Used vs Refurbished Appliances: What's the Difference and Which Should You Buy?

What Does "Used" Actually Mean?

A used appliance is one that has been owned before and is being resold. It may work perfectly, or it may have a minor cosmetic scuff. At Appliance Farm, every used appliance we sell is plugged in and tested before it reaches our showroom floor in Venus, FL. If it does not pass, it goes to our repair bench — not to a customer.

The key question when buying used is not "is it used?" but "was it tested?" A used washer from a neighbor who tested it is a better bet than a clearance-floor unit at a big-box store that was never plugged in.

What Does "Refurbished" Mean?

A refurbished appliance is one that had a problem, was repaired, and is now being sold again. The repair could be as simple as replacing a worn drive belt on a dryer, or as involved as swapping a failed compressor on a refrigerator. The appliance has been opened up, diagnosed, fixed, and tested.

Refurbished appliances are sometimes a better choice than used because you know a technician has been inside it and addressed a specific issue. At our shop, refurbished units carry the same testing process as used ones — plus the repair work itself.

Which Should You Choose?

There is no single right answer — it depends on the appliance, your budget, and what is available. Here is how we think about it:

• Refrigerators: A used refrigerator with a clean seal and good cooling is often the best value. A refurbished one makes sense if the compressor or defrost system was replaced.
• Washers and dryers: Both used and refurbished are good options. A refurbished washer or dryer with a new belt or pump can outlast a used one that has not been serviced.
• Ranges and ovens: Used is usually fine — there are fewer moving parts to fail. Check that all burners light and the oven reaches temperature.

What to Check Before You Buy

Whether you are buying used or refurbished, here is what to look for:

1. Does it run? It should be plugged in and demonstrated before you pay.
2. Does it leak? Check under the washer and around the refrigerator door.
3. Does it heat? A dryer should produce warm air within a few minutes.
4. Does it sound right? Grinding, squealing, or clicking noises are red flags.
5. Is the price honest? Compare to what a new unit costs — if the used price is more than 60% of new, it may not be worth it.

The Bottom Line

At Appliance Farm, we do not sell anything we would not put in our own homes. Every appliance — used or refurbished — is inspected, tested, and photographed before it goes live on our inventory page. If it breaks down, our repair team can fix it, with repairs starting at just $69.

We offer free local delivery on orders over $200 across Highlands County and South-Central Florida. Call 954-663-7959 to ask about a specific unit or to schedule delivery.