One shopper landed a Bosch 800 refrigerator for $1,382.42 after agreeing to overlook three barely visible dings and make a three-hour round trip to pick it up.
The open-box find at Best Buy followed months of research and repeated repairs to keep a failing refrigerator running.
Here's what to know
In a post on Reddit's r/Frugal community, the shopper shared that the purchase came with 0% financing for 24 months. Under most lighting, it was hard to see the cosmetic damage confined to the left door.
Before buying, the shopper spent months reading about the Bosch model, including recommendations in Reddit's r/BuyItForLife community. That made them feel much better about the purchase than the Samsung fridge they were replacing.
"At the time, it seemed like we got everything pretty cheap, but with how unreliable all of it has been, we certainly did not," the original poster wrote of that appliance. "That's why this time I made sure to really research it and get something good."
Another Bosch owner congratulated them.
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"I think I paid close to four grand for mine," they wrote. "So big kudos on that deal."
More background
Bundling several appliances from Samsung was what roped the shopper into buying their previous refrigerator. Those savings are easily undermined if the product needs endless repairs.
Other commenters shared examples of appliances that had held up over time.
Listing photos from a later sale of a former home showed one commenter that their old Sears Kenmore appliances were still there. The full set, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, stove, and microwave, had been purchased in 2001, and the commenter had moved out in 2021.
What can be done?
Shipping savings on the order helped offset the burden of the three-hour refrigerator pickup trip. While making the drive, the shopper stocked up at a supplier for their business.
The deal also offered an appeal familiar to people who enjoy shopping at thrift stores. Shoppers can find valuable items at discounted prices and spend less on everyday necessities, especially if they are willing to venture a little further and overlook some of the minor wear and tear.
One practical suggestion in the comments concerned the warranty, with a poster urging the buyer to register the appliance online.
Another commenter suggested the original poster could have swung for an even bigger deal.
They wrote, "Fun fact: open box items at Best Buy, you can negotiate the cost. Especially if you apply for their credit card. You don't have to get approved, just apply. But they do offer two to three years of no interest payments."
Where can I learn more?
Repair costs, reliability, and electricity use all factor into whether a refrigerator is a good deal.
• When an eight-year-old refrigerator died, the repair advice was to buy a new one.
• A refrigerator owner faced two compressor failures after spending $3,000 on a refrigerator.
• Consumer Reports found top-freezer refrigerators generally cost less to run as energy prices rise.
• An older Kenmore refrigerator sparked debate over electricity costs after earning a condo spot.
• A collector flipped a 72-year-old Westinghouse refrigerator upside down and praised its durability.
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