How to save money on big-ticket appliances

Shopping for a new fridge? Stove? Washing machine? One thing’s for certain: you’ll want a great appliance at a great price. Here are a few tips to ensure you get solid value for your hard-earned dollars.

Buying a new appliance for your home is either a frustrating event (because it's broken) or a really great event (because you can finally afford to upgrade). Either way, you will want to find the best price for a new appliance that works for you. Here's how to do it.

If you have the luxury of time, consider hitting the Internet and signing up for email bargain alerts from the major retailers. They want your email address for promotional purposes, but you want their online-only discount, so everyone wins.

• Often you can claim an online rebate that you wouldn’t ordinary get in-store.

The government wants you to save money! In fact, they will give rebates for buying ENERGY STAR qualified products in Canada.

• It’s different for each province, so check out the ENERGY STAR website for details.
• This website will also help you find retailers that sell ENERGY STAR appliances and products. The bonus? Buying an energy-efficient appliance will save you money on your monthly electricity bill.

Most of the time, we assume that the price on the sticker is the firm price. But there is always wiggle room on major appliance purchases.

• Ask if there is a discount for paying cash, or if a deal can be made for buying more than one appliance.
• Be armed with the competitor’s price and see if the store can match or beat it.
• Try asking for a discount on last year’s model after the new models have been revealed.
• See if you can get a deal on the floor model or discontinued models.

Smaller, independent stores have less overhead and if you talk to the owner, you may be able to get the price reduced. Plus, smaller stores often have better service options than the big box stores.