When is the best time to buy a major appliance?
By cotruelove
@cotruelove (1016)
Denver, Colorado
December 21, 2011 6:53pm CST
Here I am, a few days before Christmas, and my dishwasher goes out. Had a repairman stop by from Sears, and he helped me determine that it needs to be replaced. Major appliances are always big ticket items and expensive. Just what I do not need right now, but have to have. Both, I and my husband are disabled so it is a requirement for us to have. Now, I need to decide whether the prices are better before Christmas Day, or after Christmas when it may be an "end of the year clearance sale" item. Have you had to face this decision before? What do you think is the best time to buy a major appliance?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
22 Dec 11
I doubt there's a good time to buy an appliance when replacing it's a necessity..but with sales on at this time and into new Year,hopefully you'll be able to pick up one with a good deal...You wouldn't have insurance that might cover the cost of a replacement?
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Dec 11
Unfortunately, this isn't caused by anything insurance would cover. It has lost its mind.....lol. The cost of the part to repair it is probably 75% of the cost of a new one. It is the electronic control that has gone nuts. Thanks for your response!
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Dec 11
Great suggestion, I'll check it out. We did compare the cost for a new board to be installed and the cost of a new machine and it just wasn't feasible. It is a Maytag product and that is made by Whirlpool, as many brands are. The original model I purchased was replaced after Maytag was bought by Whirlpool due to a manufacturers defect. Unfortunately, this is the second time this model has given us a problem, so I doubt I will purchase another dishwasher that Whirlpool manufacturers no matter what name they use on the product. Thanks for your response.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
4 Jan 12
I know its never a great time to replace a dishwasher; however, I will do this soon. Mine would cost more to fix, then buying a new one. Right now, I am reading online reviews to see what others are telling me is the best choice to buy. Several people have convinced me to avoid several machines, as I want to buy a good machine.
Hope you were able to get a good one.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Jan 12
Thanks for the response. Haven't got one yet, husband is still sick. Hopefully, he will feel better and we can do it shortly.
@himanshuorange (1145)
• India
22 Dec 11
well i feel it is really good to buy major appliances when there are holidays or festival seasons because at that time there is a sale going on and the rates of almost everything are very cheap....so it is always best thing to buy at festival season and also as you said clearance sale is very great time to buy stuff and also good for major appliances.....
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Dec 11
Thanks for your response. Here in America, it seems to be the best time to buy at the end of inventory and during holiday seasons.
@shskumbla (3338)
• India
22 Dec 11
According to me "all clearance sale" is clearing your pocket. To buy a costly thing it is not good at night.The color and some damaged parts of it,cannot be seen even if there is sufficient light.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Dec 11
Unfortunately, most stores don't have daylight to view appliances. But I agree you need to make sure you inspect the product in good lighting. I've had them delivered before and refused to accept them because they were damaged during delivery. You have to be careful and check the product and make sure you are getting what you paid for.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Dec 11
Thanks for your response. Sometimes festivals or holidays are not necessarily a good time to buy major appliances but I'll see what the prices are and watch for a few days. It has been proven that Christmas here in America, is usually good for any type of purchase. Some other holidays are not so good.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
22 Dec 11
Major appliances dealers always tend to target their offers during major events, holidays and festival season. If the existing one is to be replaced almost immediately as you have explained, I don't think you have a very big choice in terms of timing. I believe in your country, the best times when goods go cheaper is year end sales as well as Thanksgiving time. Thanksgiving having passed already, your best choice appears to be the end of year sale. Not a bad thing though considering the offers as I understand can be attractive & beneficial.
Good Luck. 
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Dec 11
Thanks for your response and I think this next week I'll be looking seriously for a replacement. With clearance sales after Christmas, and end of the year, I would think the prices should be reduced quite a lot.
@brew2x (3094)
• Philippines
4 Jan 12
Hi cotruelove! I don't know if you have already purchased a dishwasher as of today. Still I would like to participate on your discussion. As far as I have observe, prices get to be a bit higher before the Christmas season. Perhaps some stores are anticipating that people would buy most things as gifts and some would not be too conscious on their budgets to buy the products or gifts that their loved ones would enjoy or like.
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Either the day after Thanksgiving which of course is Black Friday, or then you have the after Christmas day sales, & then finally New Year's Days sales. I find that those are the best times to get really good prices on anything from TV's to kitchen appliances. The next time after that would be Presidents Day sales. I don't really know why they have such good sales at that time of year but they do.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Dec 11
Like you, I don't understand President's day sales but I guess it is one of those things that doesn't make sense. I hate Black Friday because of my handicap I get knocked down under the circumstances and frankly, I cannot afford the fall. So far, the after Christmas day idea is getting the biggest vote!! Thanks for your comment.
@jobfindonline (1744)
•
22 Dec 11
The best time to buy is before your appliances become unusable. Prices are more cheaper after year ends. It could be Janauary to March since most companies tend to replenish their inventories with new ones.
Another option is during end of the month if you really need to replace your dishwasher. Certain quotas need to be met before the month closed so the company most probably give you a big discount.
Negotiate the price before you buy. There is no harm for doing that since the worst thing that could happen is to never get the discount. At least you tried your best.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Dec 11
Unfortunately, the kind of problem we experienced can not be foretold. It is blip and it is gone. Electronic controls don't give warning, they just go out. All we can do is try the negotiation path, nothing to loose in trying. Like you I think end of the year is good, or even after the 1st of the year. At least it went at a better time of the year than most other time. Just hope we can last until after Christmas!!
