(Hint: After they break is NOT the answer.)

Company is coming! Before you know it, the family will be arriving for Thanksgiving dinner and friends will be dropping by for a holiday celebration.

Is your stove up to the job of cooking the meal? Can your dishwasher handle the cleaning duties after? Will your refrigerator be cool enough to store leftovers? Or, are you seeing signs that an appliance failure is on the horizon?

Sure, you could cross your fingers and hope nothing will go wrong just before the big dinner. Of course, Murphy’s Law says that’s exactly when you’ll have an appliance meltdown.

October is one of the best months
to buy major kitchen appliances at a discount.

Good news! Whether you’re worried about your stove crapping out at the worst possible moment or simply want an upgrade before the holidays, now is a good time to shop. October is one of the best months to buy new, energy efficient kitchen appliances at a discount, say Walton EMC residential energy advisors.

Get good deals now

Timing is everything when buying a major appliance for your kitchen. Here are the best times to shop:

1. September, October and November – The best time to buy major appliances — kitchen and otherwise — is in the fall when manufacturers unveil their latest models. To make room for these new models, stores will discount their year-old appliances in September and October. If you want to shop online, data tracker TrackIf has pinpointed November as the very best time to purchase appliances.
2. Spring (for refrigerators) – Manufacturers tend to introduce new refrigerator models in the summer, so retailers mark down their inventory in the spring.
3. January – If you’re not in a pinch for a new appliance, wait until the new year. In January, retailers deeply discount prices on old stock to clean out their inventory. Be aware that the selection will be limited.

Great deals can be found in November
during the Veteran’s Day sales period.

Holidays – Major appliance sales usually correspond with holidays, especially those associated with three-day weekends. Great deals can be found in November during the Veteran’s Day sales period, which is the last big discount opportunity before Thanksgiving. If you can wait, great deals can also be found on Black Friday.

If you can’t wait for a sale

If the refrigerator dies just days before company is due, don’t forget to try these tactics to still save you money:

• Negotiate. Like the prices of cars and houses, the price points on large appliances are subject to change, notes Consumer Reports. Bring in competitors’ ads and ask if they can match the price.
• Shop at the end of the month. Employees who are trying to fill sales quotas are more likely to make a deal.
• Avoid the weekend rush. You’ll get more attention from the salesperson, and possibly a better deal too, if you do your appliance shopping on a weekday. Experts say Thursday is the optimum shopping day.

Before you buy

• Shop around. Just because a retailer advertises an item on sale doesn’t mean it’s the best price. Make sure you comparison shop first to know whether or not the advertised deal is really the lowest around.
• Measure. Before you head out to shop, use your measuring tape to get the exact measurements: depth, height and width of your existing unit. Also, note which way the door swings.
• Do your homework. Before you hit the stores, spend some time researching the various features offered on different models. Get an idea of the prices for models that interest you, so you’ll be ready to negotiate when you go shopping.

Look for models sporting the Energy Star label,
a sign that the appliance is energy efficient.

• Look for the Energy Star label. Besides updated features, one of the advantages of replacing an old appliance is energy efficiency. Look for models sporting the Energy Star label, a sign that the appliance is energy efficient and can save you money on your electric bill.

Know the warning signs of appliance failure

Recognizing the warning signs of appliance failure can allow you to plan ahead for a replacement. Buying a new appliance before the old one breaks gives you plenty of time to find a good deal, and desperation won’t force you into a pricey purchase.

And here’s another important plus: You’ll save energy. If an appliance is performing poorly, it’s probably using too much electricity. For example, if your refrigerator is struggling to stay below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s not functioning as well as it should — and it’s possible your electric bill will reflect this.

Pay attention to these warning signs to catch your appliance before you both hit total meltdown mode.

Ovens, ranges and stoves         

• Items don’t cook or bake in the amount of time they should.
• Error codes show on the stove’s display screen.
• Some stove burners don’t heat.
• Glass on the oven door is cracked.
• It’s over 15 years old.

Dishwasher

• Dishes don’t come out toasty and steamy following a cycle.
• Rust – inside or under the appliance.
• Door doesn’t latch properly—or at all.
• It fails to drain properly.
• It’s over 10 years old.

Refrigerator

• It’s warmer than usual.
• Your food spoils quickly.
• There is condensation on the inside surfaces.
• The freezer is running too cold and freezing food.
• It’s over 15 years old.