Learn me: Appliances

We just moved into a new place.

Need a dishwasher and a dryer. (Gas, yayyyyyy....)

New gas dryers seem to be ludicrously expensive. Dishwashers... can find cheap.

Anyone have any super secrets to getting these things new for cheap? Or any links/input on what to buy if you're on a budget?

(Yes, used is a possibility, especially the dryer.)

If we buy new, it'd be nice to get something that we'd move out of this place. (Only plan on staying 2 years.) But, for cheap enough, i don't give a E36 M3.

Dryer, i don't care at all what color it is. Cheapest i've been able to find is a $450 Amana at Menards.

Dishwasher, i'd prefer black or stainless. Found a couple in the low 300s that didn't LOOK super cheesy, but again, i know nothing about dishwashers other than that the Hotpoint unit we had at the apartment blew entire herds of chimp. (Thanks for my favorite phrase, JG!)

Halp!

So wait, this isn't about Toyotas?

With appliances, what I've found is that all cheap appliances are cheap and sucky. And lots expensive appliances are cheap and sucky.

You'll also find that a lot of the appliances are identical models, with different name tags slapped on them...think GM in the height of their badge engineering. We've had lots of houses and lots of different appliances. We've typically had GE or Whirpool and have been happy with them for the most part. Most of them are now built to be disposable so once they break something functional, you throw them out instead of repairing them.

We've had great luck with Best Buy "open box" items. Those are typically floor models or returns. We've picked lots of stuff up dirt cheap that way. Our fridge is one of those ultra fancy stainless deals...even has a touch screen computer in the door. Got it for $1700, and regular price was $3500. It has one tiny scratch on the front, but was otherwise flawless. Our current washer/dryer also came from Best Buy. Same deal...high end stuff bought for 1/2 price.

I can get you a good deal through my company, but I am not sure I myself would take advantage of said deals. PM me if you want.

Someone local to you repairs appliances. They will have used ones they have fixed for sale, and they typically don't bother fixing the really cheap ones. That means for a used price typically less than the cheapest new one you get a better quality one, and almost always with a warranty.

It doesn't take much to cap off a gas line and install an outlet, then you can use any dryer.

Labor Day is around the corner so there will be some good sales out there, so I'd keep an eye out.

If there is still a Sears outlet near you it may be worth taking a look to see what they have.

Tom_Spangler wrote: So wait, this isn't about Toyotas?

I was expecting a dissertation on why the F2T is the embodiment of an appliance car engine

A habit for humanity restore is a great place to pick up used appliances, if you have any around you... If you haven't been to one, think thrift store for building supplies. Yes, that's a dangerous as it sounds :)

I know around here you can frequently find gas driers for much cheaper than electric... I wanted a gas when we moved in here but ended up electric because a friend sold an older set for like $100... I did have to open up the drier once to bypass the door sensor as it seemed to stop working... $5 part is all but whatever lol.

Buy both used, with a little patience you wont spend more than $200 total for both.

Craigslist is likely your friend for this, since you're willing to go used. An old $25 appliance will not be a pretty as a new one of course.

Little harder to find are the re-cycle type places. Word of mouth, google searching and such might find you some. More expensive than straight used, but usually in a bit better shape.

Few things in my life are bought new at relatively high prices. Appliances are one. I spent the money to get a new Bosch dishwasher and haven't regretted it once.

dculberson wrote: Few things in my life are bought new at relatively high prices. Appliances are one. I spent the money to get a new Bosch dishwasher and haven't regretted it once.

Keep in mind he is looking at a 2 year stay here.

ryanty22 wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote: So wait, this isn't about Toyotas?

I was expecting a dissertation on why the F2T is the embodiment of an appliance car engine

F2T in any appliance car makes for an awesome idea.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Any brands to stay away from? Or in the "cheap" bracket, are all the dishwashers going to be crap anyways, and it doesn't matter?

Thinking about hitting labor day sales for the dishwasher, going to check Fry's, Best Buy, Sears at least. Possibly Menards.

The gas dryer... seems there's a few local repair joints advertising on CL. I'll check them out.

+1 for Sears Outlet scratch & dents. Who gives a E36 M3 if a dryer has a scratch or dent on it? Only the people paying full price.

Also: The Appliance Repair Guy route seems like a great idea. I've had really good luck buying mowers from the local small engine repair guy.

Also, we've had pretty good luck with all of our (kenmore?) appliances from Sears. My Dad pushed me on an LG microwave on clearance when he was working for HD. 6 months later, 3 of the buttons worked. YMMV.

mtn wrote:

dculberson wrote: Few things in my life are bought new at relatively high prices. Appliances are one. I spent the money to get a new Bosch dishwasher and haven't regretted it once.

Keep in mind he is looking at a 2 year stay here.

I would happily move it with me if it meant avoiding dealing with a crappy dishwasher every day.

dculberson wrote:

mtn wrote:

dculberson wrote: Few things in my life are bought new at relatively high prices. Appliances are one. I spent the money to get a new Bosch dishwasher and haven't regretted it once.

Keep in mind he is looking at a 2 year stay here.

I would happily move it with me if it meant avoiding dealing with a crappy dishwasher every day.

I agree, but i'm strapped from the move, Challenge is coming up, and i'm not paying for a baller dishwasher. $400 or under is the cap for a dishwasher.

If it works good enough for me to move, awesome!

If not, oh well.

It can't possibly be worse than what the apartment we just moved out of supplied.

A used Bosch! Actually I bought a new one on clearance for my parents at around $379 and it's just as awesome as mine just not quite as pretty.

I have to agree with Bosch. Ours is very quiet.