When to buy appliances and save hundreds
Major appliances follow a clear discount calendar tied to model-year changes and holiday events. Here's when to buy each.
- New models arrive in fall, discounting current inventory September–October.
- Holiday weekends add another layer of appliance markdowns.
- Manufacturer rebates stack on top of retailer sales and bundle discounts.
- Buying a suite (fridge, range, dishwasher) together unlocks bundle pricing.
- Scratch-and-dent and floor models cut hundreds for cosmetic-only flaws.
Fall model transition
Most major appliances get refreshed in fall, so September and October are prime for discounts on the outgoing — still excellent — models. Refrigerators in particular follow this cycle closely, with the deepest cuts on last year's lineup.
The outgoing model is typically a near-identical machine to the new one, so unless a specific new feature matters to you, the transition discount is close to free money.
Layer holiday sales
Holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday — bring additional appliance markdowns on top of the seasonal cycle. Overlap a holiday sale with the fall transition and you catch the lowest prices of the year.
Black Friday in particular is strong for smaller kitchen appliances and package deals, while the spring and summer holidays lean toward laundry and refrigeration.
Chase the rebate
Manufacturers frequently offer mail-in or instant rebates that stack on top of the retailer's sale price and any bundle discount, and these often aren't advertised at the shelf. They're the most-missed appliance saving.
Always ask about and check for an active rebate before buying — our rebate guide shows how to find and actually claim them, since unredeemed rebates are pure lost money.
Buy the suite together
If you're replacing a kitchen or laundry pair, buying the appliances as a suite from one brand usually unlocks bundle pricing that beats purchasing them separately, plus occasional free-delivery or installation perks.
Get the bundle quote and compare it against the individual sale prices with rebates — sometimes the bundle wins, sometimes stacking individual deals does, so it's worth checking both.
Consider scratch-and-dent
Scratch-and-dent, open-box, and floor-model appliances are discounted heavily for cosmetic flaws that often end up against a wall where no one sees them. The machine works identically and usually keeps its warranty.
Inspect the unit and confirm the warranty before buying, and weigh whether the mark will even be visible once installed — the same logic as our open-box guide.