Are Whirlpool's Closeout Kitchen Appliances Worth Buying?

If you've ever shopped for kitchen appliances on Whirlpool's website, you might have noticed an interesting outlet section called "closeout." Immediately upon checking it out, you can see that the product selection is limited and the prices are discounted. Although that's usually a good thing, you might worry about the quality of these closeout products. Rest assured, Whirlpool's closeout section sells brand-new appliances, not previously owned or refurbished kitchen appliances. They're simply older, discontinued models that were never sold and remain in stock. As such, they're totally worth the purchase.

Large appliances are usually a long-term commitment, and given that the average lifespan of Whirlpool refrigerators is over a decade, purchasing one from the closeout section at a heavy discount would count as a good deal. You're getting a brand-new appliance that's never been used, straight from the manufacturer — and it comes with the exact same warranty and return policy as the appliances from the main sales section. The difference can be a couple hundred dollars, which is significant. For example, a 36-inch side-by-side fridge is listed for $1,679 in the closeout section, while a similar model with a smaller capacity is priced at $2,054 in the regular lineup.

As previously mentioned, the biggest pro of shopping the closeout section is the opportunity to save money on kitchen appliances that are brand new. This can be a game-changer for renovations, when you have to invest in multiple appliances at once. Because these discontinued models have been on the market for some time, you have the opportunity to read through customer reviews, something that's not really an option with a brand-new model.

One huge downside of the closeout section, however, is the limited stock. In the dishwasher category, only six models were available at the time of this writing. The refrigerator category offered a bit more with 25 models to choose from, but the available appliances also depend on your location. Needless to say, this limitation narrows your options, especially if you're looking for specific must-have features for your home.

If you don't have to buy a new appliance immediately, biding your time and waiting for the closeout section to update might be a good strategy. Large companies such as Whirlpool usually release new models on a yearly basis, and that's when some older models get discontinued. Keep an eye out for  announcements of new models, and have that be your sign to check out the updated closeout section.