The only way to be sure you’re getting a good deal is to shop around. Because manufacturers enforce minimum advertised pricing policies designed to squelch price competition, if you rely just on stores’ ads or websites you’ll find the same prices from store to store for most models.īut Checkbook’s researchers found that if they called or emailed stores and mentioned they were collecting prices from several outlets for the models they were considering, they were often steep discounts to earn their business.Īt independent stores, Checkbook’s shoppers found that informing sales staff that they were getting price quotes from multiple stores often spurred discounts, waivers of delivery and installation fees, or both. Getting big chains to be flexible took considerably more effort, but if Checkbook’s researchers waited and waited on hold to speak with appliance-department sales managers, they sometimes secured better deals. Call four or five retailers and ask to speak to someone with authority to provide discounted pricing. Tell that person the makes and model numbers of the appliances you want, explain that you are calling multiple companies to solicit bids, make it clear that you will ask each store only once for its best price - and will buy from the store that offers the best deal.ĭon’t be shy about using this method. Be polite, businesslike, and let stores know that you get competitive bids whenever you make major purchases. Most appliance salespeople are accustomed to providing discounted pricing when asked. Start by deciding on the models you wish to buy. There are a few excellent sources that provide independent buying advice. Consumer Reports regularly evaluates appliances on a range of quality issues, including reliability, and offers sage advice on the pros and cons of configurations, designs, features, and options. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program provides lists and energy-usage data on certified appliances. Salespeople can also be fantastic sources of buying advice - but only at stores that employ knowledgeable, helpful staff. If you need delivery and installation services, nail down prices for that work along with prices for the appliances. #Checkbook org install#īe aware that some companies won’t install dishwashers, and others won’t connect appliances to gas lines. Some delivery personnel won’t do anything but move appliances into place and plug them in. Checkbook has won the National Press Club’s prestigious First Place Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism.If you buy from a store that doesn’t provide full installation services, and you aren’t comfortable with doing it yourself, you’ll have to hire a plumber or appliance repair service. Checkbook evaluates the quality and prices of local service companies and stores, such as auto repair shops, plumbers, dentists, banks, and insurance companies. Its evaluations at provides information to help consumers in five states select the best health plan through government healthcare exchanges.Ĭonsumers’ Checkbook magazine and are published in seven metro areas: the Boston, Chicago, Delaware Valley, Puget Sound, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Twin Cities, and Washington, DC, areas. It provides its evaluations of physicians and hospitals on its websites, , and. Checkbook created the first-ever website to report surgeon-specific outcomes in terms of deaths and complications for a wide range of high-risk surgeries. It has for 40 years been an innovator in providing consumers information to help them select high-quality services, including physicians and hospitals. Email: Checkbook is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization.
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