When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?

If you’re looking for a new washer or fridge, certain months tend to have the best deals. Heck, some weeks of the month are better than others. A little research could save you a lot of money.

New appliances are major purchases, and if you’re not in the midst of remodeling your entire kitchen or running out to the store to replace your fridge that just died, a little pre-planning could save you a lot of money.

The first step in deciding when to buy appliances is to determine the lifespan of the ones you already have. The pros at Sears tell us that, on average, washers and dryers usually can last up to 13 to 14 years, while refrigerators and stoves can last up to 17 years. Dishwashers are usually the first to go, at about 10 years.

If yours are edging toward their golden years, it’s time to start thinking about (and budgeting for) replacing them.

The next step is to do a little digging into the best time of the year to buy new appliances. Are some months better than others? The answer is yes, but exactly when depends on who you ask.

Buy Appliances in December

Consumer Reports, which does research into buying habits and trends, says December is the best month of the year to buy all types of appliances, because of end-of-the-year sales.

Buy Appliances in September, October…and May?

The money and investment gurus at Kiplinger say September and October are the best months to buy your appliances. Manufacturers tend to come out with their new models in the fall, and older models need to be cleared out. The result? Discounts, oftentimes in the high double digits.

The one exception is the refrigerator — those new models tend to come out in May. Kiplinger advises people who are buying a whole set of appliances to do so in May, because the fridge is often the most expensive item.

Buy Appliances on Three-day weekends

The time-honored tradition of Memorial Day, President’s Day and Labor Day sales can save you a bundle on your appliances — usually last year’s models — so if you can wait to shop during those holiday weekends, it pays off. A word to the wise, however: Just because a store is advertising a sale doesn’t mean it’s the lowest price possible for any given appliance. Compare prices and do your research before you buy.

Insider tip!

Want to score even more savings? Sign up now for a rewards program, like Shop Your Way, to start earning points. You might be able to use points to purchase your appliances, or at least earn enough extra points for a future purchase. Don’t forget to check out manufacturer rebates, too, for hidden savings.

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Quick Answers: When is the Best Time to Buy New Appliances?

• December is a great month to buy appliances because of end-of-year sales

• September and October are good months to buy most new appliances except refrigerators because new models are being released

• May is a good month to buy new refrigerators

• Three-day weekends are often great times to buy new appliances because of Memorial Day, President’s Day and Labor Day sales

• Shop Your Way points can be used toward the purchase of appliances at Sears