experience with getting used washer/dryer?

[Ksandra]

Ok so we live in an apt that has space for a stacking washer/dryer unit. We currently are renting one for $40 a month (we test in the past and that ends up being about the same per month to use the coin machines). I've been thinking though about just buying one instead because I always hate money going into thin air if I don't have to.

Here is what I'm considering though:

1. We just resigned the lease for another year so at this current time we'd spent $480 on the rental for the next year.

2. Ideally, we will only be here another year but who knows? It's all based on my husband working at his job for 2+ years to get a home loan, but at the same time he works in the 3-D industry and we all know it's up in the air how long that will last.

3. His father is a military veteran and we've seen sometimes on base a stacker for $800 but paying $23 a month with no interest (no tax on base either). It means pay less per month, but only ends up being beneficial if we end up staying in the apt.

4. plenty of used stackers on craigslist for under $480 which means saving on the rental and I could always resell it for like $50-$100 bucks. Downside to this is how to tell if it will last.

Anyone have any experience getting used ones? What's a good cutoff on how old I should purchase one? What kind of price is usually expected for a "good" used one? I've never bought anything off of craigslist before so any advice is appreciated.

Also, I am not looking for anything fancy, the one I'm renting is shit basic as it is. This is basically to hold us over until we have a house/condo someday and then I'll end up getting a side by side.

[Kerberoz]

Whatever you do, haggle the fuck out of it. It's hard to sell anything in this economy and there's a good chance you'll be able to annoy someone into giving it away cheap.

[Ksandra]

Whatever you do, haggle the fuck out of it. It's hard to sell anything in this economy and there's a good chance you'll be able to annoy someone into giving it away cheap.

ya I probably will. When I was thinking of getting new (as I said above) that I'd sell it for like $50 when I left, but people seem to be selling theirs for like $200-$350. I can easily get one of those for $100 I think, but at the same time that's the haggler in me. I want to make sure that those prices are normal, and I don't end up with a shit washer/dryer.

[Soa]

Washers and dryers have a pretty long life, usually 20+ years. My grandparents still have a Maytag set they bought in the 60's that works perfectly. If you are concerned about the performance of a used one just spend a few bucks to have a professional give it a once over before buying it.

[Nightbreed]

My parents bought a stackable washer/dryer to keep on the main floor in the closet off of craigslist, it was listed at $400 i think they got it for around $225, has been going strong for about 2 years now.

[Tyche]

I've always had incredibly shitty luck with washers/dryers. I'll always buy those new now. Black friday my friend, black friday.

[Kerberoz]

Older models of popular brands tend to be comically easy to repair, also. Keep that in mind. Most malfunctions are due to the belt wearing out.

[Ksandra]

I've always had incredibly shitty luck with washers/dryers. I'll always buy those new now. Black friday my friend, black friday.

ya sadly though looking at flyers all the washer/dryers on sale are side to side and I don't have room for that. XD

[kuronosan]

I have front loaders. The energy savings are incredible. If you're going to buy used, buy a front loader/stackable and make sure it's no older than 2-3 years.

[Cyn]

Older models of popular brands tend to be comically easy to repair, also. Keep that in mind. Most malfunctions are due to the belt wearing out.

The older dryers are pretty much a hairdryer strapped to a spinning motor. Nothing is hard to fix if it is fully mechanical with only one moving part.

[MaachaQ]

My sister has had bad luck with the heating element in her dryer which she got used, but my father was able to replace it himself. Really, the heating element and whatever belts are likely to be the only problems with getting a used machine, and they are normally not too hard to replace or very expensive.

[arus2001]

At least try to pop some casing to get a glimpse at the inside before you settle on whatever, too. Actual hardware issues aside, last thing you wanna do is bring home some possible molds, vermin, or whatever may have come about from disuse or a shitty environment.