How to buy used appliances without getting ripped off
If you’re shopping for a refrigerator, dishwasher or other big appliance, finding a used product could be the best way to snag a deal.
Used appliances, says Jim Nanni, associate director of product testing at Consumer Reports, “are often sold at a significant discount, and some are in pretty good or great condition.”
Another reason to consider going used: Prices for new major household appliances rose 3.4 percent from December 2022 to December 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ producer price index. A new refrigerator alone can run anywhere from $500 to upward of $5,000, according to Consumer Reports.
A used version typically costs a fraction of that. Still, shoppers should proceed with caution, says Robert Pearson, owner of AAA Appliances in Chantilly, Va. “An appliance can look fantastic, but looks can be deceiving,” he says. “A great-looking used appliance can be a total lemon.”
Follow this advice to avoid getting stuck with one of those.
RESEARCH A SHOP’S REPUTATION
“Reputation is everything in this business,” Pearson says. When scouting options at used appliance stores, reading customer reviews is a must. But you can go a step further by checking whether the company has any complaints filed against it with the Better Business Bureau, Nanni says.
One sign of a reliable retailer: “If a store sells a customer a bad used appliance, the store should make it right and either refund the customer, repair the appliance by installing a new part or provide the customer with a different used appliance that fits their needs,” Pearson says. Whether a company follows this policy is “often something you can see in an owner’s response to a customer’s review online.”
EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN BUYING FROM INDIVIDUALS
Shopping around on a site such as Facebook Marketplace, ebay or Craigslist can expand your options, but buying a used appliance from an individual carries some inherent risk. One basic but smart way to minimize your exposure: Try before you buy.
“You don’t want to buy an appliance that’s already been unplugged,” Pearson says. “A lot of sellers on Facebook Marketplace are selling used appliances that have already been uninstalled. You want to be able to test it to make sure it works before you purchase it.”
Also, find out whether the appliance has an active warranty or a protection plan; if it does, make sure the warranty stays valid after a transfer of ownership. You can do this by checking the manufacturer or original retailer’s policy. For example, a Lowe’s Protection Plus plan remains intact when a customer sells an appliance to another consumer; so does a Geek Squad Protection Plan from Best Buy.
RESEARCH THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE APPLIANCE
Factoring in how much longer the appliance is expected to last is key. “If the appliance is eight years old and the life expectancy is 10 years, you may not be getting a fair deal,” says Jill Notini, a vice president and industry spokesperson at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group.
Here are the average life expectancies for several home appliances according to the group’s latest data:
● Gas range:14.2 years
● Electric range: 11.6 years
● Top-freezer refrigerator: 14 years
● Side-by-side refrigerator: 11.1 years
● Dishwasher: 12 years
● Dryer: 13.4 years
● Top-load washer: 11.2 years
● Front-load washer: 9.1 years
FIND OUT IF REPAIRS WERE MADE
Some used appliance stores sell refurbished products that have been repaired. If you’re considering buying one of these, ask what kind of parts were used. Were they new or used parts? Were the parts original equipment by the manufacturer (OEM) or generic? (The former is typically better.)
When sizing up a repaired appliance from an individual, “ask the seller to provide a receipt showing proof of the repairs,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
GIVE IT A CLOSE INSPECTION
A used appliance may appear to be in good condition at first glance, but give it a closer inspection by checking for damage or rust around knobs, switches and cords, Nanni says. And do a sniff test when checking out a washing machine - a musty odor could be a sign of mold.
CHECK FOR RECALLS
Get the model number to see whether the product has been recalled before you buy it. If there was a recall, consider the nature of the problem and whether there’s an easy fix - was it a major safety issue or a minor patch? You can often find this information using the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall search tool or by contacting the manufacturer directly.
Also, investigate whether the particular model that you’re eyeing has been discontinued. “It might be harder to repair in the future if there’s a shortage of parts,” Papantoniou says.