Scratch and dent warehouses are like gold mines, where everyday prospectors (shoppers) can find treasure in the rough. Furthermore, the rough need not be all that bad, either, since even a tiny ding, scratch, or chip can keep an appliance off the showroom floor.
Appliance manufacturers relegate any flawed items to the back storage depot, where ones that have only cosmetic flaws will be sent to either in-house damaged goods depots or sold to one of the many businesses that specialize in this kind of retail. Check online or in the yellow pages of the phone book to find local dealers in your immediate area.
Sears, the fifth-largest department store of them all and a major player in the appliance industry, has its own outlets for slightly damaged goods. Everyone lives pretty near a Sears, it seems. There are also many other discount centers and online sites that sell imperfect models of appliances made by all the well-known manufacturers. An online search turns up over 200,000 sites that offer bargains in many different countries.
Saving from one to five hundred dollars is a good reason to check out dealers in your area. Even a dent or scratch that will not show in a routine kitchen array will reduce a refrigerator or dish washer to a factory or retail ‘second.’ Most damage occurs during shipment, and it has happened that a badly-torn box contains a pristine component inside. Buying a ‘scratch and dent’ does not mean that you are taking a risk, either. All manufacturer’s warranties on performance still apply in full.
Anyway, homeowners often can repair the damage themselves, carefully using model paint that renders a scrape invisible or pulling a dent out with a plunger. Visit one of the many scratch and dent warehouses locally or online to see what bargains they offer.
