Who Buys Used Appliances? Answered + How to Sell Them for Cash

Have an old refrigerator, washer, or other appliance that you’re looking to get rid of? Sometimes, you can resell you used appliances and make some extra money to put towards your new one. Even if you can’t find a place to sell your appliance, you might be able to find a company that will pick it up and remove it for free. Here’s who buys used appliances for cash, who will pick up old appliances for free, and more.

Who Buys Used Appliances (Or at Least Pick Them Up for Free)?

No major stores buy used appliances outright; however, plenty do allow you to drop off old appliances, and some will even take away your old appliances for free. It might be part of a recycling initiative, or it could be a complimentary service if you’re purchasing a new appliance from them. Here are national stores that will help you get rid of your old appliances:

1. Best Buy

• Requirements: None
• Cost:
  • Drop off: Free for up to three items per day
  • Haul away: $14.99 when purchasing a replacement product; $99.99 when not purchasing a replacement from Best Buy. Contact your local store to schedule a pickup.
• Accepted materials: From small items such as rechargeable batteries, cell phone, and video games to larger items such as TVs, computers, and household appliances. See the full list of accepted materials.

2. Costco

• Requirements: As part of the complete installation package, Costco will pick up and haul away your old appliance if you’re buying a similar new one. (They’ll take a fridge if you’re buying a fridge, a washer for a washer, etc.)
• Cost: Free
• Accepted materials: Any large item — fridge, washer, dryer, etc. — that you’re replacing with a same-item purchase from Costco.

3. The Home Depot

• Requirements: Home Depot will haul away your old appliances only when you have a new purchase delivered.
• Cost: $0 – $20, depending on location.
• Accepted materials: Most major appliances except for commercial and built-in refrigeration units.

4. Lowe’s

• Requirements: Lowe’s will haul away your old appliances only when you have a new purchase delivered.
• Cost: $15 to haul away and arrange recycling for your old appliance. (Lowe’s doesn’t state this in writing on the lowes.com but according to customer service + reader experience, that’s the rate Lowe’s charges to haul away old appliances. See more about appliance delivery, installation and haul away.)
• Accepted materials: All common major appliances.

5. Sears

• Requirements: You must be replacing your old appliance with a same-item purchase from Sears. Commercial appliances cannot be hauled away.
• Cost: $25 per item for haul away.
• Accepted materials: Any large item — fridge, washer, dryer, etc. — that you’re replacing with a same-item purchase from Sears.

How to Sell Used Appliances for Cash

While major store chains may pick up your used appliances for little to no cost, they’re not going to pay you any money. If you’re looking for someone to buy your used washers, dryers, refrigerators, you’ll have to turn to a local shop or go online.

Find Local Stores

There are plenty of local stores and businesses offering to snap up your used appliances to then repair or refurbish and sell for a profit. To find a local store that may buy your old appliances, first, try looking at some online directories and then call until you find a price or conditions that suits you.

1. Manta

• You may not have heard about Manta, but it’s a good place to start your search. Don’t forget to check out the “More Businesses Like These” menu for a comprehensive list.

2. Yellow Pages

• The first three results on Yellow Pages are sponsored. Pay attention to BBB ratings on Yellow Pages too — they’re a great indicator of store excellence and value.

3. Yelp.com

• You can always find the top local hits on Yelp. Be sure to read customer reviews to see what places are worth paying a visit.
• Remember that the first two results are always ads. Places with a number before (e.g. “1. Cathy’s Best Value Appliances”) are unsponsored results.

If you don’t like any of these options, you can simply Google “who buys used appliances near me?” Look for results like washer and dryer pick up for cash, refrigerator pickup for cash, etc.

If you don’t feel like looking online, you can place an ad in your local paper, on your community news board, or even in your library. Make flyers or even just leave your appliance outside of your home to advertise itself. If you’re trying to sell something, be sure to tell lots of people and who knows where the word of mouth could reach? Young professionals just getting established should be your target audience. Those are the people who will pick up old appliances for free, happily.

Use Sites Online

There are plenty of websites that can help you shift appliances. Here are some of our recommendations on where you can post auctions or classified ads: 

1. Craigslist  

• Don’t forget to check out the “wanted” ads to see if anyone is looking for a used appliance you’re wanting to sell.

2. eBay

• Post your item as an auction or classified ad.

3. Facebook

• See our guide to selling on Facebook

When posting online, remember to focus on good quality photos and a well-written, honest description. Think logistics too — do you have the means to drop off the item (perhaps for an additional fee), or is your buyer going to get it themselves? Look at others’ posts for an inspiration of what to include. If the item doesn’t sell within a few days, remember you can relist the item as necessary.

How to Recycle Old Appliances (Often for Money)

If scrapping your appliances is too much work (understandable), look at these junkyard options:

1. 1-800-Got-Junk?

• Cost: You pay a fee that varies based on how much space the used appliance takes up.
• Accepted materials:  Anything non-hazardous that can be carried between two people.

2. Got Scrap (Only in the South)

• Cost:
  • Drop off: Got Scrap pays you if you drop it off yourself.
  • Haul away: $35
• Accepted materials: All common major appliances made of metal

How to Donate Old Appliances

Want to make sure your old appliances go to a new home and help someone in need? Check out these national non-profits that will happily take your old appliances and may even be able to pick them up from you.

1. Goodwill

• Policy: Most Goodwill stores offer free pickup for your large appliances that may be difficult to transport on your own.

2. Habitat for Humanity

• Policy: Most Habitat for Humanity ReStores offer free pickup for your large appliances that may be difficult to transport on your own.

 3. The Salvation Army

• Policy: Most Salvation Army locations offer free pickup for your large appliances and will allow you to schedule this service online with the link below.

If none of these organizations operate in your town, use the Donation Town pickup finder to locate a nearby organization that will accept your used appliances.

In Summary

Now you know who buys used appliances and how to sell used appliances for cash. Buying a new refrigerator, freezer, or other large appliance can be a challenging process and a huge investment and potentially even more of a hassle. A handful of businesses will either remove them for you for free so they can be donated or recycled. Some places will even pay you for used appliances — out with the old and in with the new and some extra money.