It would be pretty impossible. Sure, way back before these things were invented, people had other means of cooling their food and cooking it as well. They didn't even know what a microwave or a dishwasher was.
People have gotten so accustomed to the convenience of the appliances that they use everyday that most couldn't imagine living without them. They don't know how to react when storms cause the power to go out for days at a time. This is why buying home appliances is a popular, billion-dollar industry.
Manufacturers are always creating appliances that work even better than before. Super energy efficient models of every appliance out there use less energy, and therefore enable the customers to save money. People are willing to pay more for these particular appliances, because in the long run, they're actually saving a lot more money than they're spending.
With the technological advances of today's appliances, people are obviously drawn to these products, yet they don't want to pay astronomical prices. They don't have to, either. With all the competition out there, retailers are always marking down the prices on certain appliances in order to get them to sell. Then there's always the internet. Some people have given up the traditional ways of shopping, and choose to do all of their shopping online. They love the convenience, and the ability to find any item that they desire. They also like the fact that they don't have to worry about driving through heavy traffic, standing in long lines, etc. Plus, there are some great deals on retailer's websites. Some even offer the convenience of coupons, right on the websites. So, since appliances are so important and we must buy them, we may as well pay as little for them as possible, by shopping online to get some great deals.