What Is a Typical Scratch and Dent Discount

If you are a bargain hunter like many savvy individuals, then scratch and dent discounts are your pot of gold. The ability to fill a home with high-performing appliances for below-budget prices—who would turn that down?

But how far below budget the prices will go depends on a few factors. Let’s investigate how these discounts fluctuate and if there is wiggle room for negotiating the best price.

In general, scratch and dent discounts can range between 15-50%. Higher than 60% is rare, and lower than 10% may not be worthwhile. The discount depends on the extent of damage, how long the item remains unsold, who is selling the item, and what it is.

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Average Scratch and Dent Discount

It can be difficult to provide an average discount for scratch and dent appliances because of all the factors that can influence the appliance’s price.

However, it will range between 15% to about 50%. Some devices may even be discounted up to 60%. Higher than this is very rare. Lower than 10% might not be worth it.

Factors That Determine Discount

Extent of Damage

Now, all scratch and dent appliances only have cosmetic damage, which should not interfere with function.

So, when we are talking about the extent of the damage, we mean how many dings, dents, or scratches are on the external surface or how big they are.

A small scratch or two won’t likely get you more than a 20% discount. But anything more than that will get you more off.

Appliances showroom with a 20 percent discount sign

While none of the items can be sold as brand new, the manufacturers or third-party sellers know that people are more likely to buy items with less damage, so they give smaller discounts to increase their losses.

Before you buy a heavily discounted item, make sure that you are willing to live with the damage or that you have a way of covering or repairing it. You don’t want a repaired scratch and dent fridge that ends up costing the same as a brand new, mint-condition one would have.

How Long the Product Remains Unsold

The longer an item sits in a store unsold, the more likely the sellers are going to lower the price.

The retailer would prefer to utilize their floor space for newer appliances and would find it easier to lower the price to get rid of unwanted stock, especially if it is for an item that is not in high demand.

It is better to sell the item at a much lower price than to not sell it at all and pay for ongoing holding costs.

In addition, the longer a retailer keeps unwanted stock the more outdated appliances become and people are more interested in purchasing more modern models as it may be easier to purchase parts for them and repair them in the future.

Where You Buy the Item

Generally, scratch and dent appliances and furniture are sold by third-party retailers and not the manufacturers themselves. The applied discount can vary between retailers and cities.

So, location plays a huge role in what the retailer will be to take for an item.

If the items are priced to high for the economic class that patronizes the store, then the retailed is not going to make any money. Rather discount the scratch and dent appliance enough to be affordable for the people. That way, the retailer is guaranteed to make money.

This is less likely for chain retailers, however, as discounts need to be as consistent as possible in such stores.

Smaller and independent retailers with fewer overheads may be able to offer larger discounts. Even online retailers may provide higher discounts for the same reasons.

Seller wearing an orange shirt explaining the cooking range specifications to a couple

What the Item is

If the item is a popular brand, the discount on the item may not be as low as an item that isn’t as sought-after.

People may end up paying the same for these as they would for a new, less high-end appliance, but they will be able to say that they have the high-end one.

Then there is also the matter of what the appliance is. Everyone uses a fridge but not everyone will be interested in a stationary bicycle.

Are the Prices Negotiable?

In some stores, the prices can be negotiable. Chain retailers are not your best bet. Rather aim for the independent stores.

Stores that pay their staff on commission could be more open to negotiation or less. It really depends on how many sales they need to make, how close they are to their target, and even how popular the item is.

If they are really close to their target and your low-ball offer will help them hit it, they may reduce the price. You are less likely to succeed if you are trying to barter for the high-end piece that they are relying on to kickstart them on their sales targets.