What's your experience with used washers?

[AngelB]

My washing machine died yesterday and I want to get a "new" one. Mine is about 10 years old, kenmore. I don't want to blow the entire emergency fund on a fancy $1000 washer, but even plain run of the mill bare bones ones are about $500. I want large capacity with 6 kids. I can get a used one on craigslist for about $100. I found one for $125 that's 4 years old. Seems like a good deal, but I don't want it to die in a year. My sister's had a old kenmore that's lasted her years, but it seems like the new ones don't last as long. Have you guys had good experience with used washers. How long do the new ones last. I doubt I could get mine repaired for less than $100.
Angel

[madhen]

If you really liked your old washer, you might have a repairman look at it, just to see. It won't cost you anything, and it could be something simple. I have KitchenAid, and have had them for about 13 years now. I got mine for a deep discount because they were the floor models and were being switched out for the next generation. The washer stopped working about five years ago, and the repairman came out and fixed it for a relatively inexpensive bill. I think it needed a new elastic band or some such thing.

The repairman I dealt with told me that new appliances ARE built more cheaply than the older ones, because it is expected that homeowners will switch to newer models more frequently than in the past, so the machines are basically built to all apart after five years or so. So your old machine, with a $100 repair, might still outlast a brand new one that you buy today.

[Helpinghand]

My husband and I bought a used washer and dryer when we first got married for fifty bucks. It has been five years and both still work like new.

[forHISglory]

Our first washer, way back when, was used. We got it for $10, and it lasted us until we could a new one. Man, was it ugly!

Here's what we did: For every load, we put money equal to doing a load at the laundromat into a jar. We also added something like 50c extra to be the gas money to get to the laundromat. That was our savings for getting a new washer.

[jdr250]

Never bought a used washer but a few years ago when my dryer died, I bought a used dryer for $80 from a used appliance shop. It came with a 30 day warranty, it literally died on the 31st day. So I had to go get a new one and I wish I would have just bought the new one to begin with because it felt like the $80 was just flushed down the toilet.

[PrairieRose]

I have a used set bought at a garage sale for $300 (was only about a year old when I bought it), have been using it for about 3 years now. No problems. My dd bought a 2nd hand one a few years ago. Had to have a new seal put in it after about 2 years but that's been about 4 years ago, dd#2 now has and uses it. I'd ask some questions about the washer as to why they are getting rid of it and if you feel they are honest I wouldn't hesitate (but it's not MY money....lol).

[misscas]

Look on craigslist.org under "free". Just keep watching. This is the only way I would take a used washer. This works fine as long as you have access to a pickup truck to haul it home.

[DonnainME]

I have had used washers and dryers - some worked good some died quickly.

I have a NEW washer but no dryer right now. I am not sure if I will buy used or new when I do buy a dryer in Spring.

[ahmom]

I'd wonder why someone would get a new washer without something being wrong with the old one.

[madhen]

My sister does it all the time. I don't think she has an appliance over 4 years old. Or a vehicle, for that matter.

[ahmom]

Yikes! Sounds like a pain in the butt!

[Thrifty Mom]

There are a number of reasons used stuff is out there. When I got remarried, we both had washers & dryers. Mine were only a few years old, but they got sold at a garage sale dirt cheap. The other reasons the used stuff is on the market, is due to people moving & for whatever reason can't take it & also people moving into assisted living & nursing homes. I have bought used when that's all I could afford & we got by. However we did get some duds. We had a revolving door with the used appliance guy. We'd take one home, use it til it croaked, then take it back for a different one. The appliance guy did not argue with me. He just replaced it. We fianally landed on one set that lasted quite a few years. On down the road, I got a new set & as I said it ended up in a garage sale

[fixer]

I think buying used is a good idea. We bought our washer and dryer at a good price because they were dented in shipping to the store. We got a full warranty. When you buy used, it is a commitment because sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. If you keep doing it, it will average out to be a big saving. Most people only do it when they have to, so they are taking a chance on just one purchase.

[EmilyD]

I just replaced my washer and dryer. The washer's transmission was gone .. would have cost at least $250.00 to fix (parts only) cost me $38.00 dollars for the housecall. The dryer has already been fixed once .. but it makes the same noice ... that cost $100.00. Both are 30y/o.

Soooo, the repair place sells used appliances that they have refurbished. I bought a whirlpool made, Kenmore washer and dryer for $300.00 today. A new washer of comparable type was $350.00 plus. They are matching ( a nice plus) heavy duty, large capacity

They give a 90 day guarantee and will take the old ones for free ($ 30.00 removal fee for the new ones we looked out)

We have always bought used appliances. The ones that came with the house when we bought it (year ago) were all used .. w/d, dishwasher approx. 30 y/o. Stove and fridge are at least 10. Furnase 30 y/o and water heater is 5 y/o. We will have to replace a lot of it soon.

oh, BTW, we had cash to make the purchase without invading the BEF

[mandi0808]

My mother bought a used washer from a used appliance store.
That washer lasted almost 20 years.
As did the dryer she bought from them at the same time.
When the washer finally went out a couple of years ago, the dryer was
still working like new!
They were both Kenmore models that worked wonderfully.