Does Home Depot Buy Used Appliances? (Try This Instead…)
The short answer is no, Home Depot does not directly buy back used appliances from customers as of 2022. However, they do offer haul-away services for removing old appliances when you purchase new ones in-store.
So while you can‘t trade in or sell your used refrigerator, washer, dryer or other appliances to Home Depot, you do have various alternative options for conveniently and profitably getting rid of your old units.
Keep reading this 2800+ word guide to learn everything about Home Depot‘s appliance offerings, their haul-away program details and restrictions, what it costs, and the best places to sell or donate used appliances instead.
Overview of Home Depot‘s Appliance Selection
With over 2,200 locations across North America, Home Depot is one of the largest appliance retailers around. They offer a huge range of brand name kitchen, laundry, HVAC and other home appliances both in stores and online.
Some key facts about Home Depot‘s massive appliance selection:
Carries over 3,500 total appliance models across their stores and website.
Offers budget-friendly basic models up to high-end smart appliances.
Price range spans from under $200 for a basic microwave up to $4,000+ for premium built-in refrigerators.
Top brands include LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Bosch, Maytag and more.
Sold over 15 million major home appliances in 2020 according to their latest investor report.
In addition to new appliance sales, Home Depot also offers delivery, installation, repair services and extended warranties on purchases. So they provide a full suite of appliance-related offerings – except for buying back your used items.
Next, let‘s look at how their haul-away program works for removing old appliances when delivering new ones.
How Home Depot‘s Appliance Haul-Away Service Works
Home Depot does not buy used appliances directly from customers. However, they do offer a haul-away service for removing your old appliances when you purchase replacement models from their stores. Here are key details on how it works:
Haul-away is only available when buying a similar new appliance from Home Depot – fridge for fridge, washer for washer, etc.
The old unit must be in the same room where the new appliance is being installed. For example, old refrigerator in the kitchen when getting a new kitchen fridge delivered.
Home Depot does not haul away old appliances standalone without a new delivery – you must buy the replacement from them.
The service is performed by Home Depot‘s third-party delivery and install partners, not Home Depot employees themselves. Policies can vary slightly by provider.
Built-in appliances like ovens or dishwashers must be properly disconnected beforehand to qualify for haul away. Freestanding units can be directly removed.
Common appliances eligible include refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners. Smaller countertop appliances generally don‘t qualify.
There may be additional charges for hauling away multiple appliances, heavier custom units like Sub Zeros, or longer haul distances in rural areas.
Any old appliances containing hazardous materials cannot be removed by Home Depot per regulations. This includes units with old refrigerants like Freon or mercury switches.
So in summary, while convenient when making a new matching appliance purchase, Home Depot‘s haul away service does have quite a few restrictions and limitations to be aware of. Having those key details spelled out upfront prevents any surprises or confusion down the road.
You‘ll also want to understand what this convenient haul-away costs before deciding whether to use it.
What Home Depot Charges for Removing Old Appliances
When purchasing a new appliance from Home Depot, having them haul away your old appliance comes at an added cost on top of the base delivery and installation fees.
The exact pricing can vary a bit by location and their third-party install partners. But typically expect to pay a haul-away fee of around $25 per appliance on average.
Here‘s an overview of standard per-unit pricing to have Home Depot haul away common used appliances:
- Used refrigerator – $25
- Used washer or dryer – $25 each
- Used washer/dryer set – $50 total
- Used dishwasher – $25
- Used microwave – $25
- Used room AC unit – $25
For comparison, hiring an independent hauling company just for appliance removal would cost anywhere from $50 – $150 on average for a single appliance. So bundling haul away with a new purchase can represent some savings, essentially offsetting about half the cost.
Home Depot may also charge additional fees for hauling away:
- Multiple appliances – $25 per appliance
- Extra large or heavy units – $25-$50 surcharge
- Long distance hauls from rural areas – $1-$2 per mile
So while not free, using Home Depot‘s haul-away can be cheaper and more convenient than hiring a separate appliance removal service after the fact. But for even more savings and cash back, you may want to consider selling or donating your used appliances instead.
Best Places to Sell Used Appliances Other Than Home Depot
Since Home Depot doesn‘t buy back used appliances directly, where are some other great options for selling your old refrigerators, washers, dryers and other household appliances?
Online Marketplaces
Selling used appliances through online peer-to-peer platforms has become extremely popular thanks to the wide reach and convenience. Here are some top options:
Facebook Marketplace – List appliances locally for free. Easy to coordinate pickup. Over 1 billion active users provides huge potential reach.
Craigslist – Long-running classifieds site well-suited for bulky used appliances. Also free to list in your city.
eBay – More niche for appliances but still possible. Provides wider reach outside your area but may require shipping.
OfferUp – Mobile-focused platform makes selling appliances quick and easy. Like a streamlined Craigslist.
VarageSale – Specialized Canadian site with local pickup makes it ideal for used appliances. Low 3.5% selling fee.
The advantage of these platforms is you can conveniently list the used appliance from home for local pickup, meeting the buyer in a public place once sold. This avoids the difficult logistics and fees of trying to ship full-size appliances.
Be sure to take plenty of good quality photos showcasing your used washer, fridge, etc and provide detailed descriptions to attract buyers. Research competitive pricing but consider reasonable offers.
And take basic precautions meeting strangers like bringing a friend and avoiding entering homes or isolated places during pickup. Overall, selling online elimates the hassle while providing a wider potential buyer reach.
In-Person and Local Options
If wanting to keep the used appliance sale more local, some other options include:
Garage or Yard Sale – Time-tested way to attract neighborhood buyers already looking for good deals.
Consignment Stores – Some decor and appliance resellers offer commission-based consignment, taking a cut of the final sale price.
Classified Newspaper Ads – Still have some reach locally, especially with older demographics less active online.
"We Buy Appliances" Companies – Some small businesses specialize in buying up used appliances to resell, though often at lower prices.
Donate For Resale – Charities like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity accept some used appliances to resell in their stores.
Selling used appliances in-person takes more time and effort but can connect you with serious local buyers. Meet in a safe public place or invite them to your home at your discretion.
Whichever platforms or methods you use, be sure to research and compare pricing to set fair asking prices for your used items.
Typical Used Appliance Resale Value
Used appliances can vary widely in resale value based on age, condition, brand, and features. But here are some typical pricing ranges to expect:
| Appliance | Resale Price Range |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $100 – $600 |
| Washing Machine | $75 – $400 |
| Clothes Dryer | $75 – $350 |
| Dishwasher | $50 – $250 |
| Microwave | $25 – $100 |
Higher-end brands like Sub-Zero, Bosch, Viking etc and newer models tend to command higher resale prices closer to 50% or more of original retail pricing.
More budget or older appliances will be at the lower end of these used resale price ranges. But you can maximize value by thoroughly cleaning and making any minor repairs prior to selling.
When setting an asking price, research comparable active listings on various platforms to price competitively while still getting a good return. Consider reasonable offers but avoid going much lower than market value.
Tips for Getting the Best Price Selling Used Appliances Yourself
To maximize the potential resale value when selling used appliances on your own, here are some top tips:
Clean thoroughly inside and out – Scrub away grime buildup to make it look as close to new as possible.
Make minor repairs – Fix basic issues like broken handles, rattling fans or worn seal gaskets.
Take well-lit, quality photos – Get multiple angles highlighting the make, model and condition.
Write detailed descriptions – Note appliance specs, dimensions, features and explain current condition.
Research competitive pricing – Check current comparable listings to price accordingly.
Consider reasonable offers – Negotiate a bit for serious buyers but avoid going too low.
Offer local pick-up – Provide a safe, public and convenient meetup location.
Use secure payment methods – Accept PayPal, cash, or other payments avoiding checks/Wester Union.
Putting in this bit of effort goes a long way to attracting buyers and getting the best price. But if dealing with selling yourself sounds unappealing, donating used appliances is also a great option.
Where You Can Donate Used Appliances
Instead of trying to sell your used refrigerators, washers and other appliances, consider donating them to a charitable organization. Here are some top places that accept used appliance donations:
The Salvation Army – They resell donated appliances to fund rehabilitation programs and other services.
Goodwill – Similar to Salvation Army, Goodwill accepts appliances in good condition to resell at their retail stores.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Donated appliances help fund Habitat‘s mission to build affordable housing.
Local Churches or Shelters – Many churches and shelters accept used appliance donations for local families in need.
Appliance Recycling Centers – For broken appliances, recycling centers will accept them and safely dispose of hazardous components.
The benefit of donating appliances is being able to quickly drop off or arrange a free pickup while getting a tax deduction for the appraised value. This can easily offset the cost of purchasing the replacement appliance.
Be sure to call the charity ahead of time to confirm they accept used appliance donations and arrange drop-off or pickup logistics before heading over.
Should I Sell or Donate My Used Appliances?
Trying to decide between selling or donating your used appliances? Here‘s an overview of some key pros and cons to consider for each option:
Selling Yourself
Pros:
Earn extra cash directly from the sale
Potential for higher resale value vs. tax deduction
Avoid moving and hauling away the unit yourself
Cons:
Time and effort for listings, coordinating pickups, etc.
No guarantee of getting your full asking price
Paying selling fees on some third-party platforms
Donating to Charity
Pros:
Get a tax deduction for the appraised value
Avoid hassles of selling yourself
Satisfaction of supporting a good cause
Cons:
Typically lower value than direct resale
Need to drop off or arrange pickup
No guarantee appliance is reused or recycled
Let‘s compare some estimated values on common used appliances as an example:
| Appliance | Resale Value | Tax Deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Used Refrigerator | $200 | $150 |
| Used Washer | $150 | $100 |
| Used Dryer | $125 | $75 |
For many people, the easier route and goodwill of donating used appliances outweighs the potentially higher dollars earned from direct resale. But carefully weigh the pros and cons for your specific situation.
The Bottom Line
While Home Depot doesn‘t buy back used appliances directly, I hope this guide provided you with a comprehensive overview of all the alternative options to conveniently and profitably dispose of your old refrigerators, washers, dryers and more.
To recap, you can either:
Pay Home Depot‘s haul-away fees when buying a replacement appliance
Sell appliances yourself through online marketplaces or local ads
Donate old appliances to charitable organizations in need
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share more tips and advice on getting rid of used appliances from my years of experience.
