Purchasing Used Appliances: Is It Worth The Investment?
Purchasing new appliances comes with a high price tag and a lot of money upfront. Selecting used appliances comes with the risk of malfunction. Before making a purchase that will save you some money, consider if it is worth the cost. There are four factors that go into your used appliance purchase. From the age of the appliance to possible appliance repair, browse through this checklist before making any used appliance purchases.
Appliance Manufacturing Date
The lifespan of an appliance should have an impact on your purchase. If you're purchasing an appliance that is well past its intended lifespan, then you are taking a risk on that appliance breaking down. For example, a dryer has an average lifespan of 14 years while a dishwasher only has a lifespan of around 10 years. Purchasing one of these appliances near the end of the lifespan means that you're risking a possible breakdown.
A lot of appliances do not have the year printed directly on them. Finding the actual year of manufacturing means that you have to carefully read the label and serial numbers. For example, some appliance companies indicate the with the first two digits on the serial number.
Appliances Sold "As-Is"
One of the best ways to get an appliance bargain is when the appliances are sold "As-Is." There is usually something wrong with the appliance, allowing you to purchase it well below the retail price. When this is the case, it may be worth purchasing no matter what the problem is. A lot of used appliances are given away in the "as-is" condition. As you browse through sales and forums, look for curbside sales where appliances are simply left out and free for the taking.
Once you have the appliance, an appliance repair specialist can come to examine it and give you an estimate on repair costs. Even after paying for the repairs, it could still be cheaper than a full retail price. This process includes plugging in the appliance and checking the different operating functions. For example, a repair technician may check all of the cycles of a dishwasher. The repairs will also ensure that every aspect of the dishwasher work correctly. A repair technician also has the ability to recognize things that may become a problem further down the line while other people typically cannot.
Appliance Delivery
When purchasing used appliances, you have to consider ways to get it delivered to your home. This is another cost factor that can impact the whole purchase price. If you own a truck or large van, then the process is simple. It's also a good idea to borrow a truck from a friend so you do not have to rent one. This will cut down on any delivery costs and allow you to save extra money on the used appliance purchase.
Another alternative to expense deliveries are hourly truck rentals from hardware stores. This allows you to cheaply rent a truck and complete the labor yourself so you do not have to pay for the full shipping and handling charges.
Appliance Part Upgrades
Specific appliances have a number of key parts that are known to break down or malfunction. For example, on ranges, the burning coil or temperature sensor can break down and cause malfunctions. Instead of using the old parts, you can easily have things upgraded before you use the appliance. Repair technicians can install new stove parts, or parts for a number of other appliances.
A technician can even install the appliance for you, so it's installed correctly and operates as needed.
It's always a good idea to call repair technicians with any questions or concerns you have. Their expert opinion can help you make a great purchase on used appliances.
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