10 Buying Appliances Tips – A Must-Do Checklist

April 9th, 2007

Appliance Talk

When you think about it, buying appliances can have a significant effect on the way your household functions. You should have to settle for nothing less than the perfect appliances for you and your family to live with. Once they are purchased, they will ideally be forgotten about, and should become part of the structure of the home.

Used every day, and by the majority of the household, these machines need to accommodate several factors to make them the perfect appliance for you and your family. I have narrowed down the 10 most helpful and necessary hints to remember and focus on when considering buying appliances. These should not be ignored. The fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, vacuum and other everyday appliances can become a convenient extension of the home, or a frustrating and exhausting chore to deal with.

After service calls, hundreds spent on upkeep and maintenance, re-fitting of the room surrounding, and constant cleaning of the wrong appliances, you will have wished you had read these tips. These will save you time, money and most importantly provide your home with more convenient and simple living.

1. Determine Your Needs and Assess Your Living Habits Before Buying Appliances

Probably the most important step to take when buying appliances. Recognise what features you and your family need in an appliance, and buy it accordingly. You do not need to spend the extra money on a Side-By-Side fridge if there are only two of you living at home. Evaluate what you need, what you want, and what you can afford and buy in relation to that. This way, you save money, energy and space in the long run.

2. Check the Energy Ratings on your Appliance

While an appliance may be cheaper in initial cost than another, it may make up the difference in the long run. Energy saving appliances are better for the environment, and ultimately more cost effective. Make sure to check the Energy Rating on the front of every appliance.

3. Measure your Space Carefully Before Buying Appliances

Make sure you have measured the dimensions of the space where your appliance is going carefully. Ensure space if the machine needs plugs and wiring at the back. Also, check the size of the doors and corridors that you need to carry the machine through to get into place. You don’t want to buy your perfect machine and then realize you can’t fit it into your home!

4. Compare Machines When Buying Appliances

Rarely will you find the best machine for you on the first visit to the show room. Instead, check the features and prices of several different machines. Search the web to view different models and to more clearly compare. Then, go and find the real machines so you can further understand what you REALLY need and what is the best purchase for you and your family. Make sure you check aspects of the machine like price and versatility. Many machines have features like more than one operating mode or changeable interior layout. Truly versatile machines have the ability to change with your household.

5. Check Style and Design

You want your appliances to fit aesthetically into your home. Check the finishes that match your decor. Buying appliances with a stainless steal finish can turn your appliance into a beautiful addition to the home, or use white for a more classic look. Some washers have now been designed with personalized patterns on their exterior. New styles and designs not only make the home nicer to live in, but when it comes time to sell, good looking appliances can make a huge difference to the interior design.

6. Check for Noise Levels

The noise of a machine is something which is often forgotten to take into account when buying. With so much activity going on- especially in the kitchen and living room, it is important to buy appliances that will not affect day-to-day life. Most new appliances have been designed to make minimal noise. Be sure to check the decibel rating if your machine has one, and compare with others. Note also that decibel differences of ten or less are not noticeable.

7. Where to Buy and Who to Buy From

If you want your appliances to be a reliable one, make sure go about buying appliances from a place you trust. Ensure that the sales people supply warranties with all of their products, and that they are helpful and knowledgeable in whatever field you are looking at. Their prices should reflect the quality of their products, so be wary of anything exceedingly cheap.

8. Check the Quality of Products

The country in which an appliance is made can often have huge influences on the way in which it works and the quality you can expect from it. European products are generally at the higher end of the price range, but are better quality and maintain good functioning. Similarly, products from USA are good quality, but you will often find yourself paying for the benefit of US production, not the machine, so they can be overpriced. Korean models are generally good value for money with high features and long life expectancy. In contrast, China often produces cheaper and poorer quality machines. Japan is mostly in between Korean and European production with high technological features. Finally, Australia and New Zealand products are consistently good quality at reasonable prices. Most importantly, buying from these local brands helps to support local manufacturers and economies.

9. Check the Warranty

Make sure that you read and understand the warranty before start buying appliances. Consider whether the warranty covers the entire product or only certain parts. When purchasing from an online company, check whether they or the manufacturer is responsible if something goes wrong. Check to see if labour is included in the contract and how long it lasts.

10. Check the Quality of Products

Materials that do not require special cleaning products are ideal. Appliances with smooth construction, few cracks and seam where soil can accumulate are best. Also, check how available help is going to be when you need the appliance repaired. Here, it is advisable when buying appliances that they have a manufacturer in state or close by if you need parts and installation. Check Consumer Reports and appliance repair firms. Check with the sales person too. From here, you should be able to assess which machines are going to need the least upkeep throughout its life.

So there you have it- 10 hints that should make buying appliances a roaring success. I cannot stress enough the importance of comparison when buying- and checking that the features of the machine match yours and your family’s personal needs. While some machines can be hugely technologically advanced, it cannot make your home life easier if you don’t need them, or don’t know how to use them. Make sure to ask the sales people any questions or queries- no matter how insignificant they may seem. After all, these appliances should be living with you for the decades to come!