Whether you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen in order to put your home on the market or you’re buying a new home and need appliances, the decision for what to buy is a big one. With so many choices available and much money involved, you definitely need to make choices carefully in order to get the most bang for your buck. Here are some tips to help you along.
Do your research. Hop on the Internet and look up the model of the appliance you’re interested in. You can log on to ConsumerReports.org to find which appliances they’ve tested and what came out on top. Once you’ve pinpointed the model you want, use the Internet to find the best price. Then armed with that information, you can check out the big box retailers to see what they offer. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to add in the cost of shipping plus installation if you buy online.
Before making your final decision, check out a few blogs like Epinions.com. Chances are they offer reviews from people who have already purchased the appliance you’re considering.You’re generally safe with the big brands. According to Consumer Reports web site. GE, LG, Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore and Frigidaire are always in the top six rated appliances.
Consider performance, value and brand reliability as you shop.Forego the second mortgage. Sure, some folks are willing to pay $5,000 for a Viking range, but the truth is that an $850 GE stove tests just as well if not better when it comes to reliability. Most consumer experts agree you shouldn’t need to spend more than $800 to $1,200 dollars for a good looking, reliable appliance.
Skip the extended warranty. Every store will try to sell you one, but 99 percent of the time you don’t need it. The average life of today’s appliances is 10 to 15 years, and if you do end up needing to fix something it’ll usually be outside the three-year coverage window of a standard extended warranty policy. Save your money.
