Where do you buy Stainless Steel Appliances?

Question

Hello, I have known that a few experienced investors use stainless appliances for rehabs.  Where do you get them?  I'm wondering because it seems spendy buying new and buying old seems cheap.  Thanks

Matt Kearney · Answer

We get all our appliances at Lowes and we are generally using only stainless steel.

We use the same sales guy... and we've bought so many from him that whenever a really good deal comes up he calls us right away.

We go a little higher end with our appliances, usually getting either the Fridgidaire Gallery line or the real nice Samsung stuff. Our sales guy usually gives us a nice discount (15%) plus we also use discount cards and coupons for another 5%-10% off.

We do order  a lot of appliances (we ordered 10 sets one month, costing around $20,000). Trying to peice together scratch and dent stuff, or shopping off Craigslist gets too cumbersome when you are doing a good volume.

One thing we use to do was try to get 1-2 pieces deeply discounted (display models, scratch and dent, returns, discontinued) and then buy the matching pieces of the set for full price. This would bring our cost for the complete set way down.

J Scott · Answer

Since I've gotten several requests, I'll just put the info here...

Attached to this post is a copy of part of my most recent Home Depot invoice, with the list of appliances (Fridge, Range, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer), their SKU numbers, their model numbers and the price I received (which may or may not be the price you receive).

To get more info about any product, just type the model number into Google.  I've annotated the document with what each item is (since it's not obvious from the SKU unless you do a search).

Btw, for all 6 pieces in this order (including washer/dryer and free delivery), we paid about $2140, which is a bit more expensive than usual.  I don't know if prices went up, or if the bid desk just didn't discount things the way they normally do (it's possible they increased discounts on other items for this order and not so much on the appliances), but normally, I get all 6 pieces for about $2100, including tax.

McKellar Newsom · Answer

I like our local scratch and dent place if the dents are not obvious.  For buy and holds, you can get stainless steel fronts and not the sides for a little less.

For lower end properties, I like fridges without ice makers which often cause tenants trouble.

J Scott · Answer

Shoot me a PM and I'll send you all the SKUs...

As Mike pointed out, these are low-end GE products (generally Hotpoint, which is a GE brand), but from a look/feel stand-point, your lower-end and middle-end buyers will likely never notice the difference.

Jeff B. · Answer

Craigslist or occasional sales.  A couple of months ago, I picked up a 4 pc set of stainless for 1600 at HH Gregg.  I think it may have been a special order, but it is certainly a nice set for a rehab/rental unit.

Ben Singh · Answer

Here is a website I use that allows you to search multiple CL zones in one place.

http://www.searchtempest.com/

Ben Singh · Answer

I have been buying on Craigslist. In the past 6 months I have purchased 4 real clean, like new SS side by sides (27 cft) for an average of $700. Similar new units sell for upwards $1500.
Fortunately for me folks are vacating large homes & moving in to apartments & condos and there big refrigerators won't fit their new digs so rather than putting them in storage most folks end up selling them. You do have to keep checking CL every other day. I always try to keep at least one spare fridge on hand (I have a oversize garage) same goes for washers & dryers.

Mark Yuschak · Answer

I always buy my appliances at Lowes.  I consistently deal with the same salesperson and he always hooks me up.  The last set of appliances I bought (a couple weeks ago) I got 30% off.

If I can, I'll buy the "scratch and dent" units at Lowes.  If the dents or scratches will be hidden by an adjacent wall or cabinet, it's no big deal and a money saver.  Otherwise, I go with brand new Frigidaire Gallery units.  Always stainless.  I think the SilverMist color looks cheesy.

And, 9 times out of 10, I get the french door refrigerator.  It makes the houses have a more "upscale" feel.

Jim Stardust · Answer

I've had quite a bit of luck at Sears Outlets, you have to look around and keep checking their inventories but if you have one near you, you can score some top of the line Samsungs or LG for 60% or more off MSRP.

J Scott · Answer

The fridge is the one item we'll upgrade in any house that we plan to sell above $120K...we've never had any complaints about no in-door or ice dispensers, but I'm guessing that most buyers probably don't notice or think about it until they've moved in...

Where do you buy Stainless Steel Appliances?

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