Should You Buy Refurbished Kitchen Appliances? We Asked an Expert.

Julie Tremaine

There are two ways to save money on big purchases like kitchen appliances and home improvement tools: you can wait and wait for the best sales, and then fight your way through the crowds to shop them; or you can buy certified refurbished merchandise for significant discounts. The best part? These refurbished products look, feel and function like they’re brand new.

In the same way that you can return clothes that don’t fit quite right when you get home, you can return appliances and tools too. Those barely-used items go back to the store or manufacturer, but because they have been used or got a ding or two in the delivery and return process, can’t be sold as “new” anymore. What happens next? They get refurbished and resold.

“People could go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and look at a basic range for anything from $600 to $1000, or they could get something refurbished that’s similar but in a higher-end brand or better version for the same price,” says Ian Hawkins of Kitchen Guys, which has been selling new and refurbished appliances in Providence, R.I. for 25 years. The store refurbishes appliances that are high-end and professional models through a careful vetting and repair process with its own certified technicians, then sells them online across the country for significantly less than retail. What you end up getting is high quality without the high ticket price that generally comes with it.

When you purchase a refurbished appliance from a trusted seller like eBay or Sears Outlet, you’re getting an item that has been used and then returned within the short return window. It’s repaired and certified to ensure it’s functioning like new, and sold at a significant discount. Sometimes, those items haven’t been used – they were just returned in opened packaging and so can’t be sold as “new” anymore, even if they are indeed new.

Family Handyman recommends looking for floor models, which are often sold at refurb prices, even though they’re unused. Their other pro tips: check the warranties to make sure you’re well protected, shop around for the best price and watch out for hidden delivery fees.

In addition to knowing you’re purchasing something high quality through a manufacturer or certified reseller, you also have peace of mind knowing that sites like Overstock and Crutchfield guarantee your money back if issues arise.