Finding Good Deals on Scratch and Dent Appliances: A Quick Guide

How to find and evaluate deals on scratch and dent appliances

by Andrea Norris-McKnight

Finding Deals on Scratch and Dent Appliances photo

Has your oven baked its last cake? Or maybe your old dryer is costing you too much in electricity?

Replacing an appliance can be daunting, especially if you’re on a tight budget. But fear not; there’s a solution that won’t break the bank. ‘Scratch and dent’ appliances offer brand-new, top-tier models at remarkably discounted prices. This is your quick guide to finding budget-friendly scratch and dent deals and a few things to consider before buying.

What Are Scratch and Dent Appliances?

Scratch and dent appliances are new units with minor cosmetic imperfections, often sustained during transportation, handling or display as store models.

These blemishes, typically dents, scratches or packaging damage, do not affect the appliance’s functionality or performance. However, they provide an opportunity to snag premium appliances at significantly reduced costs.

How Much Can You Save on Scratch and Dent Appliances?

According to Big Sandy Superstore, a home furnishings store, scratch and dent units are often priced 10% to 50% below their regular retail value, depending on the severity and placement of the damage. The average discount is about 20%.

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Where To Find Scratch and Dent Appliances

Start by performing an online search using terms like “scratch and dent appliances,” “appliance outlet stores” or “appliance warehouse stores” combined with your city or region. You may find you have at least one major retailer or independent outlet that sells these discounted units.

Also, search the websites of Home Depot, Lowe’s or other big box stores in your area by entering “scratch and dent appliances” or “scratch and dent refrigerators” or your appliance of choice in each site’s search bar. Then, narrow the results to available options at locations near you. Best Buy has these products listed as “open box” items. Click on “Best Buy Outlet” on the Best Buy site to view available open box options.

If an internet search doesn’t provide results, call local appliance retailers about their handling of damaged or imperfect merchandise. If they don’t sell them in-store, they may direct you to a dedicated scratch and dent store where they send their units.

How To Get a Good Scratch and Dent Appliance Deal

You need to know a few things to watch for to ensure you’re getting a good scratch and dent appliance deal. Here are some practical tips to remember when shopping:

1. Determine Your Must-Have Features

Before stepping foot in a scratch and dent store, consider any must-have features or specifications you need in your new appliance. This will help you avoid impulsively purchasing a seemingly fantastic deal that may not align with your requirements.

2. Inspect Carefully and Thoroughly

You may prefer shopping online, but you should make scratch and dent purchases in-store so you can carefully inspect the visible dents, scratches or other imperfections.

Minor blemishes on the sides or back of an appliance won’t matter if they’ll be hidden once the appliance is installed. However, pay close attention to the displays and control areas. Damage in these regions could impact usability.

If you’re considering an option with damage to a front panel, make sure you can live with a visible scratch or dent. Maybe you won’t mind a small dent in the front of your dryer that guests don’t see, but you may not want a visible dent in your kitchen unless the savings are significant. Or consider how you may hide a visible blemish. Can a fridge magnet or a hanging decorative kitchen towel disguise the flaw? Also, explore cost-effective repair options like dent pullers and appliance touch-up paint if you think the deal is too good to pass up.

3. Verify Pricing and Discounts

Do your homework to ensure that the advertised “scratch and dent” price reflects a fair discount compared to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. If you’re shopping in-store, have your phone handy to look up retail prices.

Reputable scratch and dent stores typically offer savings of up to 50% off the regular price, depending on where and how significant the damage is. As mentioned, the average discount you can expect is 20%. A small dent on the side of an oven will get you a smaller discount than a large dent on the oven door. However, don’t hesitate to negotiate further discounts, especially if the appliance is an older model or has more substantial cosmetic flaws.

4. Understand Warranties and Return Policies

While most scratch and dent appliances come with standard manufacturer warranties since they are new, verify the specifics before purchasing. Also inquire about return policies or exchange options in case the appliance has a functional issue or fails to meet your expectations.

5. Ask About Delivery and Old Appliance Removal

Some scratch and dent stores may not offer delivery, installation or removal of your old appliance. Are you prepared to handle tasks such yourself? If you must rent a truck to transport the appliance or hire someone to do the installation, make sure the scratch and dent deal will still save you money. Waiting for a good sale on a non-blemished option with free delivery and installation may be the better deal.

Consider Other Alternatives

Don’t forget to consider other alternatives. Stores that rent or lease furniture and appliances often have used units available for sale. One plus is that often these appliances still have the balance of their factory warranty available. Call ahead to ask what they have.

Also, many people report good experiences buying from used appliance centers. Some even often a six month or one year warranty on their appliances.

Naturally you’ll have a better chance if you don’t need to buy the appliance today for delivery tomorrow. But, even if you do need it now, it can’t hurt to spend an hour or two looking for a scratch and dent appliance bargain. That little bit of effort could save you hundreds or allow you to buy the upgraded appliance you want.

Are Scratch and Dent Appliances Worth It?

A scratch and dent appliance can be well worth a few blemishes when you can find an option that meets your needs, especially if you don’t have the luxury of waiting for a good sale on a flawless model. Just make sure you don’t sacrifice needed features for a great deal, that you can tolerate any visible scratches or dents and you get details on delivery, installation and return options before buying.

Reviewed June 2024

About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight took over as the editor of The Dollar Stretcher and After 50 Finances after working under the site founder and previous editor for almost 15 years. She has also written for Money.com, GOBankingRates.com, HavenLife.com and The Sacramento Bee.