Purchasing a washing machine can be a significant investment, but with some planning, you can save a lot by buying at the right time. Retailers often run discounts during specific seasons and events, making it easier to find quality machines at a lower price. Here’s a guide to the best times to buy an affordable washing machine, along with tips to ensure you get the best value.
Shop During Holiday Sales
Major holidays are prime times to score deals on appliances, including washing machines. Retailers slash prices to attract customers, and you can take advantage of the competitive discounts.
Best Holidays for Appliance Deals:
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Often the biggest discounts of the year, with both in-store and online promotions.
- Presidents' Day: A great time to shop, with retailers offering winter clearance deals.
- Labor Day: Many stores offer end-of-summer appliance sales.
- Memorial Day: Kicks off summer sales with discounts on large home appliances.
These holiday events are some of the best times to find steep markdowns on washing machines from top brands.
Take Advantage of Seasonal Clearance
Stores tend to roll out new models in the fall, typically around September and October. As a result, retailers need to clear out older models, making late summer and fall an excellent time to buy.
When to Look for Clearance Sales:
- End of summer: Stores discount existing inventory to make room for new models.
- After the holiday season: Leftover stock from Black Friday sales is often marked down.
Clearance sales let you buy reliable models at a fraction of the original price without sacrificing quality.
Look for End-of-the-Month and Weekend Sales
Retailers often have sales at the end of the month to meet sales quotas. Similarly, weekend promotions are common as stores attract more shoppers with discounts.
Best Times to Visit Stores:
- Last few days of the month: Salespeople may offer better deals to meet monthly targets.
- Holiday weekends: Look for additional savings during extended sales events.
End-of-the-month and weekend shopping gives you more opportunities to negotiate or find open-box deals.
Buy During Appliance Package Sales
Some retailers offer bundled discounts when you buy multiple appliances together. If you’re renovating or furnishing a new home, this is an excellent way to save.
Where to Look for Bundles:
- Home Depot and Lowe’s: Frequently offer appliance packages with washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators.
- Best Buy: Includes washing machines in their appliance bundles, with discounts on multiple items.
- Costco: Offers appliance sets at discounted prices, especially for members.
Bundling appliances ensures you save more than buying each product individually.
Shop Online for Competitive Prices
Online stores often have lower overhead costs than physical stores, allowing them to offer better prices. Additionally, you can find online-exclusive discounts and promotions.
Where to Shop Online:
- Amazon: Features deals on top washing machine brands with free shipping.
- Lowe’s and Home Depot: Offer online sales, including free delivery for larger appliances.
- Best Buy: Provides financing options and frequent online discounts on appliances.
Use price comparison tools to monitor prices across different websites and catch the best deals.
Consider Buying Open-Box or Floor Models
Open-box or floor models are often heavily discounted, as they have been on display or returned by customers. These machines are typically in excellent working condition and offer substantial savings.
Where to Find Open-Box Deals:
- Best Buy: Check their open-box section for large appliances.
- Local appliance stores: Ask about discounts on display models.
- Lowe’s and Home Depot: Offer floor models at reduced prices to make room for new stock.
Inspect open-box or floor models for any signs of wear and confirm that they come with a valid warranty.
Use Rebates and Coupons
Appliance manufacturers and retailers often offer rebates and coupons that can significantly reduce the price of a washing machine.
How to Find Rebates and Coupons:
- Visit the websites of top washing machine brands for rebate programs.
- Use apps like Rakuten for cashback deals.
- Check RetailMeNot and Honey for coupons applicable to online purchases.
Combining rebates with sale prices gives you maximum savings.
Monitor Price Drops with Tracking Tools
Using price tracking tools ensures that you get your washing machine when it hits its lowest price. These tools monitor sales across retailers and notify you when the price drops.
Best Price Tracking Tools:
- CamelCamelCamel: Tracks price changes on Amazon.
- Honey: Monitors prices across multiple online stores.
- Google Shopping: Helps you compare prices and track discounts.
Setting alerts with these tools ensures you never miss a great deal.
Consider Refurbished or Scratch-and-Dent Models
Buying refurbished or scratch-and-dent models is another way to save. These machines might have minor cosmetic flaws but perform just as well as new ones.
Where to Find Refurbished or Discounted Models:
- Local appliance stores: Many offer refurbished units with warranties.
- Home Depot and Lowe’s: Check their clearance sections for scratched models at discounted prices.
- Online marketplaces: Sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace often feature second-hand appliances.
Refurbished appliances provide excellent value if you're comfortable with minor imperfections.
Use Buy Now, Pay Later Options
Some retailers offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, making it easier to afford higher-end washing machines through installments.
Popular BNPL Providers:
- Affirm: Available at retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
- Klarna: Works with online stores like Best Buy and Wayfair.
- Afterpay: Splits payments into interest-free installments.
BNPL services make it easier to manage your budget while investing in quality appliances.
Take Advantage of Free Delivery and Installation Offers
Many retailers offer free delivery and installation during sales events, which can save you additional costs.
Where to Look for Free Services:
- Home Depot: Offers free delivery on appliances costing over a certain amount.
- Best Buy: Provides free installation with appliance purchases during select promotions.
- Lowe’s: Includes free basic installation on washing machines.
These services ensure that your new washing machine is set up correctly without extra fees.
Buying a washing machine doesn’t have to drain your wallet if you time your purchase strategically. Take advantage of holiday sales, clearance events, and weekend promotions for the best discounts. Consider buying bundled appliances, refurbished units, or open-box models to save even more.
Whether you choose to shop online or in-store, using price comparison tools, rebates, and loyalty programs ensures that you get the best deal. With careful planning, you can find an affordable washing machine that fits your budget without sacrificing quality or performance.
