It’s that time of year again, when you start to worry about what you’re going to get for someone on your list who is notoriously hard to shop for. Or perhaps you are thinking about getting yourself some great new home appliances—like a brand new vacuum—but you’re not sure exactly how to find the best deals. Before you panic, use this guide to find the best deals on amazing vacuums that you or someone on your list will definitely love to get.

As a side note, if you’re worried about giving a vacuum as a gift, check out our recent blog with reasons why vacuums should definitely be something you give at Christmas. Now that you know you should be giving or getting a vacuum, here are some ways to find a great deal and still ensure you get a great vacuum.

1: Pay close attention to the big sales.

Home appliances like vacuums often show up on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other pre-holiday shopping deal lists. While that is great, and it can present an amazing opportunity for you to get a new vacuum for a great deal, there is a word of caution here: not all the deals are that great. Since deep discounts on vacuums and other appliances are intended to be loss leaders—a product to get you into the store, or these days onto the website, to shop and hopefully buy other things that are not as discounted—they tend to be things that the store doesn’t mind losing money on. In other words, they probably aren’t the best-sellers.

2: Be aware of the condition of the vacuum before you buy.

There are some places online that offer amazing discounts on vacuums and other home appliances, but if you read the fine print you discover they are not brand new. Retailers often have great prices on “refurbished” or “open box” items. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there are some caveats before you buy.

First, know who is refurbishing the item, and whether they are skilled at vacuum repairs. Your average big-box retailer might be shipping it off somewhere with no idea if they’re quality repairs. Check the warranty on these items in case something goes wrong down the road. Second, ask if it’s “like new” or “as-is” condition. The first one should be an indicator that the quality is good, while the second might be a red flag.

3: Shop locally (online or in person).

Local vacuum shops are often a much better place to shop for home cleaning devices. Since a vacuum is a long-term purchase, you want to know there is someone who can help you get parts, repairs, and other important tools to keep it running. Local shops are also in need of some support this year, so many will have similar discounts to the big-box stores and online retailers. Even if you have to pay a little bit more, you get the convenience of picking it up locally and knowing there’s someone who can help if you have an issue.

Shop today at Vacuums 360 to see our selection and let us know how we can help you get a great deal on a new vacuum this holiday season.