What Are Scratch and Dent Appliances? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve been shopping for a new refrigerator, washer, dryer, or dishwasher and felt stunned by the prices, you’ve probably come across the term “scratch and dent appliances.” It sounds like damaged goods. It sounds risky. And for a lot of shoppers, that’s where the research stops — which is a shame, because scratch and dent appliances are one of the best deals in the entire retail market.

Here’s what the term actually means, how the damage happens, and why millions of shoppers are saving thousands of dollars on brand-new appliances without sacrificing quality, performance, or warranty coverage.

What “Scratch and Dent” Means

A scratch and dent appliance is a brand-new, never-used product that has minor cosmetic imperfections on its exterior. The appliance was manufactured, quality-tested, and shipped just like every other unit on the production line. At some point between the factory and the retail showroom, it picked up a visible mark — a scratch, a dent, a scuff, or a ding — that prevents it from being sold as cosmetically perfect at full retail price.

The key distinction is that the damage is purely cosmetic. The internal components — the compressor in a refrigerator, the motor in a washer, the heating element in a dryer, the pump in a dishwasher — are completely unaffected. The appliance works exactly the same as a full-price unit. It just doesn’t look flawless on the outside.

Because manufacturers and retailers can’t sell these units as “new in perfect condition,” they get rerouted to scratch and dent dealers, outlet stores, and appliance liquidators who pass the savings along to consumers.

How the Damage Happens

Cosmetic damage can occur at several points in the supply chain, and understanding the causes helps explain why the damage is almost always superficial.

During shipping. This is the most common source. Appliances are large, heavy objects that travel hundreds or thousands of miles by truck. Even with careful packaging, a bump during loading, a sudden stop in transit, or a forklift nick at a distribution center can leave a dent or scratch. The damage is typically on the back, sides, or top of the unit — not the front panel.

During warehouse handling. Distribution warehouses process thousands of appliances. Units get shifted, stacked, and repositioned constantly. A scratch from a neighboring unit’s edge or a dent from a warehouse rack is common. Again, these marks are cosmetic and don’t reach the internal components.

Overstock and discontinued models. Sometimes “scratch and dent” inventory includes units that are technically cosmetically perfect but can’t be sold at full price because the model has been discontinued or the retailer has too much stock. These are essentially new appliances at a discount with no damage at all.

Packaging damage. Occasionally the appliance itself is fine, but the original packaging was damaged enough that a retailer won’t accept it as new inventory. The unit gets reclassified and sent to discount channels even though there may be minimal or no actual cosmetic damage.

What the Damage Actually Looks Like

This is where most shoppers are pleasantly surprised. The term “scratch and dent” sounds worse than the reality.

A typical scratch is a thin surface mark on a side panel, back, or top — the kind of thing you might accidentally do yourself moving the appliance into your kitchen. A typical dent is a shallow depression, often smaller than a golf ball, usually on a non-visible surface. Scuffs and paint chips are also common and are similarly minor.

In many cases, the cosmetic damage is on the side or back of the appliance — surfaces that are completely hidden once the unit is installed between cabinets or against a wall. Some shoppers buy scratch and dent appliances and genuinely cannot find the damage once the unit is in place.

That said, damage severity varies. Some units have front-panel dents or visible scratches that you’ll see every day. The discount on those units is typically steeper. The best approach is to inspect every unit in person and decide what you can live with — our inspection checklist walks you through exactly what to look for.

How Much You Can Save

Scratch and dent appliances typically sell for 30% to 70% off the original retail price. The exact discount depends on the brand, the model, and the severity of the cosmetic damage.

In real dollars, that means a French door refrigerator that retails for $2,500 might sell for $1,000 to $1,750. A washer-dryer pair priced at $2,000 new could cost $800 to $1,400. A dishwasher that lists for $900 might be $350 to $600.

For a full kitchen setup — refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and maybe a microwave — the total savings can easily reach $2,000 to $5,000 compared to buying everything at retail. That’s a significant chunk of a kitchen renovation budget.

To understand whether those savings make sense for your situation, our guide to whether scratch and dent appliances are worth it breaks down the pros, cons, and decision-making framework.

Warranty Coverage

This is the question that stops most first-time buyers, and the answer is almost always better than expected.

Because scratch and dent appliances are new and have never been used, most still carry the full manufacturer’s warranty. Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, and other major brands warrant their products against defects in materials and workmanship — not against cosmetic imperfections. A dent on the side panel doesn’t void your warranty for a compressor failure or an electrical issue.

Warranty terms vary slightly depending on where you buy. Manufacturer-authorized outlets almost always include the full factory warranty. Independent scratch and dent retailers usually pass through the manufacturer warranty and may add their own store warranty on top. Liquidation sales occasionally sell as-is with no warranty — these offer the steepest discounts but require more caution.

The rule of thumb: always ask about warranty before buying, and always get the terms in writing.

Where to Find Scratch and Dent Appliances

There are several places to shop, and each offers a slightly different experience.

Dedicated scratch and dent stores are independent dealers that specialize in cosmetically imperfect appliances. They offer the deepest discounts (30-70% off), carry multiple brands, and typically have new inventory arriving weekly. These are the go-to destination for serious savings. We’ve verified more than 728 scratch and dent stores across all 50 states plus DC — browse them all in our store directory.

Manufacturer outlet stores are operated by brands like Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool to sell their own cosmetically imperfect and discontinued models. Discounts are more modest (20-40%) but warranty coverage is straightforward.

Big-box retailer clearance sections at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy sometimes include scratch and dent units alongside open-box returns and floor models. Selection is inconsistent but worth checking.

Online retailers occasionally list scratch and dent appliances, though buying sight-unseen means you can’t inspect the damage before purchasing. In-person shopping is strongly recommended for scratch and dent.

For detailed guidance on finding stores in your area, including what to search for, how to evaluate a store before visiting, and what to ask when you call, see our guide to finding scratch and dent stores near you.

The Bottom Line

Scratch and dent appliances are brand-new, fully functional products from major manufacturers, sold at significant discounts because of minor cosmetic imperfections. The damage is surface-level, the performance is identical to full-price models, and the warranty usually comes with it.

For budget-conscious shoppers, landlords, renovators, and anyone who’d rather spend their money on something other than a flawless appliance exterior, scratch and dent is one of the smartest purchasing strategies available.

Ready to find stores near you? Browse our directory of 728+ verified stores across all 50 states and start saving.

Find Scratch & Dent Stores Near You

Browse our directory of 728+ verified stores across 51 states.