When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances? (2024 Guide)

Purchasing a new appliance is a big step for many people. Most units are extremely expensive and often break down without warning. So, if one of your appliances is getting old and needs to be replaced or if you need a new appliance entirely, it can be helpful to look for sales to help save money. If you think that you will be in the market for a new appliance soon, keep reading, as we look at the best and worst times to buy, along with other tips to help you make an informed purchase.

The 5 Best Times to Buy Appliances

1. Holidays

One of the best times to purchase a new appliance is during the holidays, as many retailers have big sales at these times. Black Friday is traditionally the biggest sale day of the year, but Cyber Mondays also generally have great sales. You can also find great deals on other holidays, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and even New Year’s. Memorial Day is particularly good because it marks the beginning of summer when people are finally getting out of their homes, and many retailers mark down their prices by as much as 40%. Labor Day is also ideal because it marks the end of summer, when retailers try to rotate their inventory and often reduce prices to make it easier.

2. Before a New Model Comes Out

Many manufacturers like to hold sales right before a new model comes out. So, if you are not interested in purchasing a new model, you can usually buy an older one at a significant discount, especially if a store is tight on space and needs to make room for the new one.

3. At the End of the Month

Many stores have a monthly quota that they need to reach in sales, and they will often reduce prices near the end of the month to help increase sales and achieve their goals, especially when sales are not as good as they would like.

4. Specific Months

Many stores have huge sales from September through December because all the holidays during this time can lead to a large inventory, and many stores will reduce prices to help rotate their stock.

5. Back-to-School Sales

Even though school supplies are more for clothes and notebooks, stores know that people will be out shopping and often reduce prices on other items, including appliances, making back-to-school sales a great time to buy.

The 3 Worst Time to Buy Appliances

1. When the Model First Comes Out

The worst time to buy a new appliance is when the model first comes out, and this is for two reasons. First, appliances are the most expensive for the first year after they hit the shelves. Second, many machines can have bugs or manufacturing errors. Waiting a year or more will help you determine if there are any problems common to that machine.

2. Early in the Year

Another bad time to purchase a new appliance is at the beginning of the year. During the first few months of each year, companies want to make bigger profits before sales start back up later in the year, so it can be an expensive time to make a purchase.

3. When You Need It

Unfortunately, we don’t have any control over when our appliances break down. However, waiting until it does means you will have no time to wait for a sale price. In many cases, you may not even be able to do that much shopping around. You may end up paying a much higher price with few options than you ordinarily would need.

Getting a Good Deal on Your Appliance

Sale Prices

The best way to get a good deal on your appliance is to wait for a sale. Black Friday often has the best deals, but you can find great sale prices at almost any time if you keep watching.

Purchase During the Off Season

Purchasing your appliance during the offseason can be a great way to reduce costs. For instance, purchasing your air conditioner in the winter will likely lead to a lower price for the same unit than you would pay in the summer.

Compare Prices

Shopping around at different outlets can help you find the best prices. Furthermore, many stores will adjust their prices to meet or beat their competitors.

Have Cash on Hand

If you can find an appliance for sale at a local mom-and-pop shop or a second-hand unit from an acquaintance, having cash on hand can often drive the sale. In many cases, the seller will agree to a lower price to avoid waiting for monthly installments or checks to clear.

Purchase Floor Models

Purchasing the floor model or one with damaged packaging can be a great way to receive your appliance at a significant discount, without receiving a defective or inferior product.

Summary

The best time to purchase your appliance is likely during Black Friday sales. You can also get significant discounts on Cyber Monday and during many other holidays. Back-to-school sales also frequently affect appliance prices. If your unit breaks suddenly, try to purchase the floor model for a discount, and always choose a model that’s at least 1 year old so you can learn about any defects.

Featured Image Credit By: Emmanuel Ikwuegbu, Unsplash