Buying a first washer/dryer

[Pandamonium]

I'm moving and can either pay $45/mo for a washer/dryer rental or just buy my own. With the economy as it is, I think I ought to be able to find a washer and dryer for sale for <= $600 total.

I've had pretty good luck with small-medium sized furniture on Craigslist, and I'm tempted to buy from Craigslist. The problem is that I don't have access to a vehicle capable of carrying anything that big, and we can't risk having it break down on me within 4 yrs. I wouldn't mind tinkering w/ broken appliances on the cheap. My GF, however, has made it clear to me that she would rather buy new w/ a warranty than save a few hundred dollars on a Craigslist gamble.

That leaves me thinking that the safest thing to do is to buy from a retailer. I've looked at Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, and Sam's Club. I think I can get a new basic set delivered for ~750-850 from each of these stores. But that's if I cared about them being scratch-free/dent-free/unopened/etc. I don't. Hell, if I rent a washer/dryer, they will more than likely be used, scratched, and dented. I'll gladly take floor models/scratch&dent models/etc, as long as the manufacturer's warranty applies and I can buy an extended warranty.

Does anyone have any advice for buying stuff scratch&dent? I'm in New Orleans, if it matters.

Edit: this is a purchase I'm planning to make in the next 10 calendar days.

 

[Away]

I bought a new set from Best Buy for around $600 delivered. I believe they were on sale, but if you shop around I'm sure you will find a similar deal.

 

[nakedfrog]

My free washer and dryer from craigslist have been running fine for nearly three years, and the $150 fridge I bought from a used appliance store has been running for seven years

 

[Jeff7]

Rent a U-Haul van to do the pickup. They shouldn't be expensive.
See about getting a friend to help.

My budget for a new washer and dryer right now would be <$100 for each one.
The washer in this apartment now is quite a few years older than me, but it's still (mostly) working.

 

[Jumpem]

Just go to Best Buy, Lowes, or Sears and buy whatever set you can for $500-600.

 

[wiredspider]

Look for a Sears's outlet, they sell some of them scratch and dent deals you are looking for. Or just buy a set for ~$600 at the normal stores, you would be ahead after a about a year. Find a friend with a truck or mini-van or rent one.

 

[rudeguy]

For ~$600 you will be looking at a large capacity washer and maybe extra large dryer. That is only big enough for a full sized comforter. If you have bigger bedding and don't want to make trips to the laundromat, you might want to consider that.

If you can bump up to the $800 range, you can get a decent front loader and big enough dryer so that you can wash anything you want. Keep in mind that gas is always more than electric...usually $50.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I think I ought to be able to find a washer and dryer for sale for <= $600 total.

you surely haven't looked much or are not lowering the bar enough on features.

Last holiday sale (not sure which one it was before presidents day), there were a few washers/dryers at our local Lowes and Home Depot that would have came out around $500-600. Very basic and smaller machines, but more than enough for a single dude or couple and much better than the time drain of a laundromat.

 

[Denithor]

Plus the retail shops often have scratch/dent/demo models knocked down significantly. Just ask.

 

[tallest1]

WTF people, they guy is on a budget! I bought my washer for $120 from a Scratch & Dent appliance store, my fridge for $150 from a rich family that had two fridges and only needed one. $400 per appliance is TOO MUCH!

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Plus the retail shops often have scratch/dent/demo models knocked down significantly. Just ask.

We have a scratch/dent store around here that sells nothing BUT S/D, lots of bargains to be had, I bought a dishwasher that sold @ BB for $430 for $250, small 1/4" chip on the bottom, can't even see it. Funny part is they have some that look like they got whacked by a semi, I always wondered who was buying those..

 

[LS8]

I bought a 7.0 c/f, electric, Whirlpool dryer used for $40. I found it on CR. This specific dryer retails for $500. The dryer was two years old and was in perfect condition. The owner even had the original tag from Best Buy. I found the unit on CL. I've had the unit since 2006 and it's going strong, no problems. It's big enough to fit a King-sized comforter in.

I also bought a front load, Frigidaire washer used for $75, also found on CL. This specific washer retails for $650. The washer was three years old but had a ten year factory warranty and like my dryer was in perfect condition. I haven't needed the warranty though as it has performed great with zero problems.

There are some great deals to be had on used units. Let me say this though, whatever you choose to do, buy the high end units - used or new - buy the high end units. My mother recently bought a new "matching set" washer and dryer for around $500. My word are they shit. The washer has litterally been ripping her clothes and the dryer takes FOREVER to dry anything. A pair of jeans can take two-three cycles! Don't buy the low end units!

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: LS8There are some great deals to be had on used units. Let me say this though, whatever you choose to do, buy the high end units - used or new - buy the high end units. My mother recently bought a new "matching set" washer and dryer for around $500. My word are they shit. The washer has litterally been ripping her clothes and the dryer takes FOREVER to dry anything. A pair of jeans can take two-three cycles! Don't buy the low end units!

I've had a $500 set for three years and never had a problem.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: LS8There are some great deals to be had on used units. Let me say this though, whatever you choose to do, buy the high end units - used or new - buy the high end units. My mother recently bought a new "matching set" washer and dryer for around $500. My word are they shit. The washer has litterally been ripping her clothes and the dryer takes FOREVER to dry anything. A pair of jeans can take two-three cycles! Don't buy the low end units!

I've had a $500 set for three years and never had a problem.

the pair ihave now cost us $600 and they are going on 7 years.

IF it is takeing forever to dry something then you might want to check that its setup right.

 

[LS8]

Well, that's just my experience. I have rented apartments with the cheapo units and they were terrible, my mother's units are terrible and I have a good friend who has a cheapo pair which he says is terrible. My high end units that I paid almost nothing for are great and compared to the cheapos I have used in the past I will never buy the cheapo units.

 

[iGas]

Check Craiglist or local news paper in your area for a set of used W/D for $100 or less.

New Orleans >> Craigslist >> query=washer

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: LS8
Well, that's just my experience. I have rented apartments with the cheapo units and they were terrible, my mother's units are terrible and I have a good friend who has a cheapo pair which he says is terrible. My high end units that I paid almost nothing for are great and compared to the cheapos I have used in the past I will never buy the cheapo units.

you can't compare the units in a rental place to anything. they get abused very badly.

i would have the units your mother purchased checked out. i bet there is somethign wrong with it or its not set up right. it shouldnt take 2 cycles for it to dry a pair of pants.

to say don't buy low-end units is silly. most of the time they are the same as higher end units but without a lot of the extras.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: waggy
you can't compare the units in a rental place to anything. they get abused very badly.

Yes, I can. In both places the units were brand new, as I was there when they were delivered and was the first person to use them.

Originally posted by: waggy
i would have the units your mother purchased checked out. i bet there is somethign wrong with it or its not set up right. it shouldnt take 2 cycles for it to dry a pair of pants.

They have already been replaced by the appliance store with identical units (same make/model) and perform the same. There is nothing "wrong" with them, it's just their cheap, crude and underpowered. She got what she paid for.

Originally posted by: waggy
to say don't buy low-end units is silly. most of the time they are the same as higher end units but without a lot of the extras.

Listen, that's my personal experience. If you don't want to accept it that's fine but it doesn't change anything really. I won't buy and won't recommend a person buy a low end washer or dryer - in my experience they don't do a good job, can damage your clothes and take much to long (dryer).

 

[Modelworks]

My brother owns an appliance business. His main income is that he purchases the trade ins from stores like Lowes, Sears, etc, repairs and then sells. He sells a set for $250 every day of the week. Especially now in harder times people are not buying new. The main difference between the higher end appliances and the cheaper are in the features and sometimes in the mechanics , metal vs plastic.

If your dryer takes too long to dry clothes, it is either defective or I would check the ducts.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
My brother owns an appliance business. His main income is that he purchases the trade ins from stores like Lowes, Sears, etc, repairs and then sells. He sells a set for $250 every day of the week. Especially now in harder times people are not buying new. The main difference between the higher end appliances and the cheaper are in the features and sometimes in the mechanics , metal vs plastic.

If your dryer takes too long to dry clothes, it is either defective or I would check the ducts.

Yep. Most of the time lint has built up in the back where the duct connects. That's where most dryers moisture sensor is. This is also a great place for fires to start. Check your ducts people!!!

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: waggy
you can't compare the units in a rental place to anything. they get abused very badly.

Yes, I can. In both places the units were brand new, as I was there when they were delivered and was the first person to use them.

Originally posted by: waggy
i would have the units your mother purchased checked out. i bet there is somethign wrong with it or its not set up right. it shouldnt take 2 cycles for it to dry a pair of pants.

They have already been replaced by the appliance store with identical units (same make/model) and perform the same. There is nothing "wrong" with them, it's just their cheap, crude and underpowered. She got what she paid for.

Originally posted by: waggy
to say don't buy low-end units is silly. most of the time they are the same as higher end units but without a lot of the extras.

Listen, that's my personal experience. If you don't want to accept it that's fine but it doesn't change anything really. I won't buy and won't recommend a person buy a low end washer or dryer - in my experience they don't do a good job, can damage your clothes and take much to long (dryer).

if you replaced them and they are not working something is wrong with YOUR house.

odds are the duct work is cloged or messed up and is NOT venting right. no matter what levle of product you have it will not work right if not set up right. wich it sounds like it was not done.

Also nearly every manufacture the lowest level is the SAME as the higher ones. the lower ones just do not have all the settings the higher ones have.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: waggy
you can't compare the units in a rental place to anything. they get abused very badly.

Yes, I can. In both places the units were brand new, as I was there when they were delivered and was the first person to use them.

Originally posted by: waggy
i would have the units your mother purchased checked out. i bet there is somethign wrong with it or its not set up right. it shouldnt take 2 cycles for it to dry a pair of pants.

They have already been replaced by the appliance store with identical units (same make/model) and perform the same. There is nothing "wrong" with them, it's just their cheap, crude and underpowered. She got what she paid for.

Originally posted by: waggy
to say don't buy low-end units is silly. most of the time they are the same as higher end units but without a lot of the extras.

Listen, that's my personal experience. If you don't want to accept it that's fine but it doesn't change anything really. I won't buy and won't recommend a person buy a low end washer or dryer - in my experience they don't do a good job, can damage your clothes and take much to long (dryer).

if you replaced them and they are not working something is wrong with YOUR house.

odds are the duct work is cloged or messed up and is NOT venting right. no matter what levle of product you have it will not work right if not set up right. wich it sounds like it was not done.

Also nearly every manufacture the lowest level is the SAME as the higher ones. the lower ones just do not have all the settings the higher ones have.

You just don't give up, do you?

Nope, she moved into a different house about a year later and the performance was the same. She bought low end products and they don't perform very well, period. Also, I see you have chose to ignore the fact that the low end washer's agitator has damaged her clothes - not to mention doesn't clean them very well. Hard to argue against that with "not setup right" nonsense.

Lets recap:
-I bought two high end units, several years old, used and they perform GREAT.
-I have had TWO sets of low end units in apartments which were brand new and they were JUNK.
-My mother has had two sets of low end units which were brand new and they were JUNK.
-A good friend of mine also purchased low end units and they were JUNK.
-You get what you pay for!

Nothing you can say is going to discount my personal experience. Stop trolling.

 

[dlx22]

go to bestbuy, they probably have at least 18 months no interest financing, i got 24 months when I got mine, $45x18= $810, they also deliver for free i believe so that would solve another one of your problems.

 

[tallest1]

Originally posted by: dlx22

go to bestbuy, they probably have at least 18 months no interest financing, i got 24 months when I got mine, $45x18= $810, they also deliver for free i believe so that would solve another one of your problems.

...except the budget part

 

[Pandamonium]

I drove through Mardi Gras traffic to get out to the area Lowes/HD/Sears/BestBuy here. There was very little in the way of scratch & dent/returns (only one or two in each store, and they were usually high end models discounted to $600-800 each). I'm going to keep searching craigslist this next week. I plan to buy in the next 10 days, but the absolute latest I can wait is probably March 14. We'll wash everything before the move, which should give us about 2-2.5 weeks before we absolutely need to do laundry.

The budget issue is really tricky. I will stay at this new apartment for at least 12 months, so I can either rent a set for 45x12=$540 total and live worry free, or I can buy my own now. If I stay past 12 months, I'll probably stay for 48 months. That would make buying anything better than renting.