© 2008-
SavingsNut.com™ – The Best Site On The Internet For Money Saving Tips & Frugal Living Ideas
Also Visit
“A Detailed Guide of Money Saving Advice & Budgeting Know-
“The best resource on the Internet to teach both young and old how to reduce everyday household expenses. Simply the best.” TSN
ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES -
Appliances (continued)
3. If you really want to save some money, consider buying scratch and dent appliances. Some stores specialize in appliances with mars, but most appliance stores have some in stock because of damage that occurred during delivery, etc. Sometimes “store return” appliances that are barely used are available for very low prices. These appliances were delivered to a home but were returned for any number of reasons. Whether it is a scratch and dent appliance or a store return, the appliance usually still comes with a full factory warranty.
4. You can really save money by buying used appliances. If the appliance is coming from a known owner, like a relative or friend, you will probably know what kind of condition it is in. Sometimes used appliances are almost like new, and are available just because the owner wanted something else. However, if you find a used appliance at a garage sale or at a used appliance dealer, you may be taking more of a risk. But, you can get major appliances for a fraction of their new cost by buying used.
5. When something does go wrong with your appliance, repair costs can be very expensive. But if you buy a good quality appliance, and you have researched the appliance’s reliability as suggested, appliance breakdowns should be an infrequent occurrence. However, consider the following to avoid or lessen the cost of repairs.
a. Once your appliance comes off warranty, any repairs will come out of your pocket. If you need an appliance repairman after your warranty expires, make sure you shop around for a reasonably priced and honest repair company. You do not need to use a repair company designated to service your particular brand by the manufacturer. Any competent and honest appliance repair company will do, as long as they say they can repair your brand. Charges for both parts and labor can vary considerably between repair companies, as can whether they are honest. So, get some recommendations and choose wisely.
b. Sometimes, a repair can be done by the homeowner. If you need a specific part for your appliance, most of the time the appliance’s manual will have a schematic that will show parts and list part numbers. Most all of these parts can be found on the Internet at one or more companies selling appliance parts. Make sure you shop around, since prices for the same part will vary considerably. Even if you are not doing the repairs yourself, you may want to check the cost of parts on the Internet to make sure your appliance repairman is not charging an outrageous price for that part they installed.
c. Once in a while, even a good manufacturer will produce the occasional “lemon.” This is an appliance that just was not built correctly and continues to have problems. Most “lemons” become fairly obvious within the first year of purchase, which is usually within the standard manufacturer’s warranty period for large appliances. So, if you purchased a “problem” appliance, make sure you let the retailer or manufacturer know you are unhappy and want a new replacement. Tell them that continuous visits to your home to repair the appliance are not acceptable, and that something is clearly wrong with the appliance that is not easily corrected. If you are having enough problems, and are insistent enough, most of the time they will replace the appliance. But beware, if you do not get the “lemon” replaced, it will some day come off warranty and will be your problem. So make sure you act quickly and don’t take no for an answer.
Rebates, Price Guarantees, Warranties & Gift Cards
Many retailers will offer rebates and price guarantees on electronics and appliances. They may also offer extended warranties, in addition to the normal manufacturer’s warranty. Their relative value to the customer varies. Gift cards are also popular at retail stores. Consider the following:
1. Rebates can really decrease the price of your purchase, and should be used to their fullest. Many people do not bother to apply for the rebate, because they either do not take the time or they feel it will never be honored. For the most part, applying for a rebate is relatively easy, and most always you will receive a rebate check for the promised amount.
a. Before you leave the store, make sure the cashier or salesperson explains what you need to do to collect the rebate, and provides you with all the necessary documentation you will need to apply for the rebate.
b. Make sure you apply for the rebate within the application period indicated. But do not apply until you have made sure that the product is fine, and that you will not be returning it to the store. If you have already applied for the rebate, you will probably not be able to return the product, even if it is still within the return period.
c. Follow all instructions exactly when applying for the rebate. If not, your rebate will probably be refused.
d. Make a copy of all documents supplied with your rebate application in case there
is a problem. Many times, manufacturers and retail stores will provide you with
email notification of the status of your rebate, or will provide a means for you
to follow the rebate’s status on the Internet. If your rebate does not arrive within
the indicated time frame, follow-
2. Many stores also offer price guarantees that say they will refund the difference, if the same product is sold at either their store or a competitor’s store at a lower price, within a certain number of days of your purchase. Some stores even offer 110% price matches where they will match a competitor’s price plus 10% of the difference.
a. For the most part these guarantees and price matches are hard to use because of many conditions, particularly that the product number be identical. Stores have gotten manufacturers to place slightly different product and model numbers on essentially the same product for sale at different retail stores, so identical comparisons for products you buy are difficult to find.
Next Page
