A Whole Lot of Glimmer!

Have you noticed all the shiny new looks that large appliances are sporting these days? Just a little color, but a whole lot of glimmer! All that kitchen ‘armor’ can really turn a homespun kitchen into a professional 'restaurantish' gourmet centre.

Manufacturers are certainly catering to our insatiable desire for high tech features that will not only work harder and quicker, but will add more leisure time to our already full days.

Counting The Cost:

While we welcome all these new convenience features and admire their good looks, they don’t come cheap, but with price tags that are not for the faint-of-budget. Stylish new major appliances can now cost you two, three times or even more, than their plain counterparts. So you really need to be prepared with the wallet in tow, if you’ve got your heart set on upgrading to a ‘modern’ kitchen or laundry.

And warranty periods have not really been increased, but have remained generally in the one year range. Some models may even carry a limited warranty with varying periods dependent on components. Self-servicing after the warranty period expires, as many consumers are likely to do, may also become more challenging with the increased use of new technology.

Reaping the Benefits:

Convenience features not only enhance product use but result in time-saving benefits. Less time in the kitchen and laundry means more time for family and relaxation. Of great benefit and certainly worth noting, are the increased electricity and water efficiency features that newer models are sporting. And in this energy-conscious era, this is definitely a plus for newer appliances.

Budget Bargains - Good Deals on Outgoing Models:

The trend for ‘in with the new’ and ‘out with the old’ has never been as apparent as it is today in houseware departments. But alas, this scenario provides a wonderful opportunity for the budget-minded consumer to find some really good buys. For example, a well-featured, energy efficient, toploading washer and dryer pair can still be found for well under $1000. It’s a good time to find some really great deals.

The Bottom Line:

So if you’ve got your heart set on the trendy all-decked out models, be prepared to pay more. You’ll also need more comparison time to review all their features – the manuals have gotten a wee bit larger. But if what you really want is just a good ‘workhorse’ with the features that matter most to meet your needs and budget, without all the bells and whistles, you can still find some excellent buys out there.