How to be a Savvy
Bargain Hunter
When Buying a Major Appliance
by Kimberly A. Griffiths
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When shopping for major appliances consider researching your options before
walking into your local appliance store. Whether you're in the
market for a computer, refrigerator, washer/dryer, or a vacuum, the process for
comparison shopping is the same. Save yourself at least 10% - 80% on
appliances by planning your purchase – this could equate up to $1000 or
more a year in savings.-
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To save money on any appliance you are going to purchase, answer the following
questions:-
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- What features do you want?-
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- When do you really need to have the
appliance?-
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- Will you consider buying a second-hand unit?-
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- What price range are you willing to pay? -
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My objective is to walk you through my recent purchase for a refrigerator so
that you can use the cost-saving tactics when you purchase your next major
appliance.-
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What features do you want? There are so many different varieties of
refrigerators that it can be difficult to choose what you want. From least
to most expensive there are top-freezers, bottom-freezers, side-by-sides, as
well as cabinet-depth and built-in models. It was helpful to search online
to read the customer reviews of appliances at
www.eopinions.com and the consumer reports review,
www.consumerreports.org. You can find the latest consumer reports at
your local library for free. -
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Interesting Fact:-
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According to a Consumer Reports article, Frigidaire, General Electric, Kenmore,
and Whirlpool account for 75% of top-freezer sales! -
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Even though the top-freezer models are much more space efficient and generally
less expensive and the bottom-freezer refrigerators are all the rage, I decided
I wanted a stainless steel side-by-side model with a filtered water and ice
dispenser. As long as the unit was a major brand with at least a 1 year
manufacturer warranty, it didn't really matter to me who made it. I don't
particularly need the spill-proof, slide-out glass shelves and temperature
controlled compartments, but if a mid-priced refrigerator came with it, I would
welcome it.-
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To become familiar with what the features are of appliances, you can do begin
your research at some of the national appliance stores:-
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www.BestBuy.com-
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www.Sears.com-
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www.HomeDepot.com-
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www.Lowes.com-
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When do you really need to have the appliance? Depending on your financial
situation, you may wish to hold out another year with your existing appliance if
you can. Visit the Repair Clinic,
www.repairclinic.com, which offers help in identifying how to repair your
existing appliance. -
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If you are replacing an older model refrigerator, you may save money in electric
bills with a new more efficient model. The best time to replace an old
appliance is when it is still working! Hopefully you will have time to
research this major purchase so that you can be sure you get the best price.
Fortunately, I knew I had a couple weeks to plan for the refrigerator purchase
and its delivery.-
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Will you consider buying a second-hand unit? As frugal as I am, there are some
appliances that I just want to buy new – a refrigerator is one of them. If
a friend, neighbor, or colleague was moving and luck would work in my favor that
they were selling newer model, I would have seriously considered buying it.
However, I wasn't interested in looking for a second-hand unit from someone I
didn't know. -
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If you really are tight on money and need the appliance now, some of the
national rental centers in your town may sell used appliances. -
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What price range are you willing to pay? Here are the price ranges of what you
can expect to pay for the different types of models:-
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Top-Freezer:
$350 to $2,000-
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Bottom-Freezer: $650 to $2,000-
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Side-by-Side:
$800 - $2600-
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Cabinet Depth: $1,500 - $3,000-
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Built-In:
$4,000 - $6,000-
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Don't forget to measure the space that you have for a refrigerator in your
kitchen before buying the new appliance. This may help you eliminate a lot
of your choices depending on the size space you have. -
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For the features I wanted, I knew that my hope of paying $700 was going to be
unlikely. I was astounded to find out that "mainstream" refrigerators can
cost upwards of $3000 with the average retail cost settling around the $1400
mark. I decided I was willing to pay up to $1000, but anymore would not be
within my budget. I just don't need all the bells and whistles that come
with these high-end units. I figure the more gadgets it has, the more
likely something will break down. I want it to be functional and a good
investment.-
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Buying last year's car model can be a tremendous bargaining tactic, and buying
last year's appliances can save you a bundle too. Shops are looking to move
merchandise, especially when the new models are coming into the marketplace.
Research the competition in your neighborhood versus buying the appliance
online. Sears Outlets are cashing in on selling appliances that have been
discontinued, refurbished, or damaged, but unfortunately, my city doesn't have
such an outlet. Although the choices are more limited at these types of
outlets, the appliances are discounted between 15%-50% off the retail price. -
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Be a savvy bargain-hunter and inquire at your local appliance store if they have
a scratch and dent section of their store. If you don't mind a little
cosmetic blemish on your appliance, you could save some money. The scratch
and dent section I uncovered had appliances reduced at 10% off the retail price.
I wasn't impressed with the price reduction so I began looking at their sale
items. Although getting the appliance on sale is good, I wanted to find a
new refrigerator at a much deeper discount. I scoured the appliance stores
for one-of-a-kind 2005 floor models that they were trying to unload since the
2006 versions were filling the showrooms. As luck would have it, I
found one; exactly what I was looking for, a stainless steel side-by-side unit
with a filtered water and ice dispenser. The retail price was $1200, and I was
able to negotiate it with a locally-owned appliance store for $881.95 with free
delivery -- there are definite advantages to working with a locally- owned
appliance store!-
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I was assured by the sales associate that if I found the same unit advertised by
one of their competitors within the next 30 days, they would refund me 110% of
the difference. He was convinced that I wouldn't be able to find one but I
will continue to look! After you make the purchase, be cognizant that the
appliance store you bought it from doesn't put the item on sale. If they
do, make sure that the store will reimburse you the difference. -
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Buying extended warranties is always a challenge for me. Of course I don't
want to have any problems in five years, but I also think that paying the
appliance store $99 for this insurance is a waste of my money. This topic
is very controversial. Do what you feel most comfortable with but be sure
to submit the manufacturer's warranty information right away since this doesn't
cost you any additional money. -
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Remember to apply these cost saving strategies to any appliance purchase you
make. By searching for the best price on these items, you can spend your
money on getting out of debt or begin saving for a rainy day.-
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One Paycheck at a Time Inc. is the leading source for sensible debt reduction
solutions. Its products include the One Paycheck at a Time paperback (ISBN:
1591133327), as well as an ebook format, and the eTools program. The author of
the book and president of the company, Kimberly A. Griffiths, has been through
the vicious cycle of debt herself and has made it her personal goal to share her
experience to help others. More information can be found about the company and
its products at
www.1PaycheckataTime.com. The above article is intended for educational
purposes only and it should not be interpreted as financial advice. For advice
that is specific to your circumstances, you please consult your tax and
financial adviser. -