How much would you pay/offer for...

[Myra]

at lunch yesterday my friend mentioned that she has a washer and dryer that she is thinking of selling ...

I am in need of each.  So how much should I offer?  She bought these about 2 years ago.  She used them in an apartment for one year and then they have been in a storage unit for one year. Hopefully, they are still in working order.   I don't know what brand or model, but they are definitely a step up from the rusting junk I currently am babying in my basement.  I would have to rent a uhaul and drive about an hour to pick them up plus I would have to take mine to the dump and pay disposal fees.  

I know this is vague, but can anyone give me a ball park figure to offer?  Also anyone have any pros and cons of buying used in this situation - or should I just suck it up, use my old ones until I can afford a new set?

 

THanks!

 

[TheReader]

If you can swing maybe 50% of what they were new, that would be good, I think. I know you have to rent a Uhaul and drive an hour, so that adds to your expense, but your friend shouldn't have to sell to you for less (unless she wants to) because of added expense on your end. 

If you can't swing that on top of the uhaul and drive, maybe look on something local like FB Marketplace, Craig's List, etc. to see if there's something available locally near you. 

Or, ask your friend what she's asking for them, and go from there. She may have a price in mind, and it may be well within reason, particularly if she knows you're interested. 

[Soror]

I'd want to now the model before thinking about what to offer, appliances vary so much in cost. 

[gardenmom5]

I would get the model numbers, find out how much they sell for new (on sale)_ and offer about half.

[gardenmom5]

9 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

I wouldn't offer.  I would ask how much she is asking for them.

When we moved here, we had to sell our washer and dryer because this place already had a set.  Ours were not new, they were like 10 yrs old, and they weren't fancy, just base models.  BUT, they worked great and were not rusting junk.

 

We sold them for $25 apiece.  The guy that bought them was astounded that we were selling them so cheap.  But really, we couldn't use them, we weren't going to move them here, and they weren't fancy or new.  

So, ask what she wants.  You might find out she's looking to get very little out of them.  Or you might find out that she wants way more than you can afford.  

 or asking more than they're worth.  I've encountered people who will ask what something should cost new.

[catz]

You also might find between a rental and disposal fees, this might not be worth the hassle if she wants too much over buying new or from a dealer.  So be sure to calculate that into your costs to decide if this is a good plan.  Buying from a dealer typically includes delivery and disposal.  So I'd ask her to ballpark.  And what I'd be willing to pay might really depend on what she wants vs. the brand.  Things are not made to last like they used to.  Even moving them on your own, you're at risk for something not working and then you are paying for repair out of the gate.

Edited December 16, 2019 by FuzzyCatz

[Scarlett]

7 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

You also might find between a rental and disposal fees, this might not be worth the hassle if she wants too much over buying new or from a dealer.  So be sure to calculate that into your costs to decide if this is a good plan.  Buying from a dealer typically includes delivery and disposal.  So I'd ask her to ballpark.  And what I'd be willing to pay might really depend on what she wants vs. the brand.  Things are not made to last like they used to.  Even moving them on your own, you're at risk for something not working and then you are paying for repair out of the gate.

This is what I was going to say.  If I didn’t have a pick up or a friend who was willing to help me.....I would probably look into a base set new for the free delivery and disposal.  

[SereneHome]

I wouldn't even consider it.  I don't mix friends and "deals".

There are so many washers / dryers offered on Craig's list and freecycle and some of them almost new. People remodel or move and get rid of appliances all the time.

If I am already doing the hauling, I don't want any strings attached.

[Scarlett]

10 minutes ago, SereneHome said:

I wouldn't even consider it.  I don't mix friends and "deals".

There are so many washers / dryers offered on Craig's list and freecycle and some of them almost new. People remodel or move and get rid of appliances all the time.

If I am already doing the hauling, I don't want any strings attached.

What kind of strings do you think would be attached?

i would worry a little about it being ins forage for a year.....mice or such can ruin a washer and dryer in short order.  

 But  I trust my friends more than a stranger on the net to be honest about what they are selling.  

[Scarlett]

Op I am sure you could get someone to take the set you have off your hands for free.  I doubt you would have to pay a disposal fee.....I have had non working appliances snatched up when posted for free.  

 

[SereneHome]

32 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

What kind of strings do you think would be attached?

i would worry a little about it being ins forage for a year.....mice or such can ruin a washer and dryer in short order.  

 But  I trust my friends more than a stranger on the net to be honest about what they are selling.  

I am a generally cynical person, so...

OP buys a set and something breaks soon after and she feels she paid too much and there is a resentment, seller says it was a perfect set their relationship gets strained.

A third cousin twice removed tells the seller that she should have gotten more money, seller starts feeling resentful and OP and seller's relationships gets strained.

I could probably come up with a few more....  I realize I am probably in a minority, I just don't like mixing anything $$ related with friends.

[gardenmom5]

1 hour ago, SereneHome said:

I wouldn't even consider it.  I don't mix friends and "deals".

There are so many washers / dryers offered on Craig's list and freecycle and some of them almost new. People remodel or move and get rid of appliances all the time.

If I am already doing the hauling, I don't want any strings attached.

it can also depend upon the friend, and the item.  we generally don't either - but we did buy a car off some friends who were moving to the mts and replacing it with a Subaru.  2ds drove it until he graduated from college - and upgraded to a car with more bells and whistles.   He sold it for $100 less than he originally paid.  (three years?  four years?).

[J-rap]

I'd want to know the brand/model and confirm they're in working order.  Then, ask her what she's offering.  If she doesn't really know and wants you to make an offer, then you can look up what similar price-range machines sell for used on Craigslist and such.

You can also search Craigslist right now for something closer!  Or, even check out local appliance stores.  When we bought our last home, we were able to get a used washer and dryer at our local appliance store, and they delivered and set it up for us.

I sure wouldn't worry about "strings attached."

 

Edited December 16, 2019 by J-rap

[Pen]

 They are only a step up if they are in working order.

I would want to know the brand and model first. And I would look up reviews on that brand and model and see if it’s something that I would be wanting to buy.  Versus saving up for new.  Or versus buying used from somewhere closer. 

And I would want to have some way  to know that they are in working order, before going to the trouble of trying to rent a U-Haul driving to get them, getting them installed and hooked up—only to find out that they are not in working order.  

Once you know what they are, determine that they work, and think you do want them, you could get an idea of price for that new and price for that on same models for sale on Craig’s list etc. 

[catz]

Actually if they’ve been in storage a year they may not be in working order unless she hooks them up to confirm.   So with that piece of info I probably wouldn’t pursue unless she were to verify that.  

[Carol in Cal.]

Too many red flags, starting from the age—unless they are Speed Queens, in which case I’m pretty sure she would not be selling them, they are almost certainly less reliable than the old ones you are using now.  My suggestion would be to put the money into buying spare spare parts for your old set so that you can keep it going for a long time.

[sweet2ndchance]

We've bought used washers and dryers many times. More than once, they ended up being great machines that lasted longer than expected (5 years or more in some cases).

Where I live, used electric dryers that are in good working order run between $75 - $150 depending on age and/or cosmetic damage that doesn't affect how the unit runs.

Used top loading washers in good working order run about $100 - $150 again depending on age and cosmetic damage.

I have no idea on front loaders, never had one, don't want one, so I've never really priced them.'

I also agree with the posters above that said don't worry too much about your old washer/dryer. Post an ad stating that they are free to whoever hauls them off. Someone will snatch them up.

Normally, if we have an issue with a used appliance, when the repair would cost more than another used appliance, that is when we have either got another used one if we just weren't the position to buy new or go ahead and just buy new if we are in the position to get new ones. I've had a pump replaced for $100 or so on $150 washer, but when replacing the transmission would cost over $200 just in parts, that's where I draw the line and decide it is not worth it. YMMV.