Whether you are renting a home without a refrigerator or you are a homeowner on a budget, buying a used refrigerator is a great way to save money. Refrigerators can easily last more than 10 years without needing any major repairs under normal operating conditions. Many times people sell their refrigerators simply because they have changed décor – not because the appliance stopped functioning properly. A typical used fridge can cost up to 95% off its original price, depending on its condition.
The very first thing you need to do is to measure the space your refrigerator will be placed. You can skip this step if you are just leaving the fridge in the garage for extra food storage and have plenty of space. Otherwise, start with the width of the opening. Place your tape measure against the end of the cabinet and stretch it until you reach the furthest point where the refrigerator can easily fit. If one end is a door with decorative molding, stop measuring where the molding begins – not all the way to the opening of the door. Next, measure the depth of your opening. Many base cabinets are 34”-36” deep and are placed within an inch of the wall. The countertop will often run to the wall and overhang the front of the cabinets by an inch or two. Measure the countertop to determine the appropriate depth for your refrigerator. Many buyers forget to measure the depth when selecting a refrigerator and are disappointed to find their new appliance juts out or is recessed several inches from the cabinets. Finally, you will need to measure the height of the refrigerator if there will be cabinets above it.
Now that you have measurements in hand, think about the kind of refrigerator you want. There are side-by-side refrigerators that have the freezer on one side (usually the left side) and the refrigerated section on the other. Some have the freezer directly above or below the refrigerated section. Do you want a water or ice machine attached? How important is energy efficiency? Once you have decided which features are appealing to you, you are finally ready to start shopping for your used refrigerator.
Buying a secondhand fridge can take a little more effort than buying a new one. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time scouring the classifieds, you can always check out a used appliance store. You are likely to find a wide selection of refrigerators available, the store likely offers a delivery service, and you are likely to get up to a 90 day warranty. The downside is that you are likely to spend more than if you buy directly from a homeowner. Most refrigerators in the classifieds are offered at between 100-$250.
If you are willing to spend some time reviewing the classifieds and don’t mind driving around to look at different refrigerators you will find the best bargains. Whether you are buying from a used appliance store or a private owner, make sure you plug the refrigerator in and make sure it runs before hauling it home. Look inside and verify all the shelves are present and intact. Look for any cracks or holes in the molded plastic interior. That kind of damage is often difficult to repair and it can diminish the refrigerator’s energy efficiency. Check for any unusual smells, too. The seal around the door should be firm when the refrigerator is closed. If there are any gaps, you may want to skip the fridge or negotiate a better sales price knowing the seal will need replacing.
A crooked door might be the result of a loose hinge. Try tightening the screws on the door hinge if the door seems to be sagging. If there isn’t an appreciable difference in the door’s appearance, don’t buy the fridge. The door frame is most likely bent from someone leaning against it when the door is opened. This is less likely to occur on side-by-side models.
Some refrigerators have their cooling coils on the back, while some have them tucked in at the bottom. Locate them and inspect them for any obvious signs of damage. Make sure they are free of debris, too. The fridge may be operating just fine, but if there is an obvious build-up of hair and dirt on the coils, the motor may have been unusually taxed. Check out dents and dings and make sure they aren’t impeding the functionality of the refrigerator.
Once you have selected your used refrigerator, make sure it makes it home safely. You may want to hire a mover to help you relocate the refrigerator from its existing home to yours. Most movers don’t cost more than $50 and they often will bring the refrigerator inside to your kitchen. If you will need to rent a truck and a dolly, it may actually be less expensive to hire the mover. It is important the refrigerator is moved properly to reduce the likelihood of in-transit damage.
Buying a used refrigerator is a great way to save money and if you choose carefully, it ought to serve you well for years.
