We spent nearly $3,800 on kitchen appliances this weekend — but since we love a good bargain, we managed to cut about $1,400 off that total and ended up paying roughly 63% of the original cost. Here’s how we did it.
First, why new appliances? Short answer: multiple reasons. In checklist form:
- A: We wanted stainless steel instead of the current bisque/black mix.
- B: The wall oven has a large burn mark and cooks unevenly.
- C: Our refrigerator is showing signs of failure — the ice maker doesn’t work and cooling has been inconsistent since Hurricane Irene.
- D: All of the above.
We chose D. We knew some of these issues when we bought the house (the fridge problem developed later), so we planned to replace appliances as part of a future kitchen update. We’ve been saving for about 10 months and researching options carefully instead of rushing into a full renovation. For months we:
- watched Craigslist for discounted appliances
- checked secondhand and thrift stores (like ReStore)
- visited the local Sears “Scratch & Dent” store
None of those options worked out — Craigslist listings didn’t fit or match our needs, thrift stores carried mostly outdated items, and scratch & dent prices were often comparable to new units during seasonal sales. Then we noticed that Lowe’s had attractive discounts and price-match policies, so we focused our search there.
We’d had good experiences with Frigidaire in our previous house, so we decided to stick with that brand for consistent stainless finishes and reliable performance. We ended up choosing Frigidaire Gallery models with a fingerprint-resistant stainless coating, which was a welcome bonus. After narrowing options by function, fit, and value, here’s what we purchased:
- 22.6 cu. ft. Energy Star counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator — We discovered our current fridge is counter-depth, so we chose a counter-depth replacement to keep the profile consistent. The new model also offers more usable space.
- Electric convection stove with Quick-Boil feature — Instead of replacing expensive built-in convection ovens, we’re switching to a standard range. This model’s convection and quick-boil features were only slightly more expensive than a basic range thanks to sale pricing.
- Microwave — A straightforward replacement similar to the unit we previously liked.
- Energy Star dishwasher — We value an efficient dishwasher; adding an Energy Star model aligns with our fridge choice and saves energy.
Even after saving up, the sticker prices were intimidating. Fortunately, each appliance was already reduced in-store. The biggest markdown was the refrigerator, which dropped $500 — a price that seemed to fluctuate between $1,799 and $1,299. In addition to sale pricing, several stacked discounts applied:
Both the fridge and dishwasher qualified for an Energy Star discount, taking another 15% off those items. The stove received a 10% sale discount, while the microwave didn’t qualify for certain percentage-based reductions because it fell under the minimum price threshold for that particular deal.
Because we already have a Lowe’s credit card from a previous appliance purchase, we received an additional 5% off the total purchase. Lowe’s allowed the discounts to be stacked, which substantially lowered the final amount.
On top of everything, Virginia was running a tax-free weekend for Energy Star appliances, effectively removing the 5% sales tax on the fridge and dishwasher. Combining all the markdowns, card discount, and tax holiday brought our total down to about 63% of the original combined price — roughly $1,392 saved. That discount made it feel like the stove and microwave were essentially free, since their pre-discount prices together were about $1,248.
The appliances will be delivered for free by Lowe’s, so we’ll post photos once they’re installed. We plan to donate our old appliances to ReStore for free pickup, though we may sell the relatively newer cooktop and microwave locally. We’ve also been busy with a few other kitchen decisions and changes, so expect more updates soon — the renovation is officially underway, even if we’re only a small percentage done.
If you took advantage of similar deals this weekend, congrats on saving money while upgrading. For Virginians wondering about timing, the sales and tax-free incentives we used were valid through the end of the weekend. Finally, if you’re replacing older appliances with Energy Star models, check your local incentives — some states and programs offer rebates for qualifying refrigerator and dishwasher replacements.