busting – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    September 29, 2019 at 10:21 am

    […] debt you’re paying interest on, you reduce the amount of interest you pay over time, in turn saving you money. The amount you save can add up significantly even over a short period of time, and every dollar […]

    Reply
  4. Why Marriage Makes It So Hard to Control Remodeling Costs. (Well, Kinda Sorta.) – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    May 17, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    […] Originally, it was supposed to be a fairly modest kitchen renovation that involved replacing our porcelain tile counter tops with granite and adding a new tumbled stone back splash. It also included some new appliances. […]

    Reply
  5. Are Gas Clothes Dryers Worth the Extra Money? – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    December 20, 2020 at 7:43 am

    […] looking to save money on appliances quickly learn that gas dryers typically cost between $50 to $100 more than their electric […]

    Reply
  6. 100 Words On: The Big Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    December 20, 2020 at 8:24 am

    […] Most cooking aficionados prefer natural gas cooktops over electric ones because they heat evenly, and provide precision control with instant on/off capability. Typically, all natural gas appliances — not just cooktops — last longer and require less maintenance than their electric counterparts. Natural gas is easier on the pocketbook too; according to the DOE, it was 68% cheaper than electricity in 2011. So it’s probably fortunate that 54% of all American homes accommodate natural gas appliances. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Polls

Have you filed your taxes yet?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • The 7 Most Popular Ways to Commit Financial Suicide
  • Black Coffee: Stuck in a Tangled Financial Web
  • A Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: How to Make Ends Meet
  • Grandfather Says: Happiness and Living in the Right Mold
  • How to Get a Good Job Without a College Degree
  • Clever Ways to Save Money On Your Next Car
  • 18 Fun Facts About Money That You Probably Didn’t Know
  • Black Coffee: More Pie In the Sky
  • How to Get Fast Approval on Installment Loans
  • Should You Consider A Pre-Settlement Loan In a Personal Injury Case?

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 30,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. 25 Examples of Shrinkflation That No Longer Fool Consumers
  2. 2. The 10 Worst Things I Ever Bought
  3. 3. 7 Perplexing Money Questions Without a Good Answer
  4. 4. My Cola Taste Test: Is Coke Really Better Than Pepsi?
  5. 5. The Real Secret to Becoming Rich as a King
  6. 6. Planning a Wedding? Here Are 9 Ways to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much
  7. 7. Economic Collapse 101: How to Prepare for Water Supply Disruptions
  8. 8. A Simple Test to Know If It’s Better to Rent or Buy a Home
  9. 9. The Big Secret the Banking Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2021 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2021