Scratch and Dent Appliances in Boise: Measure Twice, Save Hundreds

Answer capsule

Scratch and dent appliances are new appliances sold for less because of a cosmetic flaw or because a customer returned them. Shopping for them in Boise comes down to whether the unit fits, where the blemish sits, and who stands behind it after the sale. Measure the space and the hookup before you shop, ask why the unit is discounted, and buy from a local store that delivers and installs what it sells. Every appliance at Second Chance Appliance is new, and every one comes with a warranty.

What scratch and dent really means

These are not used appliances. Nobody has cooked on the range or run a load through the washer. A unit lands at our store for one of a few ordinary reasons.

• A cosmetic blemish. A scratch on a side panel or a small dent picked up in a warehouse or on a delivery truck. The appliance works exactly as the manufacturer built it.
• A customer return. Someone ordered the wrong size, and the refrigerator would not fit the opening.
• The wrong color or finish. The buyer wanted stainless and white arrived, or the new range did not match the rest of the kitchen.

Big retailers cannot put those units back on the floor at full price. That is where the savings come from, and that is the second chance in our name.

Why scratch and dent makes sense in the Treasure Valley

A new refrigerator, washer, or range is a significant purchase. A new appliance with a mark on the side does the same daily job for less, and in most kitchens the flaw ends up against a cabinet or a wall where nobody sees it.

Scratch and dent appliances fit several situations especially well.

• Older Boise homes. Houses in the North End, the Bench, and older parts of Garden City were built around cabinet openings and laundry closets that do not always match today's standard sizes. A returned unit in a less common size can be exactly the right fit.
• Rental properties. A new, warranted appliance keeps a rental occupied without a showroom price tag.
• First homes and starter kitchens. You can put money toward the mortgage instead of paying full retail for a perfect side panel.
• Moves and transitions. Families between homes need dependable appliances quickly and without overspending.
• Garages, basements, and second kitchens. A garage fridge or a basement freezer does not need a flawless finish to be useful.

A new appliance with a warranty beats a bargain from a stranger's driveway. That is the difference between saving money and rolling the dice.

Measure these five things before you shop

The most common mistake in appliance shopping is falling in love with a unit that does not fit. It is also the reason many returned appliances end up in our showroom. Bring these measurements with you.

1. Width. Measure the opening at its narrowest point, not at the door frame.
2. Height. Include any upper cabinet or counter overhang. Refrigerators need clearance above for doors and hinges.
3. Depth. Measure from the back wall to the front of the counter, and account for water lines and plugs behind the unit.
4. Door swing and clearance. Refrigerator doors, oven doors, and dryer doors all need room to open. Walk the path a fully open door will take.
5. The delivery path. Measure doorways, hallways, stair turns, and elevator openings. An appliance that fits the kitchen but not the staircase is a problem.

Write the numbers on your phone or a piece of paper and bring them to the showroom. Photos of the space help too, especially of the hookups.

Know your hookups

Fit is only half the equation. The connections behind the appliance have to match.

• Ranges and ovens. Gas and electric models are not interchangeable without work. Check whether your home has a gas valve or a 240-volt outlet.
• Dryers. Electric dryers use either a 3-prong or 4-prong cord, and the cord has to match your outlet. Gas dryers need a gas line and proper venting.
• Refrigerators. An ice maker or water dispenser needs a working water line behind the unit.
• Dishwashers. Check whether the old unit was hardwired or plugged in, and confirm the water supply and drain connections.
• Venting. Dryers need a clear, well-fitted vent run to the outside. A crushed or lint-clogged vent is a fire risk and a performance problem.

If you are not sure what you have, take a photo of the outlet, valve, or hookup area. Our team can tell you what will work before you buy.

What to look for on the showroom floor

Two honest expectations to set.

• The flaw is cosmetic. Ask us to show you the blemish, then picture where it will sit once the appliance is installed. A dent on the left side of a refrigerator disappears when that side faces a cabinet.
• Inventory changes constantly. We sell what comes available, so the exact model you saw last week may be gone. If you find the right fit at the right price, it is worth moving on it.

Ask why a unit is discounted. We will tell you whether it was a return, a color mix-up, or a shipping mark.

Second Chance Appliance is locally owned and family operated, with veteran and woman leadership and more than two decades of experience in the appliance business. The store opened its Boise showroom in March 2026 at 12331 West Franklin Road.

Scratch and dent, full retail, or secondhand?

For most Treasure Valley households replacing a single appliance, a new scratch and dent unit from a local store offers the best balance of price, reliability, and support.

Warranty, delivery, and removal

Buying local matters most after the sale, when a question or problem comes up. Second Chance Appliance supports what it sells.

• A warranty on all products, with extended warranty plans for extra peace of mind.
• Same-day delivery options across the Treasure Valley, with professional installation available so the unit is connected, leveled, and running before we leave.
• Delivery and removal of your old appliance, so you are not stuck figuring out haul-away.
• Appliance loaners for situations where a repair or replacement leaves you without a working unit.

Repair first? Sometimes that is the better call

If your current appliance is only a few years old and the problem is a single failed part, repair is usually the smarter spend. Our sister company, Quality Appliance, has been repairing appliances in the Boise area since 2003 and offers same or next-day service. You can reach their appliance repair team at (208) 345-6800. If the repair quote starts approaching the price of a new scratch and dent unit, that is the moment to compare.

If you are selling a Boise home

Old appliances are one of the most common reasons a home sale gets complicated. If you are selling as-is and do not want to repair, replace, or haul anything, EasySale buys homes across the Treasure Valley in their current condition. You leave what you do not want, and they handle the rest after closing. Their as-is home sale page explains how the process works.

Come see the inventory

Measurements in hand, questions ready. Our showroom is at 12331 West Franklin Road, Boise, ID 83709. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (208) 289-0011 to ask about current inventory or request more information before you visit.

Frequently asked questions

Are scratch and dent appliances new? Yes. They are new appliances with a cosmetic blemish, or new units a customer returned because of the wrong size, color, or finish. They have not been used in a home.

Where can I buy scratch and dent appliances in Boise? Second Chance Appliance on West Franklin Road serves Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, and the surrounding Treasure Valley.

Are scratch and dent appliances worth it? For most households, yes. You get a new appliance for less than full retail, and the flaw is often hidden once the unit is installed.

Do scratch and dent appliances come with a warranty? All products at Second Chance Appliance include a warranty, and extended warranty plans are available. Ask what the warranty covers on the unit you choose.

Can I get my old appliance removed? Yes. Delivery and removal services are available so the old unit leaves when the new one arrives.

What if the appliance I buy does not fit? That is why we ask you to measure first. Bring your measurements and photos, and our team will confirm the fit before you buy.