New or used?
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
November 6, 2011 1:02pm CST
My dryer recently started making rumbling noises and turned itself off in the middle of a load of wash. I unloaded it, tried restarting it, and it started to rumble again.
Oh well, I had had it for 7 years and I had bought it used; so, time to find a replacement after I finished drying my wet clothing outside.
I went through the local ads, checked prices online for major appliance store, and listened to stories from people at work about their experiences with both new and used washers and dryers.
I have owned both new and used appliances in the past and I did have the money for a new dryer if Iwanted to buy a new one.
But, I decided to buy a used one from my local Maytag dealer. Why?
1) Same day delivery and pick up of the old dryer for just $30 (I live 17 miles from the store and other stores wanted to charge a minimum of $50 and some would not take away the old dryer).
2) The cost was only $139 for a dryer that had been "serviced and reconditioned"; instead of more than $479 for a new dryer. The $139 dryer that I got was just perfect for me - heavy duty, big drop down door, plenty of options for temp and time selection. The $479 new dryer had a very small door and it was not heavy duty; so, it would have cost a lot more to get one that did what I wanted.
3) My old dryer will not end up in a landfill somewhere. The company that I bought my dryer from not only picks up old appliances it recycles them. My old dryer will either be repaired and sold to a new home; or, it will be broken down into parts and act as an "organ donor" for some other dryer.
What about you? Do you only buy new appliances or do you buy used ones? Why?
6 people like this
13 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Maytags and Kenmores make the best washers and dryers. I have a new Kenmore, only because a friend bought it for us, but my dryer is a used Maytag and I got it from a neighbor who had just bought a new one. I offered to pay her, but she turned me down, she said she was just going to have the delivery guys take it anyway.
As for purchasing new or used, I would get it used mostly because I can't afford new. I think the more important thing is the brand name too..
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
The one I got was a Kenmore and you may not know this; but, Whirlpool makes the Kenmore washers and dryers.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Nov 11
Yes, I heard that, but I have never owned a Whirlpool before, so I am sure it is also a great appliance..
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
The one that quit on me was a Whirlpool. It was used when I bought it 7 years ago and needed no repairs until now. I have no idea how old it was when I got it.
2 people like this
@jjzone44 (917)
• United States
7 Nov 11
When my dryer failed last year, I checked on-line to see what prices were, and then I went to the local electronics/appliance store and was able to get the exact model I wanted in an "open box" condition. It was never delivered anywhere besides the store, and was obviously never put into service. It was not the floor model; they explained that most of these open box units are ones that a customer orders to be shipped to the store, and they look at it and decide they want a different model. So they discount them to move. I don't know how accurate that story was, but I got basically a new item at a discount.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
Around here those are sold as a "scrath and dent" sale - they may or may not have any blemishes, depending on the circumstances. I did look at some of them; but, they did not have the features I wanted and the discount was not enough to offset that.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
You definately did get lucky. Around here they take ones like that and include them with the scratch and dent items and they may be available at any time. They have a once a year sale for their floor models (if they haven't already sold them before the new models come out). But, I've noticed I never need a new appliance when they are getting rid of the floor models - just bad timing I guess.
@jjzone44 (917)
• United States
8 Nov 11
We have the scratch-and-dent items as well, but this was not one of them. I just happened to get lucky, the exact model I wanted was there in a box, with the top cut off. The shipping straps were still intact, and the vinyl pressure appliques were still on the control panel of the appliance. They had that one, and I believe 2 or 3 other dryers on the sales floor like that (in boxes that had the tops removed). The other models had more features than I needed, and of course cost more.
@00fear (3216)
• United States
7 Nov 11
We buy new appliances. Well I am not the decision of the household my dad is but he usually talks to us whenever he wants to buy something because it might be cheaper used or better new ones. Whenever he does asks us for our opinion, my brothers always finds a great deal on what he's looking for new. So we always get new appliances. The only thing used that we ever get is when we want to add stuff into our garage, like couches, TVs, etc.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I have bought appliances brand new and used over the years. Lately, I have been buying used for several reasons (even though I can afford new right now).
1) The dryer we replaced was used when we got it 7 years ago. It cost approx $150 including delivery - so I figure the cost of using the dryer is a little more than $20 per year with zero repairs needed until now. The least expensive new dryer that was on sale was $479 - to equal even $25 per year it would need to work for 19 years without any repairs (and, this does not include the extra money for taxes and delivery - at least another 3 years for those).
2) The dryer has all of the features that I wanted. The one on sale did not; so, I would have had to either pay more or settle for something I would not really be happy with.
3) Greener - repair, recycle, reuse. I am "reusing" a dryer that was "repaired" and my old dryer will either be "repaired and reused" or "recycled". And, it is all done locally (unless it is recycled). New involves manufacture (many times overseas), shipping, mining the metals, new plastic and rubber parts (these come from petroleum/oil), and you have no idea whether the manufacturer is environmentally responsible or not.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
26 Mar 12
The last washer and dryer I bought were used and they did give me problems. At least I was able to do laundry without having to go to a laundromat since I didn't have a reliable vehicle and the nearest one was over 3 miles away. I have never been in a position where I could buy new appliances and the place I live now have them included so I don't have to worry about it.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
26 Mar 12
Did you get them from a dealer or from an individual? Dealers normally refurbish them before they sell them; but, individuals sell them because they are already having problems with them. When you buy a used appliance you are usually buying the problems they did not want to deal with - the exceptions are estate sale and moving sales.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
26 Mar 12
The last ones I bought were from an individual. I could never get the dryer plugged in because I had the wrong type of outlet, but the washer worked fine. I got the set for maybe $40 so I can't complain about the problems. I couldn't afford to pay the prices that dealers wanted even for a used machine.
@telmesh (1793)
•
6 Nov 11
Did you consider having it repaired it might be the cheapest option. Although it is getting on for a dryer and you have had fantastic service, sounds like it had a good service before you bought it
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
No.
I bought the dryer used 7 uears ago for about $150 (including delivery) - that is only a little more than $20 per year. During that time I had no problems; but, once one thing starts to wear out other things will start to go too.
Also, I didn't want to wait and have to pay for the service call in addition to parts and labor. (Since it is an older unit, parts would probably have to be ordered and that can take a while.)
1 person likes this
@telmesh (1793)
•
9 Nov 11
See what your saying and I can't disagree as you've already had better service than I would have expected in Britain.
After all my new dishwasher didn't last 9 months before the repair man was called after the machine was pumping all night and getting nowhere. The repair was free of course but it was a design fault, you would think they would know how to make them by now.
If you can repeat the value again I would expect you would go for a used model.
@joni1215 (394)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I have done both. And if one is careful like
you are being there is nothing wrong with used
appliances. I am told that now they are setting
appliances, tvs, computers etc.. to go out in a
certain length of time. Whether or not that is
true I have no idea. Could be just a big conspiracy
theory. Good luck..
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
9 Nov 11
[/b]That is already being done with some vehicles - some are set to have the check engine light come on at specific mileages - even if nothing is wrong with them. Then, you take the vehicle in to the dealer and get it checked out and most of the time all he does is reset it (occasionally something will actually need fixing). But, the dealer [b]always charges you for "servicing your vehicle".
An easy way to tell if this is what happend is when the light comes on - check your odometer. If it is right at an even number of miles 50,000 or 90,000 or something like that; there is probably nothing wrong with the vehicle and you do not need to rush in and get it checked; especially if your vehicle is still driving well and there is no change in the sound of the engine. You can take your time and take it in when you would normally get it services or take it to a mechanic that knows how to reset it. You really should get it done; because, with it constantly on you can no longer rely on it for telling you when there is a problem developing.
If this is also true of appliances; I am quite certain that they have it timed to go out after the warranty expires.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
14 Nov 11
I have had only one set of new washer/dryer in my life. We happen to know a guy for years and years that repaired them and resold them. We'd always go to him and get great deals. When we moved and needed to get rid of ours, we called him, he gave fair price to buy them and still make profit...as they weren't broke, we just were moving and couldn't store them. But just cause they are used, don't mean they aren't as good a new. In something like a washer and dryer...they are metal That can't be "worn out". Knobs can be replaced, lines can be replaced. But basically they are the best things to buy used and have same as new. And just looking at the prices of new...I can't see how anyone can afford a new set! $1500 for a set for the cheapest!
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
14 Nov 11
Well, on sale I did see a set that was a little less than $1000 brand new and the dryer was a little less than $500. In th epast I have bought both old and new appliances depending on finances, circustances, features, etc.
As long as the machines have been properly serviced by someone reputable, I have nothing against buying used appliances. Right now the only appliances that I have that I bought new are my washer and my microwave; everything else was either bought used or it was already in the house when we bought it.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
7 Nov 11
I only tend to buy new appliances, because I have to wonder what must have been wrong with the used things to make people want to get rid of them in the first place. I'm not like this with all things though. I often buy things like books that have already been used. I also like to buy second hand clothes as well, because second hand things can often look just as good on me as things that have never been worn by anybody else. You have to weigh up the positives and negatives of what you can get out of a used item, and then think about whether you might be better off buying your own or not.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
It also depends on the source of the 2nd-hand item. I would not buy a major appliance forma an individual for the same reason you gave - "what must have been wrong with the used things to make people want to get rid of them in the first place".
But, I will buy them from a store where I know that a professional has cleaned, repaired, and refurbished them. I know that any problems that the appliance had have been corrected and it is ready to go; plus, most places like this do give at least a 30 day warranty - the place where I got mine gives a 60 day warranty on parts and labor.
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
7 Nov 11
I think that you got an amazing deal on your used appliance. I have only bought used ones as I can not afford new ones. Mine have worked out pretty good for many years now and I hope that they work for many more. I like the idea that they recycle your old appliances. Then people that can not buy new can buy good ones at a discount price.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
They actually had some there that were less than what I paid; but, this one had features that I liked more.
I also like the fact that they repair and resell them when they can. Basically, they get my old one for free (just for taking it away); so, they can put some money into the repairs and resell it to someone else that needs one.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
8 Nov 11
Depends on what my money situation is at the time. Of course used does not always necessarily mean bad and thus the older models might be a bit more long lasting than the older models. On the other hand, when you use a used model, you could potentially in many ways be getting what you paid for, when you get that nice and better deal.
I think that there are times where I do buy used appliances due to the fact that I can't afford a new one. However, I do save for a new one eventually. Of course it does depend on the appliance a lot of the time and if it's not that steep of a different in price you might as well go for the new one. There are just any number of factors to consider.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I agree there are a lot of factors to consider. One is the type of appliance and another is where/who you are buying it from.
I would not buy a used appliance from an individual; but, I will buy from a store that sells both new and used appliances and also services the appliances. If they are qualified to come to my home and repair an appliance; they are qualified to repair and refurbish one in their own warehouse. They also (usually) will guarantee their work - this company gives a 60 warranty on parts and labor.
@umabharti (3972)
• India
7 Nov 11
we have a washing machine ,it is under repair,we dont use it now ,it was purchased some years back ,used it well for some years of time.It is only washer and no dryer to it.Now we do it with a hand wash .We are seeing for a repair of it or replace it.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I hope you will be able to get it repaired or replaced soon. When I was young and living in Turkey for a year, I had an apartment with no ascess to a washer and/or dryer. So, I had to wash clothes in the bathtub and hang them on the patio to dry.
I definately prefer the washer and dryer - they save a lot of time and hard work.
@TruemanTheOne (34)
• Pakistan
7 Nov 11
there is absolutely no harm if you get some good bargain for used stuff. i have purchased a couple of used stuff for my home and they are working perfectly alright and the best part is that i got them at almost half of the new price. Even sold many of my stuff on forums and honestly speaking got a good price for them.
i would certainly first prefer to look for used good condition stuff before opting to buy new.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
To be honest, I would not buy a used major appliance on craigslist, ebay, or even from an individual. You have no way of really knowing what condition they are in or how clean they are.
I will, however, buy used appliances from stores or repair shops where I know a professional has thouroughly cleaned them and checked them out. Then, I know that they are in good shape and they ususally do give a 30 - 90 day warranty; just in case. The store where I got this dryer gives a 60 day warranty on parts and labor.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
7 Nov 11
I don't care about buying second hand stuff/machines but it depends on the kind of machine. Broadtoaster, coffee machine, things like that no problem. A would never buy a washing machine or fridge second hand. These machines are used way too much and to repair them it will cost a lot also they are not much more expensive as a cheap new one and on that I will have guarantee.
A dirty 2nd hand fridge is full of bacteries and even after cleaning it well you still can get seriously sick from it. A secondhand stove I would only buy if it's clean also the oven since I don't like to smell all the burned stuff in my house as soon as I heat it.
If you buy something new here (electric stuff) you have to pay extra for recycling. With that you also have the right to take it back to the shop if it's not working anymore. Or if the shop is delivering you a new vacuum cleaner or fridge or dryer they have to take the old one with them for free. Since you already payed extra for that at the moment you bought it.
It doesn't matter if the shop is recycling it but they have the duty to bring it to a place where it will be "thrown away" in a way that is not harming nature.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I would never buy a bread toaster second hand - they are inexpensive to begin with and I would not trust it to be really clean.
Refrigerators (if cleaned and repaired by a professiona are jsut as safe as a new one.
A stove - I have never had to buy one - new or used. They have always come with the house/apartment,even when I was renting. I will probably have to buy one someday since the one I have right now was 5 years old when we bought the house and we have been here for 16 more years (so it is now 21 years old and still working fine). So, I will have to make up my mind about that when I have to replace it.
Around here, the stores that do not recycle just take them to the local landfill.
