Learn the tips and tricks I used to save over $1400 on our new fridge. Don’t go appliance shopping until you check out these tips.

Our fridge started making terrible noises about a year and a half ago. I Googled the noises it was making and discovered the motor probably needed to be replaced. Other than the terrible noise, the fridge did work fine and kept food cold. Every 5 to 10 minutes it would grumble loudly for about a minute. Over the past year it got worse and worse until I just couldn’t take it anymore.

It was making the horrible grinding noises more often than when it wasn’t I’m actually surprised that I was able to put up with the noise for so long, but, I’m cheap and didn’t want to replace a working fridge if I didn’t have to.

I decided this spring I would buy myself a new refrigerator for my birthday/Mother’s Day present to myself. I spent quite a bit of time researching different models of fridges and decided that our family didn’t need an ice maker or water dispenser or any of the other fancy features. What we did need was the biggest fridge possible that would fit in our kitchen.
Take advantage of military discounts if you qualify
Lowes and Home Depot offer a 10% discount for active military personnel and veterans and because my husband was in the Navy and is a veteran, he is able to receive that discount.
Shop during holidays when big box stores have sales
I knew that appliances would be going on sale for Memorial Day and that I would be eligible for an additional discount if I signed up for a credit card at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Normally, I don’t sign up for store credit cards to get a discount but if you are purchasing something really expensive it can be worth it assuming you are financially responsible. I have excellent credit and always pay my full balance every month so I decided to get the credit card…. but I found out you cannot combine the military discount with the credit card discount. The credit card discount was only 5%, so no big loss.
After extensive online browsing and almost making myself mental to make sure I got the best deal I decided on this Samsung model.
It was 50% off. Regularly this fridge cost $2200 but it was on sale for $1099
With Rob’s military discount we received another 10% of for an additional $109 off.
Check for rebates with your local power company
Next came the rebates. Our local power company Puget Sound Energy offers rebates when you replace your old appliances with more energy efficient ones. PSE gave us $75 back for the fridge purchase and they have a recycling program where they will pick up your old fridge and give you $25. Sweet deal. Lowes was going to charge us $15 to take recycle the old fridge and instead we got money back.
Plus we got free delivery.
Ask for a discount if it arrives with minor damage
Upon delivery we noticed there was a small dent in the front of the fridge about the size of a nickel. I brought this up to the delivery man and he offered us another 10%, which was fine by us since the mark is easily covered up with a magnet. So we got another $90 off.
We ended up paying $791 for a $2200 fridge with total savings of $1409.
High five baby!
Another bonus was the heat pump that we had installed a couple of weeks ago was also available for a rebate with PSE and we got $800 back, so that refund paid for the new fridge!
Great savings all around.
We love our new fridge. I just want to pull a chair up in the middle of the kitchen and sit and admire it. I may have given it a hug or two when no one was looking. Shhhhh… don’t tell anyone.
Now, of course my oven is looking old and terrible compared to this new sleek black stainless steel fridge so I’m going to be on the lookout for a new range on Black Friday this year.

What’s the best deal you have gotten on an appliance? What are some tips you have to save money? Let me know in the comments!

that is so awesome! great deal, it pays to do your homeowrk!
Thanks!
You are not a crafty little gnome but also a frugal little gnome! Way to save 🙂
Thanks Joanne!