First clunkers, now junkers.
The US government will start offering rebates in the fall of 2009 for old appliances -- but don't think you're going to be able to upgrade your ratty coffee maker.
Instead, the government has set aside $300 million for rebates for people buying energy efficient appliances, like dishwashers, refrigerators and air conditioners. The maximum rebate is $200.
Ronald Rodenbaugh, co-owner of Rodenbaugh's Appliance store in Allen, is cautiously optimistic about the program.
"I don't think we're going to see a mad dash of people coming in to buy new appliances, but I think any incentive you can give the consumer is going to help the business," Rodenbaugh said.
Rodenbaugh expects refrigerators to be the big sellers, but just hopes the program works better than the "Cash for Clunkers" program where some dealers had to wait for the government to mail them their rebate checks.
"Independent appliance companies don't have big back pockets. We can't cash flow the rebates for the cash for clunkers on appliances. However the government does this, it needs to be an 'in consumer' rebate back to them," Rodenbaugh added.
