Best Time to Buy Kitchen Appliances

If you're lucky, the next time you have to run out to buy a kitchen appliance isn't because of an emergency. You don't want to be desperately waiting in line the Wednesday before Thanksgiving because your $300 mixer just went kaput.

When you can take time to save up for an upgrade or you know you'll need to buy a kitchen appliance as a wedding gift, the shopping experience can be a whole lot better and actually fun during certain times of the year. You're more likely to save money when demand for appliances is low. Take a look at our list of the best times of the year to buy kitchen appliances, and try to plan your next purchase around these times:

January

The two biggest holidays for snatching up the latest mixers and toasters have passed, and consumers are more careful with their spending this time of year, waiting for their January credit card bills to come in the mail. Retailers are looking to clear out the old inventory to make room for the new, and give customers a reason to shop. We've seen sales at big box retailers marked down large appliances by up to 30 percent.

May

Manufacturers introduce new refrigerators to the market during the summer months, so older models are usually discounted during May to get them out of the way for incoming inventory. You should also consider Memorial Day sales, where you're likely to see discounts of up to 30 percent on select kitchen appliances.

Holiday Weekends

The yearly calendar is full of holidays: Columbus Day, President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, Independence Day, Christmas Day…and the list goes on. Know what this means for you as a consumer? Sales, sales and more sales! During last year's Black Friday sale, a major electronics retailer boasted deals on Whirlpool, Samsung, and GE kitchen appliances of up to 40 percent off. Just be sure to confirm that you are indeed getting the best deal before forking over the cash.

Month End

Similar to car salespersons, those who sell kitchen appliances may also have quotas to meet. Take this as an opportunity to unleash your negotiating power and go for the win on your purchase. You're more likely to find some leeway with salespeople who work at mom-and-pop stores.

Desperate?

When you do have a suddenly broken but really necessary appliance on your hands, don't panic! We've got you covered with these helpful tips.

1. Look beyond the retailers when you shop online: Liquidation websites list tons of items and unbelievable, wholesale prices (just be sure the site is reputable before making your purchase). Also look at Craigslist, one of my personal favorite sites that connects you with sellers who are just as eager to pass their items off to you as you are to buy them. Take a look after Christmas or the wedding season, when gift recipients may have received duplicates or appliances they know they'll never use.

2. Drive around for deals: Go past your nearest mall and look for those out-of-the-way stores where you're more likely to find a steal. Check with your favorite manufacturer or do a search online to see if there's a scratch and dent center in your area for finding a not-so-perfect but still useable appliance. Also, look at secondhand stores for like-new appliances that were barely used.

3. Take a look at your credit card rewards: Some credit cards offer higher percentages of cash back during certain times of the year at big-box retailers. Even if the timing of your purchase doesn't coincide with that, consider which of your cards could give you the biggest return in rewards when you're making a big investment, like a new fridge.

The price of major kitchen appliances can be astronomical, especially if you're caught off guard with a mechanical breakdown. Before you run off to the store to get a new one, see if there's anything that can be done with the old one. You may still have some time remaining on your warranty, for example. When nothing more can be done - or if you're just looking to treat yourself to a new kitchen tool - then keep our list handy. Your wallet will thank you.