Appliances tend to break down at the least convenient times. You may find that your dishwasher has suddenly stopped working — or you may experience problems with your refrigerator, washing machine, or other major appliance. Most of us have a tough time living without these machines, so this isn’t the type of product that you can simply wait on replacing.
It’s important that you do everything in your power to replace appliances as quickly as possible, especially if you depend on them for storing perishable items (as you do with refrigerators) or cooking your meals. But appliances are also rather expensive, running anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a single purchase.
You could, of course, consider buying a used appliance or buying from a low-quality brand. This will save you money in the short term, but in the long term, you may end up paying more. Why? If you’re buying a used product, it will likely break down sooner, causing you to either pay for repairs or to buy a replacement prematurely. And if you’re buying a low-quality product, the same issues still apply; furthermore, it may not be energy efficient, running up your bills over time. So why not consider financing for appliances?
Why Seek Financing for Appliances?
Seeking financing for appliances essentially means that you can divide your purchase payment for appliances into multiple parts. Rather than paying in full for your appliances right away, you will pay for the machines over the course of months or years — much like what you would do if you were buying a car. Customer financing is available for appliances and there are actually different options available for different types of purchases.
Financing is available not only for appliances but also for jewelry and furniture, among other products. Essentially, this option allows you to skip over waiting a long time to pay in full for a great product or paying less for a subpar product. You’ll get to eventually own this product for yourself outright while making manageable payments over time to start.
I Have Bad Credit. Are There Options For Me?
A lot of people don’t consider financing for appliances because many Americans have bad credit histories. A low credit score will often prevent you from buying large purchases on credit. Instead, you’ll be expected to pay for an item in full right away.
But financing for appliances is not the equivalent of buying on credit every time. Right now, over 157 million Americans have credit card debt — and the thought of taking on debt isn’t an appealing one. This is why lease-purchase programs have become available, along with simple bad credit financing.
Lease-purchase programs will allow you to get the merchandise that you need regardless of your credit score and without taking on the interest rates that are required when you take out a loan or buy on credit. Instead, you’ll simply make payments until you’ve paid for the product in full. Otherwise, you’ll return it. And returning the product does not hurt your credit score, either. A flexible lease-purchase program is a wonderful alternative to buying on credit, taking out a loan, or buying a subpar product. Though you can explore other options in terms of financing, most of them will come at the minimum with an interest rate, which often can be quite high if you have a low credit score.
Can I Use Financing to Rebuild My Credit?
Sticking with the idea that you have a low credit score, is it possible that you can rebuild your credit while financing your appliance purchase? The answer is yes. A lease-purchase program cannot hurt your credit score — and if you pay off or return the product, it can help your credit score. As long as you make your payments on time and in full, you can slowly rebuild your credit history. This will allow you to get what you want in a structure that can accommodate your financial situation.
There are a lot of things that you need to consider when buying appliances. You typically can’t wait too long before replacing most appliances and you should buy a product that will last for the long term. Finance options for your new appliances will allow you to get what you need in a way that works for you.
