Buying a large appliance off Craigslist?

Drakeon

Hello Help/Advice forum, as someone who's never bought a large appliance, much less off of craigslist, what all should I be weary of? Specifically, I'm looking at buying a Refrigerator in the near future. Should I just plug it in and make sure it turns on?

Skeith

The biggest thing that I can think of with buying a used fridge would be that you have no way of knowing if it has an icing problem.

MichaelLC

There's too many things that could go wrong that might not be obvious in running it for five minutes. Could be too cold/hot, might be super loud, might ice as Skeith said. Essentially like buying a car.

Now if you don't care and it's just going to be a party fridge or something, just make sure it runs and gets cool, and check the back to make sure the coils look at least undamaged.

Also bring a friend if you're meeting at the seller's house.

Darkewolfe

I'd bring a thermometer and ask them to have had it running for a day. Check to make sure it gets cold enough for whatever you're doing. If it's going to be your primary fridge, I think it's something like 40 degrees is the warmest you want it to get.

MushroomStick

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I'd bring a thermometer and ask them to have had it running for a day. Check to make sure it gets cold enough for whatever you're doing. If it's going to be your primary fridge, I think it's something like 40 degrees is the warmest you want it to get.

Also, if the fridge has to be set at the coldest setting to do this, something's wrong and (in my experience) it'll run your electric bill crazy high.

mts

also, bring people to help you move it. don't expect any help from the seller.

Drakeon

All good ideas, thank you gentlemen.

Siska

Smell it!