Savvy consumers may have already realized that one upside of the recession is that the prices on many big-ticket consumer items are being slashed.

This is good news if you’re in the market for major purchases. Here are a couple deals you should know about:

Sears’ Job Loss Refund Promise

Sears has announced a Buyer Protection Program (effective from July 6 – August 1) that basically serves as insurance against job loss. It works like this:

• To qualify for the program, a buyer must have a full-time job for at least 60 days before the purchase of the appliance.
• Any household appliance costing more than $399 and purchased on a Sears credit card, online or in-store, is eligible.
• If the purchaser involuntarily loses his job after buying the appliance, he will have 1/12 of the purchase price credited to his account for each month of unemployment.
• After 12 months of unemployment, the any remaining amount of the purchase price will be credited.

If you need a new household appliance, now is the time to buy.

Hyundai’s $1.49 Gas Guarantee

Car dealers have been among those cutting prices most significantly since the recession hit.

Hyundai is now offering a tempting deal for those in need of a new vehicle – the guarantee that you will pay no more than $1.49 per gallon for gas for a year. It works like this:

To qualify for the program, you must buy or lease a new Hyundai by August 31, 2009.

• At the time of purchase, you register your credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Visa or MasterCard check card) at a Web site designed for this purchase.
• You get an Assurance branded card from Hyundai and use it whenever you buy gasoline. Your credit card account is billed only $1.49 per gallon you buy.
• You can opt to purchase mid-grade fuel for $1.64 a gallon or premium for $1.79 a gallon.

If you’re already in the market for a car, this could sweeten the deal. But remember that car deals abound right now, so be sure to research other offers before you buy!

Just remember, even good deals cost money. And if you spend more than you make you could find yourself needing the help of a bankruptcy lawyer.

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