"Something like a fridge or dishwasher, where reliability is crucial, might justify the extra upfront cost of buying new."
I totally get this logic, but it makes me wonder—does brand play a big role here too? Like, would you feel safer buying a refurbished higher-end fridge versus a brand-new budget model? I've been debating this lately, especially since we're refinancing and trying to stretch our dollars wisely. Curious if anyone's had better luck going refurbished with premium brands...
I've actually gone down this road before—bought a refurbished high-end fridge thinking I'd scored big. Honestly, it worked out fine, but I did have a minor hiccup with the ice maker after a few months. Nothing major, just annoying.
"would you feel safer buying a refurbished higher-end fridge versus a brand-new budget model?"
I'd say brand matters, but warranty matters more. If the refurb comes with a solid warranty, it's probably worth the gamble. Otherwise, a new budget model with decent reviews might be the safer bet...
I went refurbished on a dishwasher once—high-end brand, solid warranty, thought I was golden. Worked great for about a year, then started making weird noises. Nothing catastrophic, just irritating enough to make me second-guess the savings...
"warranty matters more"
Definitely agree here. But I'm curious, anyone had better luck with refurbished smaller appliances vs. larger ones? Seems like size might matter somehow.
"anyone had better luck with refurbished smaller appliances vs. larger ones?"
Yeah, I've noticed a similar trend myself. I've had decent experiences with refurbished smaller stuff—coffee makers, blenders, even a toaster oven once. Those seem to hold up pretty well, maybe because they're simpler and have fewer moving parts. But when it comes to bigger appliances like dishwashers or fridges, I tend to be more cautious. I mean, the savings can be tempting, but the potential hassle if something goes wrong is way bigger.
I once grabbed a refurbished fridge thinking I'd scored big-time savings. Worked fine initially, but about six months in, the freezer started acting up—nothing major, just weird temperature fluctuations that made me nervous. Ended up spending more time worrying about it than enjoying the savings.
So yeah, warranty definitely matters, but I think complexity and the cost of potential repairs factor in too. For big-ticket items that you'd rather not replace anytime soon, sometimes peace of mind is worth paying a bit extra upfront...
I've had mixed luck with refurbished big appliances. Got a washer/dryer set that lasted years without a hiccup, but my refurbished oven... let's just say Thanksgiving turkey should never be medium rare. Smaller gadgets seem safer bets overall.
