A Smart Shopper’s Guide To Buying Second-Hand Appliances


Buying second-hand home appliances makes a whole lot of financial sense, especially if you’re dealing with budget constraints. However, when considering a used appliance, you might worry about its quality, durability, and authenticity.

If you choose carefully though, you might just take home an appliance that’s as good as new!

Here’s a list of things that you should keep in mind when buying second-hand. Every type of appliance comes with its own set of considerations.

When Buying A Refrigerator

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1. Sealing: The sealer is the rubber strip that’s attached to the refrigerator’s door. Owing to the daily wear and tear, sealers in a second-hand fridge are extremely likely to become loose. 

2. Lights And Temperature: Open and close the refrigerator’s door multiple times to ensure that the interior light works properly. To check for the cooling ability, place an ice-tray filled with water inside the freezer. Run the fridge for about 30 minutes, and check if the water has turned to ice. If it has, the laws of nature are still intact and you’re good to go.

Don’t forget to check the energy efficiency of the fridge as well. A refrigerator that’s been used for more than 5 years will consume 33% more electricity than a new appliance. If the fridge that you’re buying is more than 5 years old, bring an electrician along to make sure that it’s not going to burn a hole in your pocket.

When Buying A Washing Machine

1. Capacity: You don’t want to buy a washing machine to use in a household of 5 people only to find out that you’ll need to divide the laundry loads into 5 separate piles to get it all done. The washing machine you buy should suit the size of your loads. Commonly, the load intake of washing machines ranges from 3-10 kg.

2. Motor: Ask the seller to demonstrate the working of the motor by turning on the machine and running it for a while. If you hear screeching noises from the machine while it spins, don’t buy.

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3. Drum: Ensure that the drum hasn’t collected rust at the bottom. This part is one of the most important components in a washing machine, besides the motor. If you find the drum rusty or otherwise damaged, ask the seller to replace it with a new one.

If you’re planning on buying a fully-automatic washing machine, test model-specific features like hot air and hot water before you make the purchase.

When Buying An Air Conditioner

1. Test Over Time: Keep the air conditioner turned on for an hour to check its cooling capacity. Also check the interiors of the unit; make sure these aren’t burnt or rusted – for obvious reasons.

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2. Break Out The Tape Measure: The air conditioner you’re buying should have enough cooling power to sufficiently cool the entire room it’s installed in.

3. Ask For The Warranty Card: Check if the air conditioner you’re buying is under the serviceable warranty period. Also, don’t forget to ask the seller to provide you with the original purchase documents. This will help you get in touch with the manufacturer when the AC requires repairs.

Following these steps will help you zero in on quality second-hand product. Before you actually make your purchase, check the internet for average market prices of comparable products. Choose the one that suits both your needs and your budget.

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