When Cathy Workman's dishwasher broke, she needed a new one fast. But she still took time to compare prices.
Cathy says, "I called one store, another local store that I know has competitive prices, and I just made sure that the price was not out of line."
Consumer Reports says if you're not in a rush, you can save even more.
Dan DeClerico says, "Retailers have sales throughout the year, so you need to keep an eye out. You can check newspaper ads, or even better, sign up for e-mail alerts that'll give you a heads up."
But Consumer Reports says be aware, sales aren't usually across the board.
Sears in particular employs what's called a hi-low strategy. It lists some items at sale prices, while marking up others.
And it pays to register on manufacturers' web sites. You can save through mail-in rebates and other special offers.
GE recently offered free stainless steel upgrades on selected appliances. And maytag offered cash back of up to $500 when purchasing multiple appliances.
DeClerico says, "Tax credits and rebates on energy-efficient appliances like washing machines and refrigerators are another great way to save."
You can also check online deal finders like www.mysimon.com... and www.pricegrabber.com to find the best deal.
DeClerico adds, "You should print out the lowest prices you find, and take that to retailers with low price guarantees so you can negotiate for a better deal."
Home Depot, for example, promises to beat a competitor's price by 10% on in-stock items.
With a little advance planning, savings can really add up.
Another way to save on appliances... forget shelling out money for an extended warranty.
Consumer Reports' surveys reveal most appliances don't break during the extended warranty period, so you're likely wasting your money.