"With the threat of tariffs ongoing, there are some reasons to think some of the deals we see at Labor Day this year might actually be better than the deals we see by the time we get to Black Friday," says Consumer Reports Deputy Home Editor Paul Hope.
Hope says consider the need and do your research, especially when it comes to large appliances.
Start by looking at appliance longevity, performance and reliability before the new features.
"Many manufacturers offer things like air fryer ranges, built-in wifi or through-the-door seltzer dispensers on a fridge," Hope said. "All of those things are cool and are great features, but none of them really matter if the fridge can't keep food cold or the range can't bake an even cake."
Consumer Reports' 2024 Spring Survey found that only 21% of large appliance shoppers haggled for their price, but the majority of people who asked for a discount ended up getting one.
"In our survey, the median amount people saved is $123, often just by asking for a discount," Hope said.
See if your store offers bundle pricing, senior, veteran or special group discounts.
"A lot of the big chains will have existing policies where they'll price match other retailers' prices," Hope said.
If you're in a bind and looking to save, a lot of retailers sell floor models or the ones on display at a significant discount. You have to time that out because that's typically when a newer model is about to be released.
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