New website says refurbished appliances could save you hundreds - we checked the prices
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Remarkit says refurbished and “saved” washing machines, fridges and tumble dryers can offer better value than buying new. We compared several of its prices with major retailers to see how the savings stack up.
A new website claims households can save serious money by choosing refurbished and “saved” washing machines, fridges and tumble dryers instead of buying new.
Remarkit is a new UK marketplace bringing together professionally refurbished, returned and graded household appliances from different sellers, with products from brands including Bosch, Samsung, Hotpoint, AEG, Beko and Hoover.
But do the prices actually stack up?
NationalWorld checked several appliances listed through the newly launched marketplace against the same models available elsewhere - and found some decent savings, but also a reminder that shoppers should still compare prices before buying.
One of the biggest apparent bargains was an AEG RCB732E7MG fridge freezer, priced at £749.99 on the marketplace, plus £35 delivery.
AEG currently sells the same model for £1,199.99, which would make the Remarkit appliance more than £400 cheaper even after delivery.
But that is not the whole story.
Independent retailer Joe Graham is currently selling the same fridge freezer brand new for £799.99, down from £1,199.99. That means the saving against another available new price is far smaller.
The comparison became even more interesting with an AEG TR848A4B2 heat-pump tumble dryer.
It was listed at £699.99 through the refurbished and graded-appliance market. AO currently charges £829 for the same machine for non-members, or £849 including its estimated delivery charge, making the cheaper listing look attractive.
But another electrical retailer, PJW Electrics, was selling the same model for £619.99 - actually £80 less than the graded appliance price before delivery was added.
There were clearer savings on some lower-priced appliances.
A Hoover HBWS48D1W4-80 integrated washing machine was available for £329.99 through the graded-appliance market. B&Q currently lists exactly the same model at £399, plus £15 delivery, meaning a potential saving of around £49 after a £35 delivery charge is taken into account.
So the verdict from our spot check is fairly straightforward: there are savings to be found, but “refurbished” or “saved” does not automatically mean cheapest.
Some products on Remarkit are genuinely refurbished appliances, while others are unused “saved” stock which may have damaged packaging or cosmetic imperfections.
Products are graded from A to C according to their appearance, and Remarkit says every appliance is tested and working and comes with a 12-month warranty.
That warranty could make the service more appealing than buying second-hand privately, while customers can also arrange delivery, connection and removal of an old appliance.
Remarkit founder Eleanor Bucks said buying a refurbished washing machine or fridge should be “just as easy as buying a new one, and potentially a lot better value”.
Our price check suggests that final word matters.
There can be substantial savings against manufacturers’ recommended or direct prices, and some savings against major retailers too. But sale prices elsewhere can wipe out the advantage - and occasionally make a brand-new appliance cheaper.
For anyone considering one, the sensible approach remains to search the exact model number and compare the total price, including delivery and installation, before reaching for the credit card.