The majority of you know by now that I (Kim) am a very thrifty shopper. Some of you may know that I also run a liquidation business. And a few others may know that my husband (Ted) and I are in the process of building a new home (after swapping houses not once, but twice). Well, the new house is going to need new appliances, so what did I do? I bought a whole truckload of scratch and dent appliances!
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What Are Scratch And Dent Appliances?
Scratch and dent appliances are brand-new or gently used appliances that have some cosmetic imperfections, such as scratches, dents, or minor blemishes. These imperfections can occur during manufacturing, shipping, handling, while the appliances are on display in a store or when being delivered or installed by a customer. Despite these cosmetic flaws, scratch and dent appliances are typically fully functional.
I actually kept quite a few of the items and was able to get all fingerprint free stainless appliances for my kitchen including the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven/stove, over-the-counter microwave and an upright freezer for my pantry. I really wanted stainless steel black, but beggars can’t be choosers. They aren’t all the same brand, but that doesn’t bother me. Do people really go into people’s kitchens and look to see if their kitchen appliances are the same brand?!
I was also able to save three sets of washers and dryers. One we put into our townhouse that we rent out to traveling nurses, and then we plan to have two sets of laundry suites in the house. One will be in the basement utility room, and the other in the laundry room on the main floor.
Scratch And Dent Appliance Sale
After I decided what I wanted to keep for the house, we planned to have a “Big Appliance Sale” to sell the remaining items. And the response was overwhelming! I had hundreds of people asking me and my friends and family if they could shop early. And the answer was always NO.
I marked all of the appliances down at least 75% off the retail prices and more if the dents or scratches were severe (like on the front of the appliance). I admit my eyesight isn’t the best so I missed some major dents on one fridge that I ended up giving my brother a heck of a deal on. He nicknamed the fridge “Lumpy” and said he works like a charm. I suggested hanging my nephew’s artwork on the front to cover the dents, but they plan to cover them with stickers (request free stickers here).
We ended up selling all the appliances within two hours of the sale except one lone Samsung gas dryer because apparently very few people use gas dryers anymore. And this gas dryer didn’t even have any scratches or dents; it had a note on it saying “customer refused”, so it was brand spanking new.
We offered a “7 Day Money Back Guarantee” on all appliances since we weren’t able to test them all to make sure they properly worked. We only had one washing machine returned, and the guy told us what needed fixed on it.
The sale went over so well and people were begging for more, so I did more research and was able to find an even better Lowe’s liquidation appliance load – it was less expensive than the first and closer in proximity to save on freight, and when we saw it, it was much better looking, too!
Here was what I posted on Facebook with the photo above when the next load of appliances arrived:
Our appliances came in early, and these are some nice looking refrigerators – way nicer than our last load! These are all name brands including Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, Hisense, Bosch, LG, Frigidaire, Maytag, Samsung, GE, etc. Lowe’s says these are “scratch and dent” but we have not seen one scratch or dent yet besides a couple bent electrical cords that we will fix. At the last appliance sale, my brother ended up taking home “Lumpy” which he nicknamed his new fridge as no one else wanted him, but he works like a charm (and kids’ artwork covers the dents just fine). But so far, there are no “lumpies” in this load! Stay tuned as we will be announcing the sale date for these soon. And sorry, no early sales! Even my brother knows better than to ask.
And again “the crowd went crazy” asking to shop early as well as wanting measurements, prices, etc. So I posted again trying to be more price specific, and told people they can bring tape measures, but no one can shop early!
Many people have been asking what the prices of the appliances will be, so here’s a couple of the refrigerators that we have multiples of plus some numbers to crunch on:
Retail Prices (from Lowe’s) range from $664 – $4899 (average $1791)
Our Prices range from $200 – $1960 (average $723)
The majority of the 46 appliances we will have available are refrigerators, and we have all sizes and brands – most are fingerprint resistant stainless steel, but we also have white, black, and stainless steel black. We only have one upfront freezer and some washers and dryers. We do not have any stoves or dishwashers available this time, sorry. These are considered “scratch & dent” by the manufacturer, but we’ve only found a couple small dents and scratches – most items are brand new and flawless.
Again, we sold out of everything in one day – we even sold the lone gas dryer! Plus this time, on top of the 7-day money back guarantee, we partnered with Appliance EMT to offer a 90-day warranty if anything should go wrong within 90 days of purchase. Again, we only had one washing machine returned (the appliance repairman said it would cost more to repair than refund their money).
Liquidation Scratch And Dent Appliance Stores
Enough about me and my sales, you want to know where to get your own great deal on liquidation appliances, right?! Well if you’ve been searching for “scratch and dent appliances stores near me” or “liquidation appliances near me”, you’re at the right place!
Search for a liquidation store or bin store near you. Please note that these stores may also carry liquidation items from other retail sources such as Costco liquidation, Sam’s Club liquidation, Target salvage, Walmart liquidation, &/or Amazon liquidation. You can search by state, city, or name of the store. Click on the store name for a link to their website or Facebook page for hours and specials. If you do not see any appliances for sale at destination, ask the manager as most liquidation stores like to accommodate their customers.
We now have an interactive map of liquidation stores. Click here to see and simply click on each state to see liquidation stores and bin stores in each state.
You can also sometimes find scratch and dent appliances at the retail stores themselves. Look for a clearance section at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards or ask a manager at those locations.
Scratch and Dent Appliance Overview
Here are some key points to understand about scratch and dent appliances:
- Cosmetic Imperfections: The most common imperfections found on scratch and dent appliances are minor scratches on the exterior surfaces, dents on the sides or panels, or small blemishes. These flaws are usually superficial and do not affect the appliance’s performance.
- Savings: One of the primary reasons people consider purchasing scratch and dent appliances is the potential cost savings. These appliances are usually sold at a significant discount compared to their brand-new, pristine counterparts. This can make them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. If you can overlook or repair minor cosmetic issues, you can often get a high-quality appliance at a fraction of the cost.
- Fully Functional: Despite their cosmetic flaws, scratch and dent appliances should function just as well as new appliances. They usually undergo quality checks to ensure that all internal components and features are in working order.
- Warranty: Some scratch and dent appliances come with warranties, although the warranty coverage may vary depending on the retailer and the specific appliance. It’s essential to inquire about the warranty terms before purchasing.
- Availability: The availability of scratch and dent appliances can vary depending on the retailer and location. Some stores have dedicated sections or clearance areas for these appliances, while others may sell them online or through special promotions.
- Limited Selection: While you can find various types of appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and more in scratch and dent condition, the selection may be more limited compared to new appliances. Specific brands, models, and features may not always be available in scratch and dent form.
- Inspection: If you’re considering purchasing a scratch and dent appliance, it’s a good idea to inspect it thoroughly before making a decision. Check for any functional issues, and ensure that you can live with the cosmetic imperfections.
Overall, scratch and dent appliances can be a cost-effective way to acquire high-quality appliances if you are willing to overlook or accept minor cosmetic flaws. However, it’s essential to do your due diligence, including checking warranty coverage and thoroughly inspecting the appliance, to ensure that it meets your needs and expectations.
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