At a Glance:
Different Types of Appliance Sales
What’s So Great About Discount Appliances?
If you are like most homeowners, looking for a new appliance can be a touchy subject simply because of the hefty price tag that often comes with them. Sometimes we forget that searching for a new appliance, whether that be a microwave, dishwasher, or refrigerator, doesn’t have to be a budget-crushing, overwhelming process. Many appliance stores offer rebates/promotions, scratch and dent, and discount appliances. This is a great option for getting yourself a quality appliance at a great price.
Today our Plaza Appliance Mart team will talk about the different clearance options appliance stores offer, what’s so wonderful about them, and how they can help you save money when updating or replacing your current appliances. So, instead of searching “discount appliances near me,” read on for tips and tricks to get the appliances you need at the prices you need them.
Different Types of Appliance Sales
There are several different appliance sales that you may find when looking for discount appliances. From scratch and dent, rebates, floor models, and more. Let’s look at the different types of discount appliances most common for consumers and homeowners looking to save a pretty penny on new kitchen appliances. Most appliance sales have things in common as to why they are on sale or discounted, but knowing what each sale is and how they can help save you money is an important tool to have when searching for new, top-of-the-line appliances for your home.
Scratch and Dent
You may hear the term “scratch and dent” and think you need to steer clear of a sale like that. But, in reality, scratch and dent appliances are usually in perfect working condition and have just a few minor bumps and scratches on the exterior. These imperfections can come during the shipping and handling process, once they arrive at the warehouse, or even once they arrive at the retailer. Most of the time, you will find that scratch and dent appliances only have imperfections that are damaging to the visual appeal but still work and function in their entirety.
The nice thing about scratch and dent appliances is that you can usually purchase a top-quality appliance at a serious discount. As usual, do your research on specific appliances ahead of time before purchasing to know exactly what you are getting into. Ask the retailers questions about the extent of the damage, if the machine will still function properly despite the damage, and what the discount price will be.
Discount percentages vary based on the damage and appliance brand, but you can get scratch and dent appliances on sale for at least 15 percent off or even up to 40-60 percent off. That’s a major saving for most families while purchasing something that will provide the necessary functions.
In addition, “scratch and dent” doesn’t always mean the damage is done to the appliance itself. Sometimes, the exterior package can get damaged during the shipping process and be enough for manufacturers to qualify it for scratch and dent discounts.
Be sure to ask your retailer for the manufacturer’s warranty on scratch and dent appliances. Although most of the time, the warranty is still the same if the appliance is still new. An extended warranty on the appliance will not cover the cosmetic damage to the appliance. However, if the appliance is in perfect working condition, the extended warranty can still cover any malfunctions to the appliance after its purchase.
Finding scratch and dent appliances can be simple, but it just takes a little digging sometimes. You can go to your local appliance and ask if there are any scratch and dent appliances on sale at that time, or you can take to the internet and google “scratch and dent appliances near me.” You will most likely see several stores within driving distance of the Charlotte area that are solely retailers of scratch and dent appliances, but your first stop should be Plaza Appliance Mart.
Floor Models
If you’ve ever been inside a local appliance store, you’ve most probably found the section where all the floor models are displayed, allowing you to see, touch, and feel what the different appliances are like. Retailers often have floor models for most appliances, especially bigger ones like refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves.
If you are looking for discount appliances, inquiring about a floor model is a great way to find a top-quality machine at a discount. When retailers receive a new model, they are often left with the floor model from the last year. When this happens, retailers offer the floor model of the older appliance at a discount — usually around 10-15 percent.
Knowing when new models are about to hit the retailer is the best time to stop and see if they will sell you the older floor model because most retailers will not sell the floor model at any time soon. In general, the latest model appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges get rolled out from September to December. So, if it’s not quite time for new models to roll out, and you can hold off on replacing your current appliance, waiting until new models are released can prove to be quite the benefit to your wallet.
Open Box
As you can see, several different avenues exist to find discount appliances. Another option is to look for open-box appliances at your local appliance retailer. There are several different reasons an appliance could be considered an “open box,” from customer returns, damage to the box, floor models, etc. Oftentimes, purchasing an open-box appliance is a perfect time to get a like-new or brand-new appliance at a steep discount. Customer returns can happen for many reasons other than just a broken appliance. Customers always return appliances because the product is the wrong size or color or they are simply changing their minds. Whatever the reason may be, many open-box appliances are in perfect working condition.
Your best bet at finding open-box sales is to simply ask your retailer you are shopping at if they have any open-box appliances on sale at the time because sometimes you can find open-box appliances for up to 20 percent off.
Appliance Packages
Almost always, buying large appliances in bundles of two or more will save you a considerable amount of money. Most manufacturers offer steep discounts on appliances when bought together, which is a great way to save yourself money, especially if you want to replace more than one appliance at a time. Appliance packages often include the major appliances needed for a functional kitchen, like a refrigerator, range, dishwasher bundle, or combinations of microwaves, dishwashers, ranges, and refrigerators.
Price comparisons obviously depend on which appliance package you go with and what the brand is. Often, you can find kitchen appliance packages on sale for up to 20 percent savings on the final price, compared to if the appliances were bought separately.
Clearance Sales
When you start to see appliances on clearance, the main reason will be because those clearance appliances are the last ones the store has of a specific model. It is high tide for them to move those out to replace them with newer, updated appliances. Clearance and floor model appliance sales are essentially the same but cycle for different reasons. Floor models are what’s left after the new appliance models come in and are generally the last model the store has for that specific appliance. Clearance sales are when manufacturers test, perfect, and then distribute the new models for the upcoming season. The retailers start to discount the current models to move inventory quickly to make room for next year’s appliances.
Like floor model sales, trying to find clearance sales throughout the year can be difficult if you don’t know when to look. Wintertime is the best time for clearance sales, as retailers are getting ready for newer models to hit the floors in the spring.
Related: Appliance Clearance Sales vs Rebates - What’s the Better Value
Store Rebates
Contrary to popular belief, rebates and discounts are two different things, although they benefit the consumer equally. Discounts are a percentage off of a certain item due to a varying number of reasons.
A rebate offers the consumer a monetary reward for reaching certain purchase goals. For instance, Plaza Appliance Mart has several different rebates/promotions from several appliance brands, like Sharp, LG, GE, Bosch, and Frigidaire, all offering money back when a customer buys a certain dollar amount of appliances. Like “Save up to $3,400 when you purchase select Frigidaire Professional appliances” or “Get Up to $800 back on eligible Bosch kitchen appliances.”
What’s So Great About Discount Appliances?
Whether you accidentally stumble across a discount appliance store or religiously watch the sales ads and trends of popular manufacturers, I think it’s clear to see that snagging an appliance or appliance package on sale can save you a great deal of money and heartache. In a world where we always have the latest and greatest, sometimes it pays to bide your time, wait out the trends, and purchase a new-to-you appliance and maintain a moderate to a large amount of savings.
Come check out Plaza Appliance Mart’s discounted selection, promotions, and more in person today or browse our hot buy appliances online for the best deals!
Why Trust Plaza Appliance Mart?
Plaza Appliance Mart is a local, family-owned, appliance store in North Carolina where you can get personalized, expert service that you won’t find at the big box stores. Plaza Appliance Mart is YOUR source for competitive prices with knowledgeable in-store professionals here to help you every step of the way, whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you’re remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products. And, our delivery and installation specialists will assure that your new appliances arrive safely and are installed properly.
If you were to ask the employees at Plaza Appliance Mart about their roles in the company, they’d say they’re not just employees, they’re family. So as you might imagine. a team of professionals like this who are already so tightly knit and bonded together make for a perfect partner with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Apart from their community ties, Plaza Appliance is an accredited Better Business Bureau company with an A+ Rating.
Shop Appliances at Plaza Appliance Mart
Stop by Plaza’s Charlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, or Pineville locations to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop appliances online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best discount appliances around — whether you call us at 704-568-7600, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn More: Best Appliances Matthews, NC Reviews: Plaza Appliance Mart