I'm with you on the fridge thing... something about mystery spills or weird smells from previous owners just doesn't feel right, lol. But honestly, I'd add mattresses to that list too—used appliances can be great, but sleeping on someone else's old mattress? Hard pass.
Totally get the mattress thing... I mean, saving money is great and all, but there are certain things where the peace of mind outweighs the savings. Mattresses definitely fall into that category for me too. You spend like a third of your life on them, so comfort and cleanliness matter big time.
But honestly, appliances can be a different story depending on what you're looking at. I've bought used washers and dryers before, and they've been pretty solid. The key is knowing what to check for. Like with washers, always run a quick cycle before buying—listen for weird noises or leaks. Dryers, check if it heats up properly and make sure the drum spins smoothly without any grinding sounds. I once snagged a dryer off Craigslist for $75 that lasted me nearly 5 years—total bargain.
Fridges though... yeah, they're tricky. If you do go used, I'd say stick with something newer (like less than 5 years old) and from someone who clearly took care of it—clean interior, no funky smells, seals intact. And always ask why they're selling; sometimes people upgrade just because they want stainless steel or something fancier, not because it's broken or gross.
One thing I've learned over the years is to factor in the hassle too. If you're gonna save $100 but spend hours cleaning mystery gunk or dealing with repairs right away... might not be worth it in the long run. But if it's just cosmetic stuff like scratches or dents that don't affect function? I'm all about grabbing those deals.
Bottom line: some things are worth splurging on new for peace of mind (like mattresses), but plenty of appliances can be great buys secondhand if you know what to look out for and don't mind a little legwork upfront.
Totally agree on the fridge thing, they're definitely riskier secondhand. Another thing I'd add is ovens—got one used once and it worked fine, but cleaning years of baked-on grease...ugh, never again. Sometimes new is worth it just to avoid the gross factor.
"cleaning years of baked-on grease...ugh, never again."
Haha, been there. Another sketchy one is washing machines—got a used one once, and it flooded the laundry room within a week. Sometimes saving a few bucks upfront just isn't worth the hidden headaches later.
I've had decent luck with used appliances, actually. Trick is knowing what to look for—brands with solid track records, checking seals and hoses carefully, and maybe buying refurbished from reputable sellers. A little homework upfront can save you a lot of grief later.
