Sometimes it is not in the budget at the moment when it is time to buy a new appliance. One option to avoid going into debt, is to buy a previously owned appliance or a scratch and dent appliance. It is possible to get a fully functioning used appliance for much less than a brand new one. There are some very important guidelines to follow to avoid buying a non-functioning used appliance.

Best way to buy a used Appliance

Buying Used Appliances from individuals

Facebook Market Place, Craig’s List, Let Go and Next-door are all great ways to find a lot of used things. Appliances being one of those things. In my experience, sites like this are the riskiest options when looking for used appliances. Most of the time you are relying on the seller to be completely honest about the functionality of the appliance they are selling.

I recently had a customer call me to look at a used dryer they bought. The felt seal had been ripped and the dryer had continued being used for quite some time. My customers complaint was a metal on metal sound when the used dryer was running. I took the dryer apart and found that the drum had rubbed on the front support for so long it thinned the metal to the point it had to be replaced. The person who sold it to them didn’t know that the cost of that repair was more than they sold the used dryer for. So my customer bought the used dryer for $200. The cost to repair was going to be $300. For $500 you can buy a new dryer. After showing them some used appliance retailer websites near by, they decided to cut their losses and buy another used dryer. This time from a used appliance retailer.

The only time I would consider buying a previously owned appliance from an individual is if the price was so low that even if it didn’t work I wasn’t out much money. $50 for a major brand used appliance is hard to pass up and won’t break the bank if it doesn’t work out.

Buying from a Used Appliance Retailer

In my experience, buying from a used appliance retailer is the best way to ensure you get a functioning used appliance. There are some stores that deal in new and previously owned appliances. There are some appliance repair companies that also sell used appliances. Most of these types of retailers will offer a short term warranty, anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. That way if something does go wrong that company will come out and either make the repair for little to no cost or swap the used appliance out with another one. Buying from a used appliance retailer limits the odds of wasting money on a used appliance that doesn’t work properly.

Some new appliance retailers sell new appliances that have some cosmetic damage for a discount. They call these scratch and dent appliances. You can find really good deals on brand new appliances at a scratch and dent appliance sale. The only problem is that the selection is not great. You may really have to search for weeks to find what you are looking for. Sometimes the stars align and you find one that suits your needs. I wish you the best of luck and hope this information was helpful.

Click HERE to find a used appliance store near you