When it comes to landing bargains on major appliances, timing is everything. And the best time to buy home appliances is when stores need you more than you need a new home appliance.
To see when the best times are for in-store and online appliance purchases, along with some ways to help you negotiate the best prices for appliances, check out our tips below.
Best Months and Holidays to Buy Appliances
January, September, and October, when manufacturers roll out new home appliance models and retailers are eager to move last year’s inventory. (Refrigerators are the exception. New models come out in the spring.) If you’re ordering new appliances online, inventory won’t affect the timing of sales, because online retailers don’t pay commissions and space rental. So, online savings may be offered throughout the year.
Major holidays — Labor Day, Memorial Day, President’s Day, Black Thursday, when stores take advantage of your day off and slash prices.
Fall is the best season to buy air conditioners because units and contractors are less expensive.
Before and after grilling season, which runs from March through July, is the best time to buy grills, although the selection is usually better during the season. Summer holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and immediately after July 4, are also prime buying times.
Best Times to Buy Appliances Online
You can’t haggle with a website, so buying appliances online is more computer science than art of the deal. That’s where online data trackers, like Hukkster and TrackIf, can help you find the best time to get the best deals.
After crunching some numbers for us, TrackIf CEO Doug Berg pinpointed the very best times to buy appliances online:
- November
- Thursdays (Retailers are twice as likely to reduce prices on Thursdays.)
- The fourth or fifth of the month, (when people get their paychecks), and the 23rd to 29th of the month (quota desperation).
- 3 p.m.
So, theoretically, the very best time to buy appliances online would be the last Thursday of November at 3 p.m. In other words, Thanksgiving. (Baste your bird and buy a new oven.)
How to Dig Deeper for Store and Online Deals on Appliances
In store, don’t be afraid to haggle over prices. The squeaky wheel often gets an additional discount, and it costs you nothing to ask, “Is this the best price you can give me?”
When shopping online, compare prices using different browsers. An appliance deal viewed on Firefox could be priced differently when viewed on Safari.
Many stores offer additional discounts if you apply for their credit card (but only apply if your credit score can handle another card).
Sometimes appliance repair businesses stock slightly used or flawed — but deeply discounted — appliances. Check with your service person before buying retail. (I bought a double oven this way and saved $700!)
If you can’t shop on sales days, you may discover the next time the store will lower prices by peeking into the metal price stand next to the appliance. It may be stuffed with cards stating the price and date of upcoming sales.
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