With Christmas over and the New Year rapidly approaching,
customers will soon begin to spec out new home appliances for their
spring home improvement projects. There are some incredible kitchen
appliance package deals being put forth by appliance stores and
manufacturers right now, with the hopes of getting consumers to spend
money a bit earlier than normal, so you may want to start your shopping
and purchasing a bit earlier. Also keep in mind that there should be an
appliance cash for clunkers program available in February, so that
should bring even further savings home to consumers.
The most important thing that a consumer needs to realize as they begin to spec appliances is that never before have they wielded such power when it comes to purchasing. There are incredible rebate programs available, manufacturers have held off on the normal end of the year price increases. and retailers are more than likely going to offer steeper discounts in order to drive sales to hit quotas and continue to navigate the rough economic waters the sector has been embroiled in for the past 2 years.
Tip # 1 - Buy Your Kitchen Appliance Package Earlier
The Holidays and January are typically not hot periods for appliance sales. Most consumers are thinking about TVs, other electronics, clothes etc. It isn't until late Jan-Feb until consumers really start to spec out appliances for their Spring home improvement jobs. However, Dec 2009 and Jan-Feb 2010 are different. As I mentioned in the prior paragraph, there are incredible rebate deals on the table right now, from GE giving $500 back for the purchase of a 4-piece kitchen appliance package, Whirlpool giving away hundreds of dollars for buying an appliance package as well as a host of other deals on kitchen appliance packages. The home appliance industry has seen its two worst years in decades, so manufacturers and appliance store retailers are prepared to deal in order to close sales in this typically slow time period.
Tip #2 - Focus on Energy Efficiency
When looking at dishwashers, refrigerators and laundry washers, you are being incentivized to buy Energy Star rated appliances. Not only will you save money by running them as opposed to an energy hog unit, the rebates are also more significant on Energy Star appliance models. Manufacturers are being incentivized by the government to sell "green" and "environmentally-friendly" units, so take advantage of manufacturer and retailers push to sell these energy-efficient appliances. Plus, you may want to check with your accountant to see if there are any tax breaks for using Energy Star-rated appliances in your home.
Tip #3 - Focus on Features That You Need
In many ways the home appliance industry is becoming more and more reminiscent of the car business - more emphasis is being placed on features, "sexiness" and the WOW factor. RPM speeds are touted in washers, burner BTU output is emphasized on cooking ranges, computer menus are the rage on wall ovens, and immense capacity is the flavor for dryers. All of these features can make your head spin as most manufacturers use different ratings and different names to measure and qualify these attributes, and if you are looking for a kitchen appliance package keeping track of everything will make your head start to spin. Do your research on line, stop into a few stores and touch and feel the product, and then sit back and ask yourself "What do I really need"?
Not becoming enamored by all of the latest bells and whistles and sticking to the fundamentals will end up saving you a lot of money, guaranteed.
The most important thing that a consumer needs to realize as they begin to spec appliances is that never before have they wielded such power when it comes to purchasing. There are incredible rebate programs available, manufacturers have held off on the normal end of the year price increases. and retailers are more than likely going to offer steeper discounts in order to drive sales to hit quotas and continue to navigate the rough economic waters the sector has been embroiled in for the past 2 years.
Tip # 1 - Buy Your Kitchen Appliance Package Earlier
The Holidays and January are typically not hot periods for appliance sales. Most consumers are thinking about TVs, other electronics, clothes etc. It isn't until late Jan-Feb until consumers really start to spec out appliances for their Spring home improvement jobs. However, Dec 2009 and Jan-Feb 2010 are different. As I mentioned in the prior paragraph, there are incredible rebate deals on the table right now, from GE giving $500 back for the purchase of a 4-piece kitchen appliance package, Whirlpool giving away hundreds of dollars for buying an appliance package as well as a host of other deals on kitchen appliance packages. The home appliance industry has seen its two worst years in decades, so manufacturers and appliance store retailers are prepared to deal in order to close sales in this typically slow time period.
Tip #2 - Focus on Energy Efficiency
When looking at dishwashers, refrigerators and laundry washers, you are being incentivized to buy Energy Star rated appliances. Not only will you save money by running them as opposed to an energy hog unit, the rebates are also more significant on Energy Star appliance models. Manufacturers are being incentivized by the government to sell "green" and "environmentally-friendly" units, so take advantage of manufacturer and retailers push to sell these energy-efficient appliances. Plus, you may want to check with your accountant to see if there are any tax breaks for using Energy Star-rated appliances in your home.
Tip #3 - Focus on Features That You Need
In many ways the home appliance industry is becoming more and more reminiscent of the car business - more emphasis is being placed on features, "sexiness" and the WOW factor. RPM speeds are touted in washers, burner BTU output is emphasized on cooking ranges, computer menus are the rage on wall ovens, and immense capacity is the flavor for dryers. All of these features can make your head spin as most manufacturers use different ratings and different names to measure and qualify these attributes, and if you are looking for a kitchen appliance package keeping track of everything will make your head start to spin. Do your research on line, stop into a few stores and touch and feel the product, and then sit back and ask yourself "What do I really need"?
Not becoming enamored by all of the latest bells and whistles and sticking to the fundamentals will end up saving you a lot of money, guaranteed.
