The average home has dozens of appliances that will eventually need to be replaced.  Add the cost of purchasing and maintaining these appliances together and you have made a significant investment. Here are ways to buy quality home appliances cheaply. The best deals will be for those who have access to a pick-up truck to avoid paying delivery charges.

LARGE APPLIANCES

Home builders buy their appliances in large lots in order to get the best discount. However, many times they do not use all of the appliances such as when a buyer either wants an upgraded appliance package or he will be bringing his own washer and dryer with him. When the builder finishes the project, he sells the unused appliances to an overstock store. Although only builders can sell to the store, anyone can buy from these outlets. They have a wide variety of building and remodeling materials in addition to the large appliances. Many have a cash and carry policy and all sales are final, so go prepared. The appliances are sold at a fraction of the original retail price and carry the same manufacturer's warranty. Check the yellow pages and also check online for the nearest overstock outlet. If you are unable to locate one, then contact a local builder to ask if he will provide the information to you.

Major retailers have scratch and dent sales that offer a significant reduction in price. Although these home appliances are covered under warranty and it is believed that the damage is only cosmetic, be aware that some of them may have fallen off of the truck or the loading dock. Many scratch and dent sales are final sales. Others may have hefty restocking fees if you want to return the merchandise. Try to have the salesperson plug in the appliance to make sure that everything works. Most appliance salespeople work on commission and are quite willing to accommodate the customer in order to make the sale.

The current economy has caused many stores to go out of business. Go to the store on the last day of business for the best discount. Many times the discount is 70-90 percent during the last few hours. There may not be much of a selection left but you might just be lucky. Just as with the builders' overstock stores, all sales will be final.

Note: Be extremely careful when a sale is advertised as a liquidation sale. Sometimes poor quality merchandise is brought in exclusively for this sale instead of selling the store's normal line of merchandise.

If you do not have a preference to whether a home appliance is new or used, then check out your neighborhood used appliance center. They frequently offer matched sets of washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. Many of the used appliance centers offer a nice warranty, sometimes six months including labor, on every purchase. An added benefit is that these appliances have most likely been checked over by their own repairman before being placed on the sales floor.

If you know your home appliances inside out then check out the bargains at moving sales and estate sales. Both offer good prices but you will have to pay cash and also provide your own transportation.

SMALL APPLIANCES

Pharmacies offer good prices on personal appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, shavers, and massagers.  Larger pharmacies, such as Walgreens, also carry small kitchen appliances such as mixers, blenders, and toasters.  Many also offer their own store rebate program which will save you even more. 

Wedding season is a great time to get quality new appliances at yard sale prices.  It is common for newlyweds to receive multiples of some gifts and to have a yard sale to transform the extra items into some much needed cash.  Small kitchen appliances and microwave ovens are most common; however, I have also seen vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, water purifiers, space heaters, ceiling fans, and --- one time --- a window air conditioning unit.  So check out the yard sales for brand new merchandise at bargain basement prices.

Sometimes the thrift store has brand new small home appliances.  The best time to find them is on Monday or Tuesday as they are probably something that did not sell at a weekend yard sale.

Shopping online can also bring good bargains to your door.  Online retailers do not have the same expenses as a brick and mortar store and are frequently able to offer lower prices.  When buying online, add in any additional expenses such as shipping and handling to decide if it is a good price.  After finding what you want but before completing the sale, open a new browser window and do a Google search for coupons and discount codes.  You might just get free shipping or an extra 10% off.