Scratch and dent refrigerators may not be your first choice when furnishing your new home. Or maybe, you are one-upping on your fellow home appliance shoppers and know the great deals that scratch and dent can offer. First, let us explain what scratch and dent means.
If you’re new to the term, scratch, and dent simply translate to appliances that have a few bruises and scars on them, resulting from shipments, warehouse issues, or other miscellaneous damages. Scratch and dent refrigerators still uphold the integrity of the appliance but may have a few cosmetic flaws. In most cases, the damages will appear on the back or sides of the appliances and can be easily hidden by calls or cabinetry. If you’re looking for a great steal on high-performing appliances, then a discounted fridge is the way to go.
East Coast Appliances is the only place to shop if you’re searching for “scratch and dent refrigerators near me”. Discover why scratch and dent offers are something to look for and how to inspect a refurbished fridge to make sure it fits your home in our guide.
At a Glance:
How to Buy Scratch & Dent Refrigerators
Discounted Fridge Pros and Cons
Buying a Scratch and Dent Fridge
The scratch and dent appliance market is flooded with great options waiting for you. When you consider buying a dented refrigerator, you’re taking advantage of value prices without any snags in their internal conditions.
Plan Your Budget
Before heading to the store, plan and find out what you want and need. Create a budget and stick to it. If you don’t, you run the risk of spending money on a fridge that you’ll regret later. Once you have a set budget in mind, prioritize the features you’re looking for. Do you want a French door refrigerator or one that is Energy Star Qualified? Scratch and dent fridges aren’t a steady supply so options may be limited. It may be good to consider the value of the fridge over wishlist desires as well.
Examine
If you’ve found a dented and a scratched fridge that has your features and price, the next thing to do is inspect the damage. Make sure that nothing is too bruised for the integrity of your kitchen and needs. If you do notice the refrigerator is a bit too banged up, but the price is too good to beat, consider buffing out some of the dents yourself.
Warranty
Scratch and dent appliances do come with warranty plans if they’re brand-new. The manufactory warranty should last a year, giving you ample time to assess if there happens to be any internal damage. You can also invest in an extended warranty if any significant damages happen later on.
If you find yourself in need of a discounted appliance, check out how Discount Appliances Still Provide Tremendous Value to your kitchen.
Determine the Damage
When choosing a discounted fridge, you want to determine the damage. If you aren’t aware of what you’re buying and don’t take into account all the dents and scratches it comes with, then you could be making a bigger gamble than you signed up for. Knicks in the metal of the fridge can be buffed out or hidden, but cracks in glass surfaces are something to pay attention to. It can be costly to replace the glass and can affect the touch screen surfaces if the fridge has that option.
Make sure to thoroughly inspect the fridge before you scan the price tag. East Coast Appliance offers great customer service, and we will be glad to assist you with your purchase. Once you’ve inspected and determined the damages, consider the price.
Do some research and see what the retail price is on the refrigerator. Alternatively, if you’re shopping at East Coast Appliance, you can be sure all our scratch and dent refrigerators are fairly priced.
Pros & Cons of Discounted Fridges
As with everything, there are pros and cons to blemished refrigerators.
Pros
- Cheaper price-point
- Can include manufactory warranty
- Cosmetic damage only
- Lease-to-own options
Cons
- Could have further issues down the road
- Not always visually beautiful
DIY Polishing & Fridge Tips
When purchasing a scratch and dent refrigerator near you, there are a few ways you can take the appliance cosmetics into your own hand. A DIY project is never a bad solution, but there are ways to prepare yourself if you want to spruce up your discounted appliance.
The first thing you need to know is that discounted appliances are typically on you to haul away and set up. Prepare to have a larger car or truck to take away and pick up your new fridge.
Moving In
A great tip to know when setting up your fridge on your own is to unpack the box outside. It’ll help to shimmy the fridge out of the box and onto a dolly. Also, don’t throw the boxes away until you know the fridge has been running smoothly for a few days.
Take the shelves and drawers out of the fridge before moving it into your home or apartment. This will make sure nothing breaks or falls unexpectedly. If you haven’t already, leave the plastic coverings on the doors and handles to protect from potential damage while moving.
How to Remove Scratches from a Stainless Steel Fridge
Most all refrigerators are made from a stainless-steel material. They feature durability and sleek finishes but that doesn’t mean there aren’t scratches and dents. There are a few different ways to remove the blemishes you find on your discounted fridge.
Finer Scratches
Finer scratches can typically be buffed out using a stainless steel polish like Comet or Revere Stainless Steel. You can find these products at any home improvement store. Once you have the stainless steel polish, simply use an old towel and perform small circular motions over the scratches. Over time, the scrapes will become less noticeable. Depending on the fridge, you may need to apply the polish once a day to have a sleek stainless steel finish.
Deeper Scratches
A gem of the DIY world is sandpaper. You may not immediately think to use the material that works for wood, but sandpaper can buff out those hard scratches. Wet a piece of the paper, use a little polish and watch as those scratches disappear.
Follow the brush pattern of the fridge so that the dent becomes one again with the polish. Sand down your fridge in one direction, but don’t sand against the grain. Depending on the depth of the scratch, use courser-grit sandpaper, followed by a finer paper, and finally a rubbing compound.
Keep in mind this technique won’t work with fingerprint-resistant clear coats or simulated stainless steel.
Polish and Clean
The last thing to do for your dented fridge is clean and polish it. Once your unwanted scratches are removed, use a microfiber cloth, and wipe the sanded surface down. This will remove any leftover polish, metal compounds, or water. To further clean your fridge of leftover residue, use a spray of vinegar. This will ensure everything is smooth and clean.
To polish your refrigerator, use a clean microfiber cloth with either vegetable, mineral, or olive oil. Continue rubbing the surface until the entire area is polished to your desire.
FAQs
Q: What are typical scratch and dent discounts?
Between the make, model, year, and the amount of damage, this price can fluctuate. Typically, a scratch and dent discount falls around 15% off of its regular sale price. Again, make sure to do your research on the regular retail price of the refrigerator you’re considering to make sure the discount is worth it.
Q: How long do scratch and dent fridges last?
Since the majority of scratch and dent fridges only have cosmetic flaws, rather than internal issues, the life span is roughly 12 years. Expect your discounted fridge to last just as long as a brand-new one and consider investing in the warranty.
Q: How to remove scratches from stainless steel refrigerators?
In short, use a stainless steel polish, sandpaper, and mineral oil to buff out those rougher spots. This process will only work on stainless steel and not on fingerprint-resistant clear coats or simulated stainless steel fridges.
Why Trust Us?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Scratch and Dent Refrigerators Near Me at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop scratch and dent appliances online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find the best-discounted scratch and dent refrigerators for you, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: What are Scratch & Dent Appliances?