No one is surprised to find out that appliances can get expensive, especially if you are looking for features that don’t exist on a base model. Like any investment, purchasing appliances should be a contemplated process involving research, trade-offs, and value comparisons. Those who spend the time to find the best deal and continue to maintain their purchases throughout their lifetime will reap the rewards by increasing the value of their investment.
- Price
The purchase price is a major determinant for those buying new appliances. Depending on the specific appliance and all the features, you could be spending anything from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. In most cases, the extra cost reflects that of the quality of the appliance, though it is not always the case, as brand name and current trends can skew the prices. Your best bet is to define exactly what you are looking for in the appliance, whether that be a warming drawer in your oven range or a specific cycle on your washer. Then come up with a realistic budget and shop within it. To get the best bang for your buck, wait for a good sale to come up at a local store. That way you can afford something that at its normal price is out of your price range.
- Energy
Very few appliances these days are run mechanically or by man-power, instead are fueled by either natural gas or electricity. Depending on the prices of these utilities where you live, you might find one energy source more advantageous than the other, and therefore tailor your search to reflect that. Even if the household appliance only has one energy option, for example, a fridge that runs on electricity, look for energy-saving options that would decrease the cost to operate your new purchase over the time that you own it. Thanks to the new trend towards environmentalism and energy efficiency, many companies choose to report on the average energy use and cost of their product on an annual basis. This makes it easier to compare options and decide on which fits your monthly utility budget.
- Reputation
We don’t want to say that name is everything, however, there are specific brand names on the market that have a solid reputation for a reason. From the quality of their products, to the level of servicing and customer support, some brands have a better or longer-standing reputation than others. Though it’s definitely not a “must have” when it comes to purchasing your appliances, many believe that it’s worth investing in appliances manufactured by reputable companies. Do your research before you go shopping, as the salespeople on site might have their own personal or professional reasons for recommending a certain brand or model over others. Trust yourself or an independent sales rep who has no affiliations with any particular brand.
- Ease of Repair or Part Replacement
If you are a budget-conscious shopper, apart from the purchase price, you should also be factoring the costs of the appliances’ lifetime, including what it would cost to repair and maintain over this timespan. When you go with a more popular company, you might find that there is a greater availability of parts and more services willing to repair the appliances. For example, you should have no problem finding a Kenmore washer repair expert who will fix your laundry issue than if you went with a super specialized or unknown brand.
There is more to buying quality appliances than just going out and buying the cheapest or most expensive one you can find. Depending on the price, energy type, brand reputation, and maintenance costs, you may find that everything considered, it’s a completely different option that best suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
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