Seems like some Marylanders were pretty anxious to make appliance purchases this morning, now that the Maryland Cash for Appliances program is open for business. Super energy-efficient clothes washers and refrigerators as well as electric heat pump water heaters are eligible for cash back, starting today.
An average of 10 to 12 customers were waiting when the doors opened at 6 a.m. at eight Sears stores in Baltimore, Howard and Montgomery counties, said Larry Trotter, the department store's Baltimore area regional manager. Maryland stores opened four hours early for the kick-off of the program.
"And we've seen a steady stream of traffic throughout the morning," he said. "Business is really starting to pick up."
He said that the most popular items have been ... ... the laundry pair (washer and dryer) even though only the clothes washers are eligible for the rebate.
Sears staff arrived at stores at 5:30 a.m. to review the rebate program and other promotions and to set up their stimulus concierge to help customers fill out the rebate forms, Trotter said. They also greeted customers with coffee and doughnuts to reward them for coming out despite the fog this morning.
“We just made sure the game plan was in place,” he said.