Seven secrets to saving money on appliance for the kitchen

It's no secret that a kitchen appliance is a major purchase. So if you're on the hunt, you'll want to learn a few of these clever money-saving tips from industry insiders.

Don't concentrate on seasonal sales
You don't want to hold back until your refrigerator or oven breaks before changing it, but you don't need to time your purchases around Memorial Day, Black Friday or other sales events, either.

"If you look at advertisements for appliances, you'll see appliances are always on sale, inch says Kevin Brasler, professional editor at Consumers' Checkbook. "It's just one sale after another. But when you look at the prices could possibly be offering, they're roughly the same. " A 10-month investigation by Checkbook's puzzle shoppers found that the sales prices -- even heavily discounted ones -- on appliances for the home at many well-known stores are more often than not the typical prices.

Brasler recommends consumers commence shopping for kitchen appliances when they're ready to buy them rather than waiting for "deals" from retailers.

Get quotes via email
Although it pays to shop around when buying kitchen appliances, many consumers make the blunder of physically going to stores for quotes when they should be obtaining them through email, Brasler says. -Doing so will not only help you save time but also protect you from succumbing to a salesperson's face-to-face negotiating tactics. Plus, "it forces stores to compete for your business, " Brasler says.

Look past advertised prices
Most appliance manufacturers dictate the minimum prices at which stores can advertise their products, explains Dean Schwartz, president of home appliances at Sears. In other words, just because something happens to be listed at a certain price doesn't mean you may not get an improved deal.

Compare policies
If you have a favorite retailer -- either because you're a member or because you do have a store credit card that offers rewards -- see whether or not the shop is prepared to complement the best price you obtained. Many big retailers do. Greatest coupe, for instance, matches the prices of local competition and major online retailers. At the same time, Home Depot offers customers a "low-price guarantee" on all in-store purchases, that means the store will beat the price of a competitor by 10 %.

When trying to find deals, look at both on the internet and in-store promotions. (They don't always match, Schwartz says. )

Check for utility discounts
Many manufacturers offer rebates on appliances, but a lot of shoppers don't cash in on utility rebates, says Dan DiClerico, home expert at HomeAdvisor. You can search for rebates on Energy Star appliances at -energystar. gov/rebate-finder and on your utility company's website. "A lot of them are mail-in rebates, so it's an extra step, but it's easy money in your pocket, " DiClerico says.

Hire a contractor for unit installation
A number of retailers charge high fees for installation services. (Some stores quoted Checkbook's mystery shoppers $250 or more to install dishwashers and $200 or more to install gas ranges. ) Try hiring a certified plumber, electrician or HEATING AND COOLING contractor to install appliances at a cheaper price. You can use an online site such as Angie's List or HomeAdvisor to find service professionals, compare prices and read customer reviews.

Buy used
On a tight budget? Buying used appliances can be a great way to slice costs, but you have to shop smart. Generally, you will want to buy from a used-appliances store that sells refurbished products with warranties instead than from Craigslist or eBay, where you don't really really know what you're getting.

A single reputable destination to purchase gently used appliances is a Habitat for Humanity Bring back, an independently owned shop that donates a portion of its proceeds to the nonprofit organization.