Many of the higher end appliances are essentially price controlled, so any discount would be unofficial. Your builder's discount (you're getting one of those, right?) is likely to be your best hope of a reduction. It may not hurt to ask for more, but don't be surprised if you don't get very far.

I think you should figure a 20-25% discount as a price and tell a salesman this is the price I need to be at to get the deal done. Contact different retailers until you find one ready to work with you.

In this area, the demand for high end wouldn't allow for a 20-25% discount. We got the builders discount for Thermador from Furgeson and another local store, neither would go lower. I did ask.

A price is an invitation to bid.

With free delivery you can shop in areas of higher demand. Keep looking. I got 25 off a 7k Miele appliance 600 miles away. It took a request and the salesman would see what he could do and get back to me.

My local appliance dealer claims that he can't make any deals on our selections because the manufacturer sets the price. But what really annoyed me was his unwillingness to do anything - he didn't even offer to throw in a small microwave. Our order includes a 42" Sub Zero French door, Blue Star Platinum 30" range, Thermador Professional wall oven and an as yet to be selected dishwasher with a heated dry cycle and microwave.

We will definitly look elsewhere before placing our order. If I knew that this dealer would go the extra mile in case of a repair issue we'd probably still buy from him. But even that seemed a little iffy.

Maire

As others hae said, the prices are fixed. Look for other things, like throw in delivery, extended warranty, free disposal, other small items.

The prices 'appear' fixed. But that's so you won't try. A good salesman can structure your entire deal to give you a good discount overall. . . . Or you can pay more if you wish to.

Thank you, everyone! Anthony, that was great info. Does this include no builder's discount as well with Thermador? I was hoping my contractor buying them would afford us a discount, otherwise why wouldn't we purchase them ourselves on our own credit card for the points at least? Bummed tho, as I was hoping to at least get an extended warranty thrown in or a deep discount on a microwave, lol.

Your contractor very likely gets a discount...Im am not sure if they will or even can (per their agreement with the manufacturer) pass those on to end customers. Your best bet to get a discount is to try to get discounts on other items. I bought wolf/SZ appliances at HH Gregg some time back and they let me but a microwave and 2 big screen TVs at what they said was cost...not sure if it was but it was significantly cheaper than elsewhere.

Think twice about the package thing. Most split it up to get the best features.

you can find deals online. also, you may not be able to get the local dealers's price marked down, but get other stuff thrown in - delivery, install, something else in the store.... Many ship tax free. I couldn't give a rat's s$$ about who the store is, I don't buy the dealer. Of course, that is the sales pitch, but I didn't care about that. Some do.

The price was the price for me. 35k worth of Miele and Thermador. I did get a promo where they paid my sales tax (6 percent) and I supposedly got a deal on installation and extended warranty (they both did seem low for what I'd expect so it was probably true). The high end appliances are mostly price fixed, stores can't really sell new in box appliances under msrp without losing distributor status with the manufacturer.

People "think" they are getting good deals with throw ins but it completely depends on which products you are buying and who is servicing. I bought from a dealer who wanted more for a warranty than the manufacturer. If I can go straight to the manufacturer/brand for a warranty then I always will buypass the dealer on that.

Real savings are usually found on display items and scratch n dent. Anyone who considers such a product and doesn't google the serial number -- or alternately -- call the manufacturer to find out when the product was manufactured is simply not using good shopping practices. Yes, rip offs abound but there are still those who buy an appliance, don't like it and can afford to replace it -- giving someone else a good discount. I've seen a poster here replace a Gaggenau oven with a GE. No accounting for taste.

I personally would not buy a suite of appliances under any circumstances. I would best I could afford in each category, mix and match and hope that some leeway on one will offset the cost of another.

@rococogurl your very right, stay away from any dealer trying to sell any kind of aftermarket warranty on high-end appliances, these are usually worthless and serve only to make the dealer extra cash and give the customer false piece of mind. Not many manufacturers offer extended warranties but the ones who do I highly recommend purchasing them, especially in the high-end sector. Miele is one such company that does offer extended warranties on all their products. In regards to your thoughts on scratch and dent shopping, yes there are true deals to be had there as you said but it comes with it's own set of caveats: 1. you must take the time to do all the homework and research on the products your buying (which again goes back to buying your dealer) and 2. likely requires you to purchase appliances from multiple dealers which can be a headache for logistics reasons.

@nightowl - some brands offer great incentives for buying everything within the brand, all the top brands do currently: Miele, SZ Wolf, Viking, Bosch/Thermador, etc.

@22k22 - "builder's discount" is not as real as a builder would like his client to think. What your builder pays and what a customer off the street pays, on a single order, is usually identical. The incentive programs for builders is set up by the various manufacturers (not the dealers) and operates outside of that realm entirely. Most are based on the amount of product a builder buys over a year long period, not a single sale.

...

Anthony

Appliance Buyer's Guide

One method of 'getting' a better price is for the salesman to give you a total price on a number of appliances. Some may appear to be price fixed while others aren't. He can write up the bill with no or a builders discount on the restricted models and a deep discount on the others. Your total price works out to be a good discount on everything. You wouldn't get the deep discount if that was the only appliance you were purchasing. . . . .You have to know what you want and know what you'll pay. Search to find a salesman who is willing to work with you to get the deal done. They still make plenty.

It's up to you. The fact that few consumers are doing this makes it easier.

Thank you! Great advice and insight, everyone. Much appreciated.

Is there a significant benefit to buying appliances from a local store (such as Ferguson, Pacific Sales) vs. from an online site like AJ Madison who ships free with no tax? Our tax rate here is close to 10% so saving on tax would be huge for the amount we are spending on a 60" range, 60" R/F columns/ dishwasher/hood insert Thermador package. We are building a house so installation would likely be done by the builders anyway, I'd imagine. Does anyone have any experience with buying from a non-local, yet authorized dealer?

miele has a 10% discount for a package - according to their website

I went local, and with a local business at that. I didn't care for the Ferguson salesman. This was not a new build and I am not a builder, but I did receive a "builders discount", in which each component was less than the price on the AJ Madison or Thermador website. My concern with long distance would be accountability, or lack therof. I was able to call my local salesman when there was an issue with the column panels, and their installer had to come to my home twice due to incorrect cabinet panel size (cabinet company ate that cost). I think the process was less painful because it was a local company and I spoke with my salesman multiple times before the purchase.

@22k22 - Buying a suite of appliances from a big online dealer is really a bad idea.

For more, see this article I did years ago on the subject. (Of course, I'm biased, I am a local, privately-owned appliance dealer): https://appliancebuyersguide.com/buying-appliances-online/

You may save on sales tax, but the risks are heavy for such small savings, a short primer:

1. Trucking your new appliances to your home from their warehouses risks damaged appliances. Big appliances are not able to be "drop shipped". All of us must first take possession of them at our local warehouses. Then they can be RESHIPPED to a customer. And with FREE delivery, I can assure you they are not choosing their shippers based on customer service level, their only concern will be cost.

2. If your appliance is damaged when it arrives but you don't realize it and still sign for it, you're now an owner and return / exchange will not be cheap or easy, if possible at all. I've had many EASY sales to customers who first tried AJ Madison only to end up with a cracked glass cooktop, or a range with a shattered door, etc. They actually make for some of my best customers.

3. If an appliance breaks down the road and your having trouble with the manufacturer or the servicer, who do you call to assist you? The big online retailer will not help (nor could they if they wanted to) and no local dealer will want to touch it.

@Kitchenworks: I somewhat disagree. It depends upon the amount of money you are saving.

As for shipping you need to inspect before accepting (signing). Specify you want the appliance delivered to your garage - they will have a lift gate and proper dollies.

In my experience, many retailers / car dealers / etc offer no benefit - those days of service are gone. You want to pay $100's more thinking you are more secure - you're wrong. The manufacturer warrants the product - not the store.

Before you buy, go to the manufacturers web site, and find the authorized (warranty repair) dealers in your area.

Then too download the installation manuals ahead of time, so the installers know what's required.

I called a restaurant supply, and paid them to move the appliances to the kitchen.

Sometimes a bargain is expensive. If an online retailer ships a built in refrigerator to the bottom of a long driveway vs to the door that's one issue. Say they deliver to the door. But who gets a 60" range into the house? You need 3 people and maybe even special equipment.

Given what goes on today I wouldn't consider buying major appliances online. Some do and it turns out fine. But having had multiple appliance issues over the years I can't see it paying off.

@geoffrey_b well I can assure you that those days of service are not gone at independent retailers such as my store, and many others across this nation.

@kitchenworks: I've done business for many years. Unfortunately with the accelerated times - you never know who will be in business one day and out the next - how solvent are they - a myriad of unforeseen problems.

As a DIY engineer, I've remodeled our kitchen and two bathrooms. We bought most everything on line except tile. A wall oven came damaged and we denied it. Got another.

@rococogurl: "But who gets a 60" range into the house? ' A contract mover of equipment - I doubt there is any retailer that has the employees or equipment to move a beast like that.

There are always people who see road blocks and those who see opportunities. You can't change a person's characteristics. I have no problem with that.

You know I never thought about installation further than assuming the builders would install it. Is that not normally the case?

Probably not normally the case. I would think it's much more common to renovate a kitchen than build a new home. My cabinet installers would not install the range or columns, and my appliance installer wouldn't install the cabinet panel. Makes for fun times all around though.

I have these appliances you are looking at (actually 48" steam pro not 60" pro) and would highly recommend having someone install them who does it for a living.

My cabinet maker's crew came out during the appliance installation to fit the door panels at the same time. That helps. That's an independent dealer with their own delivery and installation crews, who brought the appliances up the stairs, uncrated, brought them into the house and installed them, and discussed the door panels with the cabinet crew. Love my independent dealer. Got the contractor's discount (he's also done more business with them since). For a bunch of appliances with price floors, I was very pleased with the final number.

@geoffrey b - I had to replace several appliances over the past 15 years. The dealers delivered into the house and provided installers (additional cost) to properly move and install the appliances. This includes a wall oven and a built in 36" refrigerator.

I provided installation instructions to an installer who ignored them, basically. This came from a very large dealer in my area but none of his people really knew what they were doing with what I bought except the guys who installed the washer/dryer. Other brands perhaps.

Initially, I inquired about who would do the warranty work on my appliances and even called them. They were very nice. Then one guy became ill and they went out of business. It was a mess after that. When the fridge door was recalled there was no one in the area who would agree to do the work.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to make decisions based on service issues these days.

How delivery works can be tricky and needs to be clarified in advance Then there may be additional steps. As I said, a bargain can be expensive.

rococogurl,

I'm the OP who replaced my Gaggenau Oven for a GE Wow! Sorry to offend your good taste.

Inga

Bumping in case anyone else has thoughts on negotiating the price of appliances. Do contractors get a discount? My interior designers said he can get (and pass along) trade discounts on other things, but doesn't really get discounts on appliances. Thoughts?