LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Have you been waiting to get your refrigerator, dishwasher or another household appliance? If so, you are not alone.
The phones have been ringing off the hook at Bonnycastle Appliance and TV in the Highlands. People are calling wanting to know when their new appliances will be delivered.
"The difficulties we face are backorders," Larry Link, the owner of Bonnycastle Appliance, said.
Link said in 35 years he has never seen the supply so far behind demand.
"It's not unusual to have appliance on backorder right now, from anywhere from six to 12 weeks," he said.
Monday, Kim Biesel went hunting for a washing machine at Charlie Wilson's Appliance & TV in Clarksville.
"Ours broke this Sunday," Biesel said.
Biesel did not like hearing that she might not be able to get a replacement right away.
Ken Faulkner, with Charlie Wilson's, said sales have been soaring and it has been difficult to keep up with demand. He said the store's backorder list as of Monday consisted of 1,600 pieces.
"The main thing is for our sales people to be able to tell the customer as accurate as they can when it will be available. That's not always possible because the manufacturer dates are changing," Faulkner said.
GE Appliances told WDRB News it has seen a record demand for certain products since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding freezer sales outpaced supply starting in March. The manufacturer said this comes as people are spending more time at home and have been making home improvements. GE said it is working to safely meet demand.
In the meantime, appliance stores are working to help customers out and asking for their patience.
"If they're building a house, we tell them order them now so they will be there when the house is ready," Link said. "And we have some loaners. You know some small refrigerators, things like that, that we loan out when people are desperate."
Copyright 2020 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
FAQs
Despite inventory backups and delivery delays, experts tell us that the appliance shortages are easing somewhat. Nevertheless, appliance delays remain historically high. With the global pandemic, underlying supply chain issues have been brought to light across the world.
Are appliances still hard to get? ›
Appliances are in high demand and hard to find. Here's why.
If you're a homeowner looking to wrap up a kitchen renovation or a home builder trying to finish off a new custom home build, you are probably already well aware of the current shortage of home appliances.
Are appliance lead times improving? ›
Inventory backups—and the delivery delays they cause—are easing somewhat, experts tell us. But they're still historically high. "It's not uncommon to wait two to three weeks, and with some products four to six weeks," says David MacGregor, an appliance-industry analyst at Longbow Research in Cleveland.
What factors should consumers consider when choosing appliances? ›
Let's go:
- 11 Things to Consider Before Buying Home Appliances.
- Features. The features are the first thing to look into as we begin our home appliance buying guide and journey. ...
- Optimal Size. ...
- Energy Efficiency. ...
- Space Occupancy. ...
- Accessibility and Ease of Use. ...
- Price. ...
- Warranty.
Luxury appliances, including high-end kitchen appliances and laundry sets, are often 12 months delayed, he says. Demand for high-end appliances was higher throughout 2020 and 2021 as many homeowners took on remodeling projects.
Why are appliances taking so long to be delivered? ›
Home appliance shortage hit by global supply chain crisis
Due to supply chain issues, shipping delays are longer than normal, according to industry insiders. Some local appliance stores are working hard to keep up with the demand.
Why are appliances so hard to get right now? ›
Why are so many appliances out of stock? It's the perfect storm of increased consumer demand, supply chain slowdowns, and a shortage of materials driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why can't I get appliances? ›
Appliance manufacturers have had supply chain issues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many brands require at least six weeks to complete their orders. A surge in customer demand coupled with low production prevented appliance companies from keeping up with orders.
Why are so many appliances out of stock? ›
Shortages have hit all kinds of major appliances: dishwashers, dryers, dehumidifiers, even some of the microwaves. That's because the pandemic threw a monkey wrench into both their supply and demand. The stage was set by a springtime run on freezers, followed by refrigerators with freezers.
Will appliance prices go down in 2023? ›
Appliances. These require semiconductors, too, and at the beginning of 2022, shortages pushed the inflation rate for appliances to nearly 9% on a year-over-year basis. Appliance prices moderated toward the end of 2022 and could start to turn negative in 2023. Electronics.
Here's why Bosch is consistently recognized as one of the most reliable appliance brands on the market: Bosch is known for producing appliances that are both durable and functional, with a focus on quality and energy efficiency.
What is the best day of the year to buy appliances? ›
Shoppers can find appliance deals throughout the year, but July 4, Black Friday and after a new model release are popular times.
What is the most important thing to consider before buying an appliance? ›
Decide your budget before shopping for the appliance you need. There are great appliances available at many different price points. Your budget may be your biggest concern when you're buying a new appliance. Decide what you want to spend on a new appliance before you shop.
What are the 4 factors that determined customers to buy a product? ›
A customer is surrounded by four key factors when considering any purchase: the product, the price, the promotion and the sales channel. Shopping in a physical store isn't the same experience as shopping online, neither shopping in a website or a mobile app.
Why is it taking so long to get Whirlpool appliances? ›
Why do Whirlpool appliances take so long to ship? Whirlpool was significantly affected by supply chain issues caused by the pandemic. Factories were shut down in various countries where the appliances are made. This created a backlog of orders that the company is still working through.
What time of year do new appliances come out? ›
A rule of thumb: Sales on last year's models kick off when this year's models roll out. Usually, new washers, dryers, and dishwashers debut in September and October, while new ovens and ranges drop around the top of the year. Folks who are itching for a spanking-new fridge should keep their eye out for sales in May.
Is there a good time to buy appliances? ›
Besides holidays, the best time to buy appliances is when new models come out. At these times, manufacturers will reduce the price of previous models to clear out inventory for the new products. As long as you're willing to get a slightly outdated model, you could save big bucks.
