Scratch & Dent, Like New, Salvage: Decoding Common Appliance Conditions

New, scratch & dent, salvage: these are all terms used to describe liquidation appliance merchandise across B-Stock’s network of appliance marketplaces. While each retailer and/or manufacturer will apply these terms a little differently when it comes to their product, we want to take a moment to highlight some of the more common condition descriptions used across our network, and what they mean. 

Common Liquidation Appliance Conditions

New

These appliances could be entering the secondary market as end-of-life (EOL), clearance or new-in-box inventory. These units have zero damage, are fully functional, and are still in the original factory carton.

Like New

These units may or may not be in the original factory carton, but a majority of the unit is still protected with corner boards and/or wrapped in a protective film. If the merchandise is in the original box, the packaging could be damaged. This inventory could have minor cosmetic damage or light use, but all units will be operational.

Scratch & Dent

This definition covers a broad range of inventory. This includes a customer return based on noise level or color preference, to buyers remorse, to a non-functioning unit. Additionally, inventory may or may not have cosmetic damage. Depending on the marketplace, scratch & dent appliances can include: units that were never delivered to a customer, units that have gone through a full inspection and work perfectly, to untested units that may have functionality issues. Each marketplace has its own categorization of scratch & dent, so be sure to read the “conditions page” carefully.

Customer Returns

Inventory categorized in this condition runs the gamut. Units in this class may include fully operational units which a customer exchanged due to customer preference (i.e. color or size) to units that were reported defective and needing repair. These units have been returned by customers but have not been inspected or repaired by a factory trained technician– they are sold “as is.” Original packaging may be damaged or more likely missing altogether. B-Stock guarantees, however, that if units aren’t in the original packaging they will be corner boarded and shrink-wrapped prior to shipping.

Salvage

This condition of inventory refers to damaged items that may not be functional. Generally, this inventory has been completely written off by the retailer as beyond repairable. Units will have significant cracks, scuffs and dents, broken glass, and missing parts. Merchandise is highly used, not in original packaging and may or may not be working. 

Keep in mind, because each retailer or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) has its own marketplace, descriptions will differ. It’s ultimately up to you, as a buyer, to read and understand each marketplace’s own set of conditions, which can be found on each marketplace. 

To learn more about sourcing liquidation appliance inventory, be sure to read A Guide to Buying Liquidation Appliances. We invite you to check out all of B-Stock’s big-name appliance retailer and manufacturer marketplaces.