Need to upgrade or replace an appliance? You may want to turn to Costco.
The annoying thing about household appliances is that they don’t last forever. Even if you spring for a more expensive model, you might end up having to replace your fridge, dishwasher, or washing machine at some point.
Your goal in buying a new appliance should be to score a quality model at a reasonable price point that won’t result in an unaffordable credit card balance. And in that regard, it pays to look at Costco.
Costco’s supply of appliances may be somewhat limited in its stores (though this can vary by location). But if you look online, you’ll see a wide range of products. Here’s why you may want to make Costco your go-to spot for appliances.
1. You’ll typically get an extended warranty
It’s common for appliances to come with a warranty, but in some cases, that protection might only last for 12 months. But when you buy an appliance through Costco, you’ll generally get a two-year warranty right off the bat. That should give you peace of mind when you’re removing a large chunk of money from your savings account to pay for a major purchase.
Plus, finding your own repair person for appliances can be a hassle. Just because a local company in town fixes refrigerators doesn’t mean it’ll be equipped to fix the specific one you have. Thanks to Costco’s protection plan, you won’t have to worry about finding someone for the job.
Ordering a new appliance doesn’t always solve the problem of what to do with your old one. You might have to pay a junk removal service or bribe some friends with a hand truck and muscles to help you out.
But when you buy a new appliance through Costco, you’ll get your old one hauled away at no extra charge. That saves you money and a hassle.
3. You can snag 2% back on your purchase with an Executive membership
If you have a Costco Executive membership, you’re entitled to 2% back on your purchases both in stores and online. You might think that benefit doesn’t apply to appliances since they’re so expensive.
But a number of big-ticket items at Costco are eligible for 2% back on an Executive membership. These include vacation packages, furniture, and — wait for it — appliances. So all told, some of what you spend comes back to you.
Plus, if you use the right credit card to charge your appliance purchase at Costco, you might pocket even more rewards. Click here for a list of the best credit cards to use at Costco.
It pays to shop around
Costco is a good place to buy appliances. But before you buy your next one, it pays to compare prices with other retailers and see what offers they have.
You may find that another retailer comes in at a more competitive price for the same model, or a similar one, and that it offers a comparable warranty. And if you have a credit card that gives you 2% cash back on purchases, you can enjoy that benefit even if you’re not using your Costco Executive membership.
Any time you make a major purchase, it’s important to do your research. And buying an appliance is certainly no exception. Don’t forget to account for the cost of hauling away your old appliance when making your choice. That could cost a fair amount of money, so be sure to factor in Costco’s willingness to do that for free.
