Introduction
Refrigerators have been a part of American households for decades. Many people assume that the longer something has been available on the market, the lower the price. As competition comes along on a national and global scale, economics dictates that appliance manufacturers must find ways to produce refrigerators home styled at a cost that beats other makers. Also, appliance manufacturers must try to offer a competitive price for the consumer on the market, sometimes referred to as manufacturer suggested retail pricing.
Unfortunately for the consumer, the laws of economics can be turned into the favor of the manufacturer. For example, a top freezer refrigerator has been available since the early days of this appliance. However, the price for a top freezer refrigerator is currently may appear to be the same as it was decades ago, adjusting for inflation. When you actually look at the features and functions in modern top freezer refrigerators, you will see that advances in technology has made the appliance more energy-efficient and also help households do a better job of preserving perishable food. So essentially, top freezer refrigerators have undergone upgrades, which defy the laws of economics, keeping the retail price of this decades old refrigerators home style the same as it has always been, or even more expenses than in years past.
Consumers want the best deal on a home refrigerator. As you begin your search, you should follow a few simple steps to ensure you pay a fair and customary price for something which every household, cannot live without, in a 21st-century.
Step 1
Narrow your refrigerator options down to models that have some type of energy efficient rating and accreditation. Most Americans are accustomed to seeing the Energy Star rating on home appliances, including ranges, dishwashers, as well as washers and dryers. Many, if not all, modern refrigerators have this coveted Energy Star rating. If you are shopping at a local appliance retailer. You can find this rating on a yellow tag on the front or back of the unit. If you are shopping online, you may find text in the product description that confirms that the appliance has this rating. If you are having difficulty, you can visit the EnergyStar.gov website or the appliance manufacturer's website to find Energy Star ratings based on the refrigerator's model number.
The reason why appliance with these ratings is a good deal is because over the life of the appliance you will save money. As the cost of electricity goes up, which is something consumers have little control over, you will have assurances that your refrigerator is operating at peak efficiency, helping you to avoid unnecessary expenses on utilities.
Step 2
Purchase refrigerators that have a matching range, dishwasher, exhaust, or an over-the-range microwave. The manufacturer and/or the retailer may offer a discount, because you are buying so many items at once from the same store. This is
Step 3
Research refrigerators home styled models that have been out on the market for few years. Appliances that have been in production and on the market for a few years may go down in price over time, while new products that get introduced to the market may be too expensive for many people's budget. As you browse for products at a local or online store that sells appliances built note the complete brand and model number.
Then visit the manufacturers website and find the owner's manuals for each refrigerator that is of interest. Look at the bottom of the first few pages to find the copyright date of the users manual. This date may also coincide with the general time frame when the manufacturer produced the refrigerator. If you see that the refrigerator is a few years old, you may automatically receive a good deal on the price, for something that performs essentially the same basically functions as newer, more modern refrigerators.
However, you may want to double check, to verify if the technology that is used in an old refrigerator is indeed obsolete, which is the reason why the manufacturer or the retailer is offering such a good deal on the price. Also, verify that the refrigerator has not been recalled.
Sources and Citations
- "Ditch Full-Price Appliances - The Best Bargains of 2011 - Kiplinger." Kiplinger - Personal Finance, Business, Investing, Retirement, and Financial Advice. 01 July 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/Best-Bargains-2011/31.html>..
- "GE's &ldquo.eco Kitchen&rdquo. Appliances Help Consumers Save 20 Percent on Electricity - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ge-eco-kitchen-appliances-help-164300477.html>..
- "LG to Raise Prices for Home Appliances - WSJ.com." Business News &. Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703652104576122162193192184.html>..
- "List of Retail-Appliances Companies Worldwide - Bloomberg." Bloomberg - Business &. Financial News, Breaking News Headlines. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/companies/retail-appliances/>..
- "The Real Cost of a Gourmet Kitchen: The Upgrade - Bloomberg." Bloomberg - Business &. Financial News, Breaking News Headlines. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bloomberg.com/consumer-spending/2011-12-14/the-real-cost-of-a-gourmet-kitchen.html>..
- Skariachan, Dhanya, and Patrick Lannin. "Appliance Makers to Shoppers: Prices Will Rise | Reuters." Business &. Financial News, Breaking US &. International News | Reuters.com. 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/27/us-whirlpool-electrolux-idUSTRE73Q3U320110427>..
- "Smart Appliance Shipments to Exceed 24 Million Units by 2017, but High Prices Remain a Barrier, Says ABI Research - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Smart-Appliance-Shipments-bw-1583799234.html?x=0>..
- "Smart, Space-Saving Appliances Are Among Latest Kitchen Design Trends - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/smart-space-saving-appliances-among-195600742.html>..
- "US Major Household Appliance Shipments Nearly Flat In Oct. - WSJ.com." Business News &. Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111115-714806.html>..
- "Whirlpool Cuts Forecast on Weaker Appliance Demand - WSJ.com." Business News &. Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203687504577003362235867958.html>..
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