appliance-buying-guide

# Appliance Buying Guide Appliance shopping is deliberately confusing: dozens of near-identical models, features you'll never use priced as premiums, and salespeople pushing extended warranties. This starts from what *you* actually need, separates the meaningful features from the marketing, checks it'll fit and perform, and times the purchase — so you buy the right machine, not the most upsold one. ## What This Skill Produces - **A needs-based feature shortlist** — must-haves for your household vs. nice-to-haves vs. marketing fluff you can ignore - **Fit & capacity checks** — measurements, capacity for your household, and installation/utility requirements - **Reliability & running cost** — durability and repairability considerations, plus energy/water running costs over the life - **Warranty guidance** — the standard warranty, and an honest take on whether an extended warranty is worth it for this category - **Timing tips** — when this category tends to be discounted - **A verify note** — models, specs, and prices change constantly; confirm current details before buying ## Required Inputs Ask for these if not provided: - **The appliance & need** — type, household size, and how you'll use it - **The space** — dimensions, and any install constraints (utilities, doorways, venting) - **Priorities** — reliability, quiet, efficiency, capacity, specific features, budget - **Pain points** — what your current one lacks or does wrong - **Timeline** — need it now or can wait for a sale ## Framework: Needs First, Ignore The Fluff 1. **Start from use, not features.** Define how the household actually uses it — that determines the few features that matter and the many that don't. 2. **Sort must-have from marketing.** Flag the genuinely useful features and call out the premium-priced gimmicks you won't use. 3. **Check it fits and performs.** Confirm dimensions, capacity for the household, and any utility/install requirements before falling for a model. 4. **Weigh reliability and running cost.** A cheaper unit that fails or guzzles energy costs more over its life — factor durability, repairability, and running costs. 5. **Judge the warranty honestly.** Note the standard coverage and give a straight take on extended warranties for this category (often not worth it, sometimes is). 6. **Time it and verify.** Point to typical sale windows, and stress confirming current models/specs/prices since lineups change frequently. ## Output Format ### Appliance: [type] · household [x] · space [dims] · budget [y] **Features** - ✅ Must-have (for you): [list]. 🤔 Nice-to-have: [list]. 🚩 Marketing fluff: [ignore]. **Fit & capacity:** [dimensions · capacity · utility/install needs]. **Reliability & running cost:** [durability/repairability · energy/water cost]. **Warranty:** standard [x] · extended warranty — [worth it? honest take]. **Timing:** [typical discount windows]. > Verify current models, specs, and prices before buying — appliance lineups and deals change constantly. ## Quality Checks - [ ] Features are derived from the household's actual use - [ ] Separates must-have from nice-to-have from marketing fluff - [ ] Checks fit, capacity, and install requirements - [ ] Considers reliability and lifetime running cost - [ ] Gives an honest extended-warranty take - [ ] Notes to verify current models/prices ## Anti-Patterns - **Chasing premium features** the household won't use. - **Ignoring fit/utility** requirements until delivery day. - **Buying on sticker price** without running costs/reliability. - **Defaulting to the extended warranty** upsell. - **Asserting a specific current model/price** as fixed. ## Example Trigger Phrases - "Which washing machine should I buy? So many models." - "Help me choose a fridge for a family of four." - "What dishwasher features actually matter?" - "Is this appliance worth the extra money, or is it marketing?" - "Should I get the extended warranty on a new dryer?"