How Does $500 Sound in Exchange for a Scratch or Dent?

DEAR MARY: I love your columns that I read in our local newspaper. We need to purchase a new washing machine and would like your recommendation. I tried to find a column you previously wrote on this subject but was unsuccessful. We need a large capacity machine for our large family. Thank you. Monica

DEAR MONICA: Go to EverydayCheapskate.com and you will find all of the columns including those that do not show up in your newspaper. When you get to that website, there is a search box in the upper right area, “search my blog.” Type in the washing machine or some other keyword (s) and you will find what you’re missing. You can always count on every Everyday Cheapskate column to be archived at this site.

I’m thinking you should head over to American Freight (formerly Sears Outlet). This outlet site consistently offers some of the best deals out there. This is where damaged and refurbished appliances go to be sold at highly discounted prices.

When you get to the site, expect to find every dented washer Sears has available for sale at the time you search, located in every American Freight store in the country.

I find American Freight to be a great learning site. It’s amazing just how many models each appliance manufacturer has and what the suggested retail price was before it was sent to the outlet. Outlet appliances will be new or refurbished, and at prices around 50 percent off. 

You can study each appliance’s specs and even find customer reviews for many items. I am sometimes wary of reviews at this site because, as you’ll discover, some people give an appliance a lousy review because it came dented or scratched—the very reason they got such a great deal on it. So keep your common sense handy as you research.

I love the fact that you can see and learn exactly what’s wrong with each item that has landed it in the outlet. Most of the time these exceptions are simply cosmetic, like a dent or scratch. You can learn what it means to purchase a “refurbished” appliance with a manufacturer’s warranty. Then check the store location of the item, how to pick it up if you are local, or what the shipping charge will be should you need to go that route. Check daily as things do change quickly.

I purchased a clothes dryer from the American Freight (at the time Sears Outlet) about six years ago. It came from Ohio, arrived on a big truck with no box—just packing material and plastic wrap around it. It had no owner manual. And I didn’t care. The dryer was exactly as pictured on the site with a big scratch on the side; $557 with shipping, as opposed to its regular retail price of $1,100. I downloaded the manual from the manufacturer’s website and to me, it was brand new complete with the full manufacturer’s warranty. The scratch disappeared once set next to its matching washer.

Our big move to Colorado last year, turned out to be a learning experience with Whirlpool appliances. With our new home, we inherited a gas range, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer—all Whirlpool Gold and 12 years old. I’d fully planned to replace all of these appliances, but quickly changed my mind after only a week of using them. It helps that they were so well taken care of. Still, these days, 12 years is closing in on becoming obsolete for many appliances. The washer and dryer set are fantastic workhorses. They have no digital displays, just your basic settings. I couldn’t be happier with all of the appliances.

As you are looking at washers, I would suggest you stick with heavyduty, large capacity GE, Whirlpool or Maytag. You’ll find many options and choices at an American Freight store in your local area.

Do not go with Samsung appliances. You will regret that to the day you die. Samsung appliances are generally, in my opinion, notorious for failing and being very expensive to repair, if you can possibly find anyone to work on them.

Remember, the fewer electronics and digital bells and whistles on a washer, the cheaper it will be to maintain over many years, because you have fewer expensive options that could breakdown.

A top loading washer without the agitator would be my first choice. However, a front loader will give you tremendous water savings. Just have to make sure you following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully with regard to sanitizing and cleaning the front loader’s drum (or “basket”) at least monthly. The purpose is to keep mold from growing inside the gaskets, which can be a problem with some front loading washers.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

More from Everyday Cheapskate

What I Prep Once in June to Save Time and Money All Summer

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260611-June-prep-to-save-time-and-money-this-summer-beach-ball-in-pool.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-11 22:51:312026-06-11 22:51:31What I Prep Once in June to Save Time and Money All Summer

The 10-Minute Nighttime Reset That Cools Down Your House

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260610-how-to-cool-down-your-house-at-night-bed-with-window-and-view.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-10 18:37:072026-06-10 18:37:07The 10-Minute Nighttime Reset That Cools Down Your House

How to Read a Grocery Store Sale Cycle (And Stop Overpaying)

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260607-woman-grocery-shopping-pushing-cart-with-apples-and-cauliflower.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-09 23:20:292026-06-09 23:20:29How to Read a Grocery Store Sale Cycle (And Stop Overpaying)

What to Do on Father’s Day: 30 Ideas He’ll Love

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260604-Fathers-Day-activities-on-a-budget-dad-and-daughter-pointing-up-to-clouds-in-the-blue-sky.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-04 21:53:382026-06-04 21:55:20What to Do on Father’s Day: 30 Ideas He’ll Love

How to Keep White Clothes Actually White (Yes, It’s Possible)

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260603-keeping-laundry-white.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-03 19:14:082026-06-03 19:16:53How to Keep White Clothes Actually White (Yes, It’s Possible)

The Best Way to Store Salad Greens and Keep Them Fresh

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260501-bowl-of-salad-how-to-keep-greens-and-lettuce-from-wilting-and-getting-slimey.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-06-01 10:22:382026-06-01 10:24:52The Best Way to Store Salad Greens and Keep Them Fresh

How to Get Rid of a Smelly Kitchen Sink Drain for Good

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260530-bright-contemporary-kitchen-how-to-fix-a-smelly-kitchen-sink-drain.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-05-30 13:19:232026-05-30 13:19:23How to Get Rid of a Smelly Kitchen Sink Drain for Good

Hurricane Prep on a Budget: What You Actually Need Before June 1

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260523-hurricane-season-prep-warning-sign-with-dark-cloudy-sky-in-background.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-05-23 14:36:062026-05-23 14:36:08Hurricane Prep on a Budget: What You Actually Need Before June 1

Memorial Day Activities: How to Honor the Fallen

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/20260522-how-to-honor-and-remember-memorial-day-flags-in-grass.png 800 1200 Mary Hunt https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/wp-content/uploads/EC-Logo-by-Mary-Hunt-Tagline-Trimmed.png Mary Hunt2026-05-22 15:16:422026-05-22 15:18:55Memorial Day Activities: How to Honor the Fallen

Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.

Originally published at everydaycheapskate.com.