Things to Know When Buying a Used Commercial Refrigerator
Introduction ● Sometimes purchasing a used product is all our budget allows ● Purchasing a used true commercial refrigerator costs up to 50% lower than the price of buying a brand-new machine ● Though it has its downsides and is not necessarily advisable ● Pre-owned refrigerators often cost less than half the price of new models
1. Measure Your Space ● It is important to make sure it will fit before you spend the money on it ● Measure the length, width and depth of the area where your new unit will stand ●
In order for this product to work properly, there should be a one-inch clearance on each side and on top
2. Determine Your Price Range ● Used refrigerators come in a wide variety of price ranges ● Set a range and only look at models with price tags within those numbers ● It all depends on what you’re looking for
3. Research Models ● Do a bit of online research via websites or magazines that review appliances ● Certain manufacturers produce more reliable goods than others ● Check out what sort of repairs, operating costs, and experiences owners and experts report about different refrigerators ● This is a case when brand name reputation does matter
4. Ask Questions ● Have a list of questions ready to ask the seller about the used fridge ● You should be able to get a feel for whether the appliance is a fit for your needs ● Consider asking: ○ Why are you selling it? ○ Is there anything wrong with it? ○ Are you the original owner?
5. Inspect the Unit ● Be prepared to perform a thorough inspection ● If you can bring a friend or relative with you for a second opinion, all the better ● Here are some things to look for: ○ Age ○ Coldness ○ Smell ○ Door Seal
Conclusion ● Used refrigerators can offer obvious advantages in terms of cost savings ● Any refrigerator more than 10 years old will not be as energy efficient as a model you could purchase new today ● Be sure that the immediate savings in the upfront cost of the appliance are worth the higher energy bills you may pay year after year