TV, Fridge, Washing Machine: Appliance Buying Guide and How Exchange Offers Work
The October sales are a reasonable time to buy a TV, fridge or washing machine, but check three things first. Appliance makers raised prices by around 5% to 8% from 1 October, so compare sale prices with what you noted earlier, not with the MRP. Fridge star labels changed in January 2026, so an older 5-star model is roughly a new 4-star. And exchange offers are only an estimate until your old appliance is inspected at pickup.
Last updated: 6 October 2026. Amazon Great Indian Festival starts on 8 October and Flipkart Big Billion Days on 9 October.
What has changed for appliance buyers in 2026
Three changes affect what you pay and what you get this year. Most sale pages will not mention them.
Prices went up again on 1 October
Several brands raised appliance prices from 1 October 2026, the third round of increases this year. Reported increases include around 5% from Haier (with more planned through January), 5% to 7% from Godrej Appliances, and about 7% on TVs from Super Plastronics. Brands blamed higher copper, steel and aluminium costs, freight and currency swings. Daikin's chairman said copper prices had risen by almost 25% to 35%.
What this means for you: part of the "discount" in this sale may only take prices back to where they were in September. If you noted a price before 1 October, compare against that.
TVs face an extra pressure. Memory chips are more expensive this year, and smart TVs use them too. Counterpoint Research has reported buyers moving to smaller screen sizes as prices rise.
Star labels for fridges and ACs changed in January 2026
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) tightened its star rating rules from 1 January 2026 for air conditioners and refrigerators. A model that was 5-star under the 2025 rules is roughly equal to a 4-star under the new rules, and the same shift applies down the scale. New 5-star models are about 10% more efficient than the old 5-star, and cost more.
This matters in a sale because older stock can still be on the shelf. Look at the label year on the product images or specifications. A 2025-labelled 5-star fridge at a good price can still be a fair buy, but compare it with 2026-labelled 4-star models, not 2026 5-star models.
GST on bigger TVs and ACs is lower than before
Since 22 September 2025, TVs of all sizes, air conditioners and dishwashers are taxed at 18% GST. Before that, ACs, dishwashers and TVs above 32 inches were taxed at 28%. Refrigerators and washing machines are also at 18%. The cut is already in today's prices, so it is not an extra sale saving, but it is part of why bigger TVs cost less relative to small ones than they did two years ago.
How exchange offers actually work
An exchange offer gives you a discount on the new appliance in return for your old one. The value you see at checkout is an estimate. The final amount is decided when someone inspects your old appliance at your home.
Here is the usual process on Amazon, Flipkart and brand stores:
- You declare your old appliance at checkout: type, brand, size or capacity, and whether it works.
- The site shows an exchange value and deducts it from the price.
- The new appliance is delivered. The old one is picked up at delivery or shortly after, depending on the logistics partner.
- The pickup agent inspects the old appliance. They check the brand, model and capacity, switch it on, look for damage and check basic accessories such as the TV remote.
- If it matches what you declared, the exchange is completed. If it does not, the value can be reduced, or the exchange can be cancelled and you pay the difference.
Once the exchange partner has accepted your old appliance, you usually cannot get it back. Make sure you are happy with the final value before you hand it over.
What "working" means at pickup
Inspection rules vary by seller, but published exchange terms from major brands use checks like these:
| Appliance | Usually counted as working | Usually counted as not working |
|---|---|---|
| TV | Screen turns on and shows a clear picture; no cracks, lines or patches | Cracked screen, lines, spots or discoloured patches |
| Refrigerator | Turns on and cools normally | Weak cooling, compressor failure, cracked or rusted body |
| Washing machine | Turns on, drum rotates, controls work | Control panel failure, drum fault, unusual noise |
| AC | Both units present and of the same brand; turns on; no major damage | Compressor failure, rusted outdoor unit |
Declare the condition honestly. Marking a faulty appliance as working is the most common reason exchange values get cut at the door.
Is the exchange value a good deal?
Often, the exchange value is lower than what you could get by selling the appliance yourself. One major brand's published exchange terms list values from ₹550 to ₹5,000, depending on the appliance and its condition. A working TV or fridge in good shape can sometimes sell for more through a local buyer or an online classifieds listing.
Exchange still makes sense when:
- Your old appliance is old, faulty or bulky, and selling it would take time and effort.
- The exchange bonus in the sale is high, which some brands add on top of the normal value.
- You need the old one removed on the same day the new one arrives.
Before you choose exchange, get one quick quote from a local buyer. If it is much higher than the exchange value, sell it yourself and take the bank offer on the full price instead.
Buying checklist: televisions
Pick the size for your room
Size matters more than most specifications. As a rough guide, measure the distance from your seat to the wall where the TV will go:
| Viewing distance | Common screen size |
|---|---|
| Up to about 5 ft | 32 to 43 inches |
| About 5 to 7 ft | 43 to 50 inches |
| About 7 to 9 ft | 55 inches |
| More than 9 ft | 65 inches and above |
This is a starting point, not a rule. A 4K TV can be viewed from closer than an HD one without looking grainy.
What else to check
- Resolution: At 43 inches and above, 4K is now standard and worth having.
- Panel type: LED is the most common. QLED and OLED have better colour and contrast and cost more. Check reviews for the exact model, not just the panel name.
- Software and updates: Smart TVs depend on their operating system. Check which OS it runs and whether your apps are supported.
- Warranty: Look for the panel warranty separately from the standard warranty. The panel is the most expensive part to replace.
- Installation and wall mount: Some listings include free wall mounting; others charge for it. Check before you compare prices.
Buying checklist: refrigerators
Pick the capacity for your household
As a rough guide:
| Household | Common capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | About 180 to 250 litres |
| 3 to 4 people | About 250 to 350 litres |
| 5 or more people | 350 litres and above |
Cook often or buy groceries in bulk? Go one size up.
What else to check
- Direct cool or frost free: Direct cool models cost less and use less power but need manual defrosting. Frost free models defrost on their own.
- Star label and its year: Check the BEE label and the year on it, as explained above. A higher star rating saves on electricity over the fridge's life.
- Compressor warranty: Many brands give a long warranty on the compressor, separate from the product warranty. Check the number of years on the listing.
- Inverter compressor: Adjusts its speed instead of switching on and off, which usually means lower power use and less noise.
- Space and door direction: Measure the space, including room for ventilation at the back, and check which way the door opens.
Buying checklist: washing machines
Pick the capacity for your household
As a rough guide:
| Household | Common capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | About 6 kg |
| 3 to 4 people | About 7 kg |
| 5 or more people | 8 kg and above |
What else to check
- Front load or top load: Front load machines use less water and are gentler on clothes but cost more and take longer per wash. Top load machines are quicker and easier to load.
- Fully automatic or semi-automatic: Semi-automatic models cost less but need you to move clothes between tubs.
- Water supply: If your water pressure is low or the supply is irregular, check the model's requirements. Some machines struggle with low pressure.
- Motor warranty: Many brands give a longer warranty on the motor than on the machine.
- Installation: Check whether installation, the inlet pipe and a stand are included.
Where to buy: Amazon, Flipkart or the brand store
| Amazon Great Indian Festival | Flipkart Big Billion Days | Brand's own store | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts | 8 Oct | 9 Oct (8 Oct early access for eligible members) | Varies |
| Bank offer announced | 10% on SBI cards, including EMI | Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards | Varies |
| Extra offers | Exchange Mela, Buy More Save More, Combos | Exchange, BBD event deals | Brand exchange bonus, extended warranty |
| Brands named so far | Not announced for appliances | Haier, Acer, JBL and TCL among participants | Own brand only |
Compare the final price after the bank offer and exchange, not the headline sale price. Full sale details are in our Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026 guide and Big Billion Days 2026 guide. Current appliance offers across stores are on our home and kitchen offers page and electronics offers page.
Paying on EMI for a big appliance
Large appliances are the most common EMI purchase in festive sales. No Cost EMI can be useful, but it usually comes with 18% GST on the interest, sometimes a processing fee, and sometimes a smaller bank discount than full payment. Our guide on what No Cost EMI actually costs has a worked example and a checklist for the payment page.
Delivery and installation timing
Big appliances take longer to deliver during sales, and installation is often booked separately after delivery.
- For Dussehra (20 October): Many families buy appliances on Dussehra. To have it installed by then, order in the 8 to 10 October window.
- For Dhanteras (6 November) and Diwali (8 November): Order by late October. Installation slots fill up in the week before Diwali.
- On delivery day: Check the box for damage before signing. For TVs, many sellers require an unboxing by their technician; do not open the box yourself if the listing says so, or you may lose the damage claim.
All the festival and sale dates are in our October 2026 sale calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
The best appliance deal this October is the one where you know three numbers before you click buy: the price before the 1 October increase, the final price after your bank offer, and what your old appliance is worth outside the exchange offer. With those in hand, the sale banners become easy to read.
