"Honestly, I've had better luck with secondhand stuff...at least then I'm mentally ready for repairs."
Haha, I can relate to that mindset. I've seen this play out a lot in property renovations—new appliances promising reliability but delivering headaches instead. Sometimes it feels like warranties are just decorative pieces of paper manufacturers toss in to make us feel better. That said, I've also had my share of secondhand nightmares—like the dishwasher that flooded a newly finished kitchen floor (lesson learned the hard way!).
I think the key is knowing what you're comfortable dealing with. If you're handy or have a reliable repair person, used can be a smart gamble. But if downtime or unexpected repair costs stress you out, new might still be worth the premium, even with its occasional disappointments. Either way, seems like appliance roulette is a game none of us signed up for...
Haha, I get the logic, but isn't there something to be said for peace of mind? I refinanced recently and splurged on new appliances—yeah, warranties might be mostly fluff, but knowing I'm not inheriting someone else's mystery stains or weird smells...worth it, maybe?
"knowing I'm not inheriting someone else's mystery stains or weird smells...worth it, maybe?"
Haha, yeah, I totally get that. There's definitely value in peace of mind, especially when it comes to appliances or furniture—things you interact with daily. Even if warranties aren't always the best deal financially, the comfort of knowing exactly what you're getting can be worth the premium.
Still, I'd say it's important to weigh the cost difference carefully. New appliances depreciate pretty quickly, and sometimes you can find gently used items that are practically new at a fraction of the price. I've seen clients who saved hundreds by buying nearly-new fridges or washers from people who were relocating or upgrading unexpectedly. If you're cautious and patient, you can often snag something that's barely been touched.
On the flip side, certain appliances—like dishwashers or mattresses—are probably better bought new, just for hygiene reasons alone. I once bought a used dishwasher thinking I'd save money, but ended up spending more on repairs and cleaning products than if I'd just bought new from the start. Lesson learned there...
Bottom line, it's about balancing your comfort level with financial practicality. If splurging on new appliances helps you sleep better at night (literally, in the case of mattresses!), then that's a valid choice. Just make sure you're aware of the trade-offs and don't stretch your budget too thin.
I see your point about hygiene and peace of mind, especially with mattresses or upholstered furniture. But honestly, for appliances like fridges or washers, buying gently used can be a smart move financially. When I bought my first place, I was pretty cautious about spending, so I went with a used washer/dryer set from someone moving out of state. They were only a year old and practically spotless—saved me hundreds compared to buying new.
Of course, you do have to be careful and inspect things thoroughly. I wouldn't buy anything sight unseen or without testing it first. And yeah, dishwashers...I learned the hard way too. Bought one secondhand that looked fine but ended up leaking all over my kitchen floor within a month. So now that's one appliance I'd probably buy new next time around.
Bottom line is, if you're detail-oriented and patient enough to hunt down quality used items, you can save quite a bit without sacrificing much comfort or reliability. Just gotta know where to draw the line.
Totally agree about appliances—especially washers and dryers. I've seen plenty of clients save a good chunk by going gently used, and it rarely causes issues if they're careful. One thing I'd add though: always check if the appliance still has a transferable warranty. A friend snagged a fridge secondhand that broke down after two months, but luckily the warranty was still valid, so repairs were covered. Definitely worth asking about before you buy...
