That's what I keep asking myself...

I went out yesterday, after a week of searching, to purchase a new washer and dryer. GE, top loader Energystar compliant, agitatorless, stainless steel tubs, 4.3 cf washer (after new federal measurements) with 800rpm spin cycle and a 7.0 cf dryer.

We picked out exactly what we needed, and started the process of having them order it for us, then I asked them about a discount, since I was paying cash...and they told me they don't offer discounts like that. I began the normal negotiations for a discount, when I was reminded about something...I could buy Home Depot gift cards at the local grocery store, Giant Eagle, and receive fuel perk discounts, then use the gift cards to pay for the washer and dryer.

Off I go to Giant Eagle, to buy my gift cards. The perks that Giant Eagle gave me was a 10% food perk which is 10% off my next grocery purchase up to a $100 savings, as well as $4.00 off per gallon of gas, up to 30 gallons!!

I happily went back to Home Depot, who finally came up with a 5% cash discount for me after talking to the store manager, and completed the transaction.

I filled up my Lincoln for free on the way home, am going to use the grocery discount today, and will get the washer and dryer on Wednesday, delivered and installed for free.

I'll be writing a letter to Home Depot, explaining how their management team in this particular store saved me a decent amount of money...on top of the purchase price of the units I bought from them.

The way I look at it, with all the savings, I ended up saving just over $200 using their suggestion...that was on top of the already showing 20% off of the units since they are last years models! That would be almost $550 savings in all!

I'm sure there will be those on this board that will flame me for shopping at the big box store, but there aren't many places around here that would have told me how to save money like that...so, flame on!

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I bought my home's new GE Hybrid electric water heater from Lowe's a few weeks ago. It was on sale and I got a 10% discount on top of it.

The day after installation was complete, I noticed that a bona fide source on the Internet would have sold it to me for about $75 less, including delivery to my door.

Lowe's claimed they could not waive the $50 delivery charge that they charged me. They refused to let me will call it.

I was going to Lowe's here due to location and cost of getting there...less than 5 miles and no toll roads versus 22 miles and $2 toll. Lowe's prices are always too high on appliances, but SOME of their other prices are decent.

I tried dealing with Sears...that was a disaster. I printed off the pricing from their web site, and carried cash...not a check or a card. They told me that the price mysteriously increased $400 for the pair overnight, BUT that I could come back in 2 weeks to save $75 on the same pair. They, too, refused to give a cash discount, but offered 5% off if I applied for a Sears card.

I upset the wife when I told her that we wouldn't be buying from Sears. She was afraid that we wouldn't find the same units that she wanted elsewhere.

***FYI***
Last week, due to Federal regulations, all washer sizes were re-labeled to a smaller size. They apparently changed the way that they measure the capacity of the tubs. What I saw as a 4.1 cf on the 'net on Sear's site was dropped to 3.6 in the store. They haven't changed their site yet.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles