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Updated over 10 years ago, 04/26/2014
Appliances in rentals
Where do you usually shop for appliances to get the best deals? I was just at Sears Outlet, not bad, haven't tried the used appliance stores yet. For washers and dryers I have had good luck buying cheap from CL, but for refrigerator/oven/dishwasher I don't feel comfortable going with CL so looking for different options. The title of this post is not good, tried to change it but can't!
Thanks!
@Roy Gutierrez ...You can also get a nice discount at Lowes for scratch and dent..I don't provide appliances in lower end anymore..Most tenants bring their own..
Bless your hart Rolanda, you made your life easier! One of them I was considering no washer/dryer but I already put my foot in my mouth! Maybe I'm unlucky I've have yet to see an appliance discounted b/c of a dent/scratch at lowes/HD, I know they have them from time to time but they seem to hide them when I'm there!
Sears outlet sucks. I don't even think it's owned by sears. Price is just as bad as new units.
I buy pretty much from home depot. Free delivery. Don't be cheap and try to save a few bucks by getting it from CL
I also buy from either Home Depot or Lowes. I just did a black four-piece kitchen for just at $1,500, which included tax and all of the accessories that must be purchased with the appliance for Lowes to install it. I briefly considered the many used appliance dealers, but decided the couple of hundred dollars I would have saved wasn't worth the risk of them not working in 30 days.
the sears outlet here is decent. I agree with @George P. I dont even attempt CL anymore for appliances. By the time I figured time and mileage it wasnt worth it to me.
George, hard not to be cheap when no more money to spend! I would only buy washer/dryer from CL, bought for myself and my rental until, $400 total for 4 and all work like a charm for 2 years so far. I'll use the money I saved from that to buy a nice new refrigerator/range instead, a CL washer/dryer could go in the first month but for that price definitely worth taking the chance. But I think you're right, I'm cheap, I was just in Sears Outlet and I tried to get free shipping and walked out b/c I didn't get it lol, at least now I can comparison shop!
Does anyone use a maintenance plan? around here you pay from 10/25 dollars a month to cover appliances/furnace/ac, etc
Thanks for the advice!
Roy- do not go to any of the above mentioned places. In nyc/nj where i have done most of my work, developers/contractors go to specialized dealers who will give you the best discounts. In trendy upcoming areas appliances like Amana rule the market. Lowes/Home Depot do not offer these and on purpose. At the end of the day you have to provide what sells/rents for certain prices in your farm area. I would recommend talking to plumbers to ask where they buy appliances cause they have led me to niche specialty stores that are 15-20% cheaper.
Originally posted by @Roy Gutierrez:
Thanks!
Hi Roy, I am fortunate that I have an appliance place that sells used appliances inexpensively. He buys them broken, fixes them, and resells them. Its a win win for both of us. Try and find an appliance shop in your area or if one doesn't exist you can look on craigslist just take proper precautions. Good luck!
@Account Closed and @Richard F. unfortunately I have a full time job that's very busy and I've been horrible at time management lately and didn't get a chance to go search for those stores and just gave in and bought everything new from Sears online, actually I was able to accomplish my goal of not passing a certain price point where I couldn't with anyone else, but I should have asked my plumber about appliances discounts, when you're stressed and tired and don't keep calm the simplest and obvious things are not that obvious!
You can definitely negotiate, especially with Sears. I bought a bunch from them and saved about $4k off online pricing. I also was buying top of the line new, for my primary residence, not a rental. I wouldn't dream of spending that on a rental.
My wife and I purchased from a store called applianceSmart. This may be local to MInneapolis market. Kind of a discount, big box store. Got some scratch and dent specials and once got managers special. So far they are working great and no issues.
@Mark S. , I've had 2 sears salespeople tell me that the online specials are killing them, I was there yesterday and the salesman said to go online for best pricing lol, but I'm having buyer's remorse for the set for the cheaper house, the more expensive house I'm glad I'm buying new but I should have bought used for the cheaper one live and learn.
Originally posted by @Roy Gutierrez:
I hear you. When I was in he "hood" I got the used "scratch and dent" ones or from my appliances guy. Now I'm in much better areas so I went with newer stuff.
I do not do CL.
For used appliances I use stores, one is strictly used, reconditioned with 1 year warranty. The other is a new appliance store that takes trades.
For new I shop around usually able to get 4 piece stainless kitchen appliances for $2,000, which we use in rehab/flips..
I never buy a washer and dryer, they do.
I have purchased several used & reconditioned appliances from a local guy for my own home. No problem with any of them. If I'm looking for a specific item (say, a stainless gas range), he'll call me when one comes in & he's usually amenable to playing "let's make a deal." One example: a Maytag Neptune front-loader - $125 - works great. If you don't have to have everything right this minute, this could be an avenue to explore & save some cash.
so funny story. I baught an cheap fridge on CL for a rental we had just purchased. When a friendly property manager came by to give us some advise about how much to rent the house for, the only thing she asked was if we were keeping the fridge.... Dang it... Fail. And it was nicer than the fridge in my personal house.
Still when your just starting out it is good to keep costs low. That 50$ fridge is still there 1 year later. I think it was a good choice.
I used Home depot. Was thinking of buying discounted gift cards to use to buy appliances to get more discount on the items.
@Roy Gutierrez we used to buy from used appliance stores with warranty. However when the fridge broke down they would only send out a repair guy 3-4 even 5 days later (and each time we bought from him and from others they would promised us 24hours service but none could deliver us fast repair) and that really angered the tenants and us too, and a year or two later the same thing would repeat again, so we don't goof a round anymore just buy brand new HD or Lowes on discount card special scratch dent sale(same warranty as Brand new).
This January, a fridge just started to leak water from under the freezer. So we got a brand new one.(We got it back in 2014) so it lasted 14 years. That is good enough for me especially if the next one will last that long too.
New appliances = less phone calls = less problems = easier property managment for years to come
Good luck! :)
Had a lot of luck with Sears scratch & dent. Like got a $3,000 fridge for $1200, with a side dent that wasn't even visible once it was installed.
You can also negotiate prices at hhgregg stores (if you have one near you).
Try ajmadison.com out of Brooklyn, ny. They are usually cheaper than Home Depot or lowes with great selection and dimensions if you need that.