Buying a TV, AC or fridge? Here's why you may want to buy before October 1

If you were already planning to make a purchase for Diwali or for your home, buying before October 1 could help you avoid at least some of the upcoming price increase.

In Short

• Appliance prices to rise 5-8% from October 1 ahead of festive season
• ACs to see highest hike; TVs, fridges, washing machines up 2-4%
• Further price hikes possible till January if input costs stay high

If you have already been planning to buy an air-conditioner, television, refrigerator or washing machine, the next few days could be a good window to make the purchase, as several appliance makers are set to raise prices from October 1.

Leading consumer electronics and appliance companies are planning price increases of 5-8% on some products ahead of the festive season, reported news agency PTI.

AC prices are expected to see the sharpest increase, while some manufacturers are also raising prices of TVs, refrigerators and washing machines by around 2-4%.

This is also expected to be the industry's third round of price hikes in 2026, with manufacturers facing higher costs for copper, aluminium, steel, crude derivatives and freight, along with currency-related pressures.

So, if you were already planning to make a purchase for Diwali or for your home, buying before October 1 could help you avoid at least some of the upcoming price increase. However, consumers may still find older-priced stock in shops for some time after October 1.

WHY ARE APPLIANCE PRICES GOING UP?

The biggest pressure is coming from the rising cost of raw materials.

Copper, in particular, has become significantly more expensive. Haier India President NS Satish told PTI that copper prices, which were around $8,000-$9,000 per metric tonne last year, have now touched $14,500. An air-conditioner typically requires 3-4 kg of copper, making the metal a major cost for AC manufacturers.

Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan also said commodity prices, including copper, steel and plastics, have risen because of the ongoing war, forcing the company to increase prices for the third time this year.

Rising demand for copper from EVs and wider electrification. It notes that bringing new copper mines online can take several years, making it difficult for supply to catch up quickly with demand.

Possible US tariffs on copper are another factor that could encourage stockpiling and divert supplies towards the US, adding to shortages elsewhere.

WHICH PRODUCTS WILL GET MORE EXPENSIVE?

Air-conditioners are likely to see some of the biggest increases.

AC prices are set to rise by around 5-8%, while some companies have already increased prices. Daikin, for instance, had raised prices by 8-10% from September 16, according to the report.

Haier plans to increase room air-conditioner prices by around 5% from October 1. It has also indicated a 2-3% increase for products such as LED TVs and washing machines.

Super Plastronics, which sells television brands including Thomson, Kodak and Blaupunkt in India, plans to increase TV prices by around 7% after October, while appliance prices have already risen 4-5%, PTI reported.

SHOULD YOU BUY BEFORE OCTOBER 1?

If you were already planning to buy an appliance, there is a case for buying sooner rather than waiting for the festive season to begin.

A 5% increase on a Rs 50,000 appliance would mean an additional Rs 2,500. A 7% increase would mean Rs 3,500 more, while an 8% increase would add Rs 4,000.

But there is an important catch: prices will not necessarily jump across every shop on October 1.

Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive Vice President Kamal Nandi said distributors still have inventory purchased at older prices. He said existing stocks could last for around one to one-and-a-half months, meaning much of the Diwali season could still be covered by products carrying old prices.

That means consumers who wait may still find some products at current prices, particularly during festive sales. But availability of old-price inventory will depend on the brand, product and retailer.

WHY PRICES COULD RISE AGAIN AFTER DIWALI

The October 1 increase may not be the last one.

Haier's Satish told PTI that the company is looking at a cumulative price increase of around 15% between now and January — 5% from October 1, another 5% around December and a further 5% in January if input costs remain elevated.

This is particularly relevant for consumers who are planning large purchases and are considering waiting for the festive season in the hope of getting bigger discounts.

The festive season usually brings aggressive discounts on electronics and appliances, but manufacturers are themselves facing higher costs.

The report said the period from Onam through Dussehra and Diwali typically accounts for around 30-40% of appliance manufacturers' annual sales.

Manufacturers therefore have to balance higher input costs with the need to keep festive demand strong.

Some companies believe the impact on consumers could be limited because dealers have already stocked products at older prices. Others have warned that higher prices could affect festive demand.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUYERS

For someone who needs an AC, TV, refrigerator or washing machine soon, buying before October 1 could help lock in the current price before another round of increases starts.

But there is no need to rush into a purchase solely because of the October 1 deadline if the product is not urgently required. Existing inventory could keep some older prices available through part of the festive season.

The bigger point is that the industry is facing sustained cost pressures, and manufacturers are signalling that prices could move higher again if commodity and other input costs remain elevated.

So, if you have already shortlisted a product and were planning to buy it anyway, checking its current price before October 1 could make sense.

- Ends